AILA QLD
PO BOX 7342
EAST BRISBANE
QLD 4169
07 3890 2612
qld@aila.org.au
AILA Qld Web Site
President
Chris Boulton
Vice President
Andrea Ryan
Secretary
Katharina
Nieberler-Walker
Treasurer
Penny Hunter
Executive Member
Jean Rousseaux
Executive Member
Nader Ibrahim
State Manager
Lisa Johnston
National Councillors
Mandy Rounsefell
Mark Fuller
.........................
With thanks to our
AILA QLD
State Partners
|
|
President's Message
Chris Boulton AILA |
 |
It has been a very exciting few months with AILA QLD reaching some significant milestones. The efforts of our Queensland members are certainly being noticed at a National level. To start with, the AILA National Awards were recently announced. Well done to all who submitted entries for the 2008 AILA National Awards and congratulations to our winners! How excellent is it to see so many winners from Queensland! This is a true reflection of a great level of hard work, commitment, enthusiasm and courage to push the boundaries and strive for new standards in our profession. A top effort indeed!
The success of our AILA QLD events has also been recognised, with National Council approaching QLD to host this year’s One Day Conference. In recognition of the enthusiasm and success of local events, our AILA Sun group was delighted to take the opportunity as local hosts. Arrangements are in full swing for the conference to be held in November at Coolum – so stay tuned as program and registration details will be released later this month.
We have also seen some great events delivered in the last few months including the second LEAD breakfast, our DISCUSS forum on renewing our urban trees to coincide with National Tree Day, and our CELEBRATE Annual New Member and Fellows Dinner. Plenty of activity also in our regional areas, with events hosted by AILA FNQ, AILA GOLD and AILA SUN – see coordinators reports in this issue. With the commencement of our new State Partnership agreements, we will shortly be releasing our 2008/09 Calendar of Events. Details will be available via our website in the coming month. The Calendar provides a reminder that our own 2009 AILA QLD Project Awards are again not far away. Our organising committee is enthusiastically ensuring arrangements are well underway for a memorable event in 2009.
To see out 2008, there are still plenty of activities for everyone to fill their dance card of events! Later this month we have our LEAD breakfast this month which will focus on effective communication; our DISCUSS forum in October which will be evaluating the benefits and lessons of re-visiting past projects; the One Day Conference in November; and our CELEBRATE which of course is our 2008 Christmas Party. Plenty of opportunities to share, discuss and celebrate together, as well as to meet and catch-up with friends, colleagues and peers from the past, present and future.
Engage! |
|
Upcoming Events
Brisbane
Wednesday Sept 24 Lead – Communication
Tuesday Oct 21 Discuss – Revisiting Past Projects
FNQ
26 September - "The Good and The Bad” Lunch
GOLD
18 Sept –Allied Professionals
SUN
9 October - Breakfast Site Visit
Please click on the payments link to register for any of these events
the AILA pay page
|
|
|
|
|
Re-newing our Urban Trees & Forests Discuss Forum
Penny Hunter AILA
Our second Discuss forum, Re-newing our Urban Trees & Forests, was recently held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre Thursday 24 July. The popular Discuss series has been very well attended to date, with this forum host to 90 landscape architects, nursery managers, landscape contractors and local government representatives.
The three speakers, Ross Clark*, Lyndal Plant** and Dr Greg Moore***, were greeted by a receptive and enquiring group who made the most of the opportunity to openly discuss their issues and ideas with the speakers and with industry colleagues during the forum and also over light refreshments.
The first presenter was Ross Clark, author of the “NATSPEC" published book titled “Specifying Trees: A Guide to the Assessment of Tree Quality”, which has become the landscape industry's strictest standard and essential reference. Ross provided the audience with a well considered overview of the Guide and its advisory tables and illustrated how the various landscape industries stood to gain from applying the book’s guiding principles, with a view to realising the best quality tree and plant stock possible for a project. Anticipating mixed reactions from an audience north of the border, Ross was pleasantly surprised by how his talk was received, particularly from the growers at the event, and not a rotten egg or tomato in sight!
