National Climate Change Project Consultation

The National Climate Change Project continues, with the first 12 month stage rapidly coming to a close.

As I reported in the last newsletter, the consultations have taken place here in Brisbane in November as well as in Canberra, in Hobart and in Melbourne. There was also an opportunity for all members to contribute through a discussion paper on the web site late last year.

As you are reading this, a final workshop is being staged in Sydney.

The workshop will function as the final design review of the structure &  content of the Principles document, due to be released in May 2009 at  the AILA  National Conference.

The National Landscape Principles document is intended as a primary advocacy tool for our profession - its main purpose will be to promote an ethically-based decision-making framework as the foundation of sustainable landscape planning and management into the future.

The hardcopy document will link to a web-based resource of ongoing research, technical and strategic tools, as well as underpinning a revised education policy for our profession and the development of CPD modules on Climate Change Adaptation over the next two years.

Keep an eye out for news and notices in the national communiques and the project web pages: www.aila.org.au/climate

Meanwhile check out the report on other council activities below.

Mandy Rounsefell
National First Vice President and National Environment Committee

 

National Council Update

Mark Fuller FAILA

The AILA National Council met in Canberra in mid February and as usual had a busy agenda with a range of debates on national issues and directions. The following reflects the discussions on several of the key topics.

Vision: Council agreed that a simple, new statement was required that more accurately reflected the dual vision of the AILA being a professional institute (membership organisation) as well as having a priority on advocacy for ‘landscape and the environment’.

This new vision statement is to be included in the strategic plan, other appropriate documentation and on the web sites.

To grow and enhance the profession of landscape architecture and to provide leadership in the creation of meaningful, equitable and sustainable environments.

AGM 2009: The Council agreed that the next AGM may be in Perth in conjunction with a National One Day Conference. Most likely towards the end of September.

Advocacy: Council discussed recent advocacy efforts and the links being made to the Climate Change project. Letters and requests have been sent to Senator Penny Wong and to Minister Peter Garrett – and meetings had with Bob Debus, the Minister for Home Affairs (includes the National Capital Authority). Council discussed recent efforts to inform the senior AILA members of the advocacy and the need to have a range of advocacy tools to assist with the various levels of government. Council is encouraging all state presidents or nominated spokesperson to take the initiatives in advocacy and to write media statements and articles; to be pro-active not just wait for the issues.

Australian Gallery of Design: Council signed off on a proposal for AILA’s partnership with the AIA, National Museum and the University of Canberra to manage the Australian Gallery of Design in Canberra. With its lake view outlook, this space will provide an exciting opportunity to showcase Australian landscape architecture within Commonwealth Place.

National Environment Committee: Council discussed national advocacy efforts and the relevance of the AILA being involved in particular local and national environment issues. Council agreed that at all times any requests or initiatives for advocacy for environmental issues need to be measured against priorities/resources and whether the issue should be reacted to as a local, regional or national issue. Council agreed that state groups should be more involved in relevant issues as well as bring national issues to the attention of the national office.

National Climate Change Project: Catherine Neilson presented Council with an overview of the project status that led to a discussion on the progress and likely outcomes of the national project. Council discussed the development of the Landscape Principles and their implementation.

BEDP: Council was informed of the recent restructuring of the BEDP following the departure of some key partners, including PIA and AIA. The BEDP has re-organised with an office within Engineers Australia in Canberra.

Urban Design Award: Council is seeking clarification on the Australian Urban Design Award, now organised by the PIA. The preference remains that it should be overseen by the BEDP. If a satisfactory arrangement cannot be agreed to, then the new BEDP should be approached about a new national cross-profession award.

Education & Accreditation:
Council discussed the progress of the accreditation of all seven programs. This was the first year whereby Council could compare across all programs as result of a more uniform reporting process. The AILA Education Policy is to be reviewed and a new policy in place by the end of 2009. The new policy will be greatly influenced by the results of the current National Climate Change Project.

May 2009 Conference: Council received reports on the progress of the 2009 National Conference to be in Melbourne May 2009 (200 early bird registrations were received).

Council discussed options for one-day conferences and the need to have national events in all capitals and where feasible in some regional centres. The Council agreed that for these events there needs to be a level of realism applied – eg the expected number of delegates should align with the region and the budget should reflect this as well as being assisted with national funds, provided the former major national three day event has delivered a surplus.

Margaret Hendry Talk: the national Margaret Hendry talk is due to be staged in 2009 in Canberra – but options should be explored for the talk to be staged interstate to keep the talk series national.

Membership Application Processes: Council received and discussed the reports on the on-going successful implementation of the registration processes and that more revisions have been adopted following feedback from mentors and applicants. There have been a numerous very positive feedbacks with employers identifying how useful the mentoring process is in focussing the in-house CPD.

CPD reporting: The online reporting process has worked very well when members have understood the concept of CPD, many members having received coaching on identifying their CPD activities.

 

Regional Landscapes Group – Catherine Brouwer

The group is currently active in two related endeavours.

1.  Preparation of a Position Paper on Scenic Amenity,
     & Submission /letter to the DIP

• a Draft Position Paper has been circulated amongst the group, and is being refined. And, we have  recently
• met with the Dept