Lyndal Plant, our second speaker, describes herself as an “urban forester” in her current role as Principal Urban Forest Policy Officer with Brisbane City Council’s (BCC) Open Space Planning division. Responsible for ensuring that our urban tree and forest resources, on both public and private land, are recognized, promoted, and maintained as valuable components of Brisbane’s open space, Lyndal shared with us her knowledge on the benefits trees bring to our City. She also provided an insight into the future direction for the design, selection, planting and management of trees in Brisbane City and spoke candidly about the challenges Council’s face in protecting our trees with ever increasing urban development pressures.
Our third and final speaker, Dr Greg Moore, is one of Australia’s foremost experts in urban tree management and arboriculture. With an interest in horticultural plant science and ecology, and a passion for trees, Dr Moore has contributed to the development of Australian Standards in pruning and amenity tree evaluation and has been a keynote speaker at conferences throughout Australasia and North America. An engaging speaker, Dr Moore combined his depth of experience with an inspiring and light-hearted look at the management and conservation of trees and forests in our urban areas.
There was no doubt, that at the end of the forum, the audience was left with an even deeper commitment to a future where our urban trees and forests continue to be the life of our cities, and the legacy of our generation is a network of shaded city streets and suburbs.
Other outcomes from the forum include the formation of an AILA Queensland Trees Committee to provide feedback to BCC on their Draft Tree Protection Guidelines and to the Justice Attorney General’s department on their Trees discussion paper.
|
|
On behalf of AILA Queensland and the audience, thanks enormously to our speakers Ross Clark, Lyndal Plant and Dr Greg Moore. Thanks also to our event sponsors Cardno S.P.L.A.T. and Andreasen’s Green and also to our state partners Eureka Landscapes, Pacific Trees, Street & Garden Furniture and Water by Design for your support.
* Ross graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and has worked continuously in the production and improvement of landscape trees. He is now a leading consultant, adviser and industry spokesperson for improved tree quality and specifications, frequently conducting clinics and seminars and lecturing at educational institutions.
**Lyndal graduated from James Cook University, with a Bachelor of Science (Honours), in 1981; and worked with the Queensland Forestry Department for around seven years. Her passion for arboriculture and urban trees led to the beginning of a long and successful career in local government. Initially with the City of Perth, and now with Brisbane City Council, she has lead significant change in urban tree policy and programs using cutting edge research and strategy development. Receiving a Churchill Fellowship Award in 1995, Lyndal investigated best practice urban tree management throughout South East Asia, the United States and South America. She is currently a board member for the Centre of Subtropical Design.
***Greg was Principal of Burnley College at Melbourne University from 1988 until 2007, prior to this, lecturing in Plant Science and Arboriculture at Burnley since 1979. He was the inaugural president of the International Society of Arboriculture, Australian Chapter and has been a regular guest on Melbourne radio, ABC and 3AW. Greg has been a member of the National Trust of Victoria’s Register of Significant Trees since 1988 and has chaired the committee since 1996; and has been on the Board of Greening Australia (Victoria) since 1989. He also serves on the boards of TreeNet and Sustainable Gardening Australia. He is currently supervising ten post-graduate students and continues to pursue an active research profile as an Associate of the University of Melbourne in any matters that relate to trees in the urban environment. Greg has written one book, contributed to another and has had some 80 papers and articles relating to tree biology and management published.
|
AILA FNQ
Renee Jezard – AILA
‘What’s going on in Townsville?’ was the hot topic for discussion at Townsville’s Rydges Southbank Convention Centre on 24th July. FNQ AILA was very pleased with the turn out, and the event was very well received. A broad cross section of construction and development industry representatives attended including Landscape Architects, Planners, Environmental
Consultants, Developers, Landscape Contractor and representatives from Council.
David Crisafulli (Deputy Mayor Townsville) gave a very insightful seminar on development occurring in Townsville and planned future works, particularly the CBD area.
Walter Smith (Director Place Group Townsville) spoke about Street Trees in the Urban Environment focusing mainly on the benefits of street trees and the constraints that are put upon designers that make it difficult for them to achieve an acceptable outcome for the community.
Glen Power (Associate Senior Landscape Architect Conics Townsville) spoke about ‘landscape + public art’ and Townsville. He elaborated on existing projects that incorporate art in Townsville, and some projects in Brisbane that have used public art in terms of interpretive play, proposed projects including ‘North Shore’ and community / art groups and events that will be taking place over the coming months and year.
|
|
AILA Sun
Carl Safstrom, AILA
On July 24 AILA Sun hosted a presentation by 2005 RAIA Gold Medallist James Birrell entitled "In search of a contemporary regional Landscape, Architecture and Build Environment for the Sunshine Coast". Invitations to the event were extended to allied professionals from RAIA, PIA and the UDIA and the event was well attended by a good cross section of practitioners from across these professions who had an opportunity to network over nibbles and drinks before and after the presentation.
James' presentation utilised an impressive slide show of images of architecture and landscapes from around the globe to challenge his audience to consider the cultural, historic and natural references driving their design and their relation to our region. He drew on the example of contemporary Mexican design and its references to Aztec Architecture and Urban Design and how in doing so a cultural continuity was created using familiar forms and colours that resonate with the national psyche. Also from Mexico and again from Aztec tradition was the example of connecting the overall design with the environment through the creation of vistas and view lines that draw the surrounding natural features into the site. To do this he stressed the need to look outside of the site boundary to the reference points in the landscape beyond and to use these as the driving points for design. The challenge here was put to us to "think big" which he illustrated beautifully by comparing prominent boulevards and avenues around the world with Aerodrome Road (the main road through Maroochydore).
The point I think James was trying to make here was that great places require vision and courage to create and it is important that the building blocks are put into place at the beginning of the process. James used images of iconic buildings and landscapes from around the world to demonstrate the longevity and attraction of well realised design ideals. He challenged us that just as Melbourne's grand architecture and parks (for example the old Exhibition Building) were created during the Victorian mining boom of the 1880 and 90's that now during Queensland's mining boom we should make the most of the good times to realise design ideals without compromise that will become the legacy of this generation for the years to come. As the Sunshine Coast moves from quiet coastal suburbia to bustling metropolis the underlying message was that now is the time to ensure that we plan, design and build for the future we want.
This brings us back to the necessity to develop a contemporary regional design language. James’ images of contemporary design that referenced both natural features and cultural elements in Central American and the South Pacific seemed to me to be the best starting point for developing this language. Examples of Architectural elements that borrowed indigenous patterns & symbology and forms created to mimic sacred natural features once again demonstrated the use of a design language that was culturally significant and easily recognisable.
What I took from the presentation was that in our search for a contemporary regional landscape, architecture and built environment for the Sunshine Coast, James was suggesting that we look to references in nature and our cultural history to find a common design language which will resonate with our community. With no Aztec ruins in our backyard these references may not be so obvious as James' examples however the natural beauty of our region should be inspiration enough and by developing a greater appreciation and understanding of both the European and indigenous cultural heritage of our region we may be able to develop a design language that resonates with our community and is uniquely ours
|
|
|
AILA GOLD
Carbon Neutral Landscapes
Gerard McCormick - AILA
AILA Gold held the first of its 2008 seminars on 23 July 2008 at Bond University Princeton Room. The seminar entitled Carbon Neutral Landscapes was intended to create an overview of carbon related issues and generate discussion about how we as design professionals can contribute to becoming carbon neutral. Approximately 50 attendees from a range of backgrounds including landscape architects, town planners, architects, ecologists, ecological restoration contractors and landscape contractors attended the seminar.
Ned Wales opened his presentation with images associated with outhouses and the day’s gone by. Illustrating the importance of backyard level approaches, then expanding to a Regional Ecology focus. Neds overview included some preliminary discussion on how Carbon Trading will be conducted and raised some complex issues for future events.
Which lead nicely into Jason Searle’s presentation highlighting the effects of regional clearing regimes and associated issues when compensating for clearing. Jason explained the impact of land clearing and future proposals to retain and enhance green corridors on the Gold Coast through concepts such as the Green Heart project.
Chris Walton brought us back to grass roots, literally! We were taken on a whistle stop tour of the philosophy behind the Currumbin Ecovillage. Clearly the success of this project was instilled from the start with community consultation and a two year audit of features! Oh the luxury of having such landscape opportunities and associated landscape guidelines.
|
|
AILA QLD TREES COMMITTEE INSTRUMENTAL IN BCC WORKSHOP
Penny Hunter AILA
The AILA Qld Trees Committee were key participators in a recent lunchtime workshop held on 19 August by Brisbane City Council to openly debate and discuss Council’s much anticipated Draft Tree Protection Guidelines.
The Guidelines will be included in Council’s City Plan (and referred to in the Landscape Code) and will form part of Council’s existing Subdivision and Development Guidelines. They therefore constitute a key strategic document that details the information that must be provided to Council by a developer, when applying for a Material Change of Use (or Lot Reconfiguration) on sites that contain existing trees.
One main aspect of the Guidelines, which were developed by Brisbane City Council’s Environment and Sustainability Branch, is the requirement for the submission of Tree Protection Plans. “Tree Protection Plans are used to prepare Landscape Plans and must be submitted to Council with the Landscape Plans for approval, or as otherwise required as a result of a development application, with copies retained on site during construction and copies handed on to the body responsible for the property,” (BCC, 2008:9). The Plans are to be prepared by a qualified arboricultural consultant who is a member of either the QAA (Queensland Arboricultural Association) or the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture).
With the objective to ensure that trees, which are to be retained within a proposed development site, are worthy of protection and then adequately protected, the Guidelines outline the roles and responsibilities of the developer, landscape architect and project manager. The Guidelines are expected to be included in the next version of BCC’s Subdivision and Development Guidelines.
AILA Queensland Trees Committee recently formed out of attendees at the AILA Qld highly successful event Re-Newing our Urban Trees & Forests, and comprised our dedicated members and colleagues Andrew Galt AILA, David Barnes AILA, Penny Hunter AILA, Sean Freeman and Peter Bishop.
|
|
|
National Council Update
Mandy Rounsefell AILA, National Vice President & AILA Environment Committee
It's spring!... National Council once again headed to a blossom laden, (and not-so-chilly!) Canberra from 11th to 13th September.
Three full days of reporting, debate, presentations and strategic planning ... peppered with cultural relief and personal catch-up opportunities with otherwise faraway colleagues.
On Thursday, the National Councillors and Executive Director were joined by our AILA State Presidents from across Australia to discuss National and State strategic issues and directions to guide us through the following year and beyond. This intensive day was followed by the Annual General Meeting....and dinner!
On Friday morning we took part in a Climate Change Project Forum, which revolved around the Landscape Principles and their use, as well as outcomes to be achieved for the recently received Commonwealth grant. This was followed by a lunchtime National Awards presentation. So many Queensland winners!
In the afternoon, senior landscape architects provided a presentation to the Commonwealth's Departments of Climate Change and Environment, giving an overview of their work, the diversity of the profession and how this profession is dealing with the complex array of environmental and climate change issues in their day to day work.
Saturday was the day for National Council only to reconvene for the 102nd AILA National Council meeting. This was the 'meeting of the national board' and we deliberated over the high level AILA issues such as strategic planning, finances, marketing, committees, awards, education, affiliations, conferences, membership, CPD and publications.
A very full, but very rewarding 3 days to be sure. Mark Fuller and I look forward to reporting outcomes back to you all in the near future.
|
|
Postcard from Canberra
Katharina Nieberler-Walker AILA - 2008 National Jury member
The 2008 national awards jury met on 4th and 5th of July in a chilly Canberra to assess a record number of awards entries in Landscape Architecture. Debbie Saegenschnitter from SA, Gwyneth Leigh & Catherine Townsend both from ACT, Mark Frisby from Victoria and Katharina Nieberler-Walker from QLD had the pleasure of working through over 90 awards entries, to assess and select the winners for 2008. A number of awards and one excellence award could be awarded in each of the 5 awards categories – Design, Planning, Land Management, Research & Communications and Future Leaders.
Entries ranging from small residential garden designs to large scale planning studies presented at times a challenge to the jury because it is easy to be overwhelmed by scale and mass of paper. In the award winning entries the jury was looking for above quality design and planning outcomes, for innovative and new approaches and above all the special quality and significant element that lift the entry above the rest.
For future successful entries the jury recommends a short succinct summary making sure main points are covered and adequate context information is provided. Short and sweet is the right formula and 3 to 4 outstanding images are more convincing than an overload of 50 pictures. Try to summarise with visual clues, highlight special achievements and leave out the fillers.
On a personal note I very much enjoyed the fierce debate within the team and congratulate our National Executive Paul Costigan for enforcing a rigorous selection process throughout the many hours of discourse and debate
 
|
|
 |
Updates
Jean Rousseaux AILA
2009 Awards:
2009 Awards committee is set in place & meet regularly every 2nd month. The venue is locked in & confirmed at Gianni’s at Hamilton for the 21st of August with the launch cocktail party on the 13th of May. The committee has selected a theme for the awards night being landscapes from the Outback to the Coast, more details closer to the time.
Main Roads guidelines:
AILA QLD where sent a very thorough document, with a strong emphasis on the role of native vegetation (including local seed collecting) for rehabilitation projects;
- Emphasis on the merit and role of the landscape to enhance the experience of road users as well as the landscape character of the area still missing, especially in relation to cultural landscapes (urban and rural).
For more information on this please contact Jean directly - jean.rousseaux@brisbane.qld.gov.au
|
|
New Member & Fellows Dinner
|
|
|
|
AILA QLD officially welcomed its latest members at the Annual New Registered Landscape Architects and Fellows Dinner at the Story Bridge Hotel on Thursday 31 July 2008. 10 new Registered Landscape Architects from throughout Queensland were inducted by the Fellows in a celebration of the future of landscape architecture.
The new Registered Landscape Architects were joined by the Fellows, sponsors, panel and the QLD Exec team in a night of good food and wine. A highlight of the night was a segment titled 'At the bar with the Fellows'. This allowed Chris to work on her interview techniques questioning Janet Conrad, Glenn Thomas and Malcolm Bunzli on their individual contributions to AILA and how 1 person getting involved can make a big difference.
Congratulations to the new Registered Landscape Architects: Daniel Wright, Ian Lowndes, Deborah Males, John Murray, Andrew Hornery, Alison Eshelby, Kirstie Sheldon, David Setchfield and Shaun Walsh!
If you are interested in applying for Registered Landscape Architecture membership refers to the following this link.
|
| |
|
|
Lead | Breakfast Seminar – 19 June 2008
Leading Our Profession
Chris Boulton AILA
Leading our profession is all about acknowledging that all of us have a role to play in order to affect positive change and influence the stewardship of our environment. It's therefore critical that we understand how and recognise when it’s our turn when we are presented with an opportunity. The second of our LEAD Breakfast Series, our breakfast seminar at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre was again very well attended with plenty of enthusiasm. In addition to a gourmet breakfast, the discussion about leadership that followed was from two perspectives: as an individual; and as a profession.
The first part of our session explored what Does Good Leadership Look Like, and what does it take to be an effective leader for landscape architecture? The format was a more relaxed “on the couch” dialogue between our panel and members of our audience. The intentions were for our panel draw on their experiences and speak openly and from the heart. The second part of our session explored: who will lead our profession; and what are the challenges for our emerging professional leaders?
A dialogue on these concepts was provided by our panel which represented diversity in professional experience, professional interests, and careers development, and included: Prof. Gini Lee; Mark Fuller; Paul Songhurst; and Martin Challis. The round-table format of the event enabled participants to discuss and share their experiences and concerns with each other, and with the panel speakers.
At the conclusion, the range of responses established the value and importance of many issues, including:
- Self awareness including the impact of individual behaviour
- Realising individual skills and attributes that contribute to good leadership
- Recognising and understanding that systems & networks assist us in affecting positive change
Based on the feedback received, the event was considered relevant, very thought provoking and inspiring. The next LEAD Breakfast Event is Wednesday 24 September and will explore “Effective Communication” in a workshop format, facilitated by Performance Frontiers and our AILA Qld State President. Register online
|
|
|
|
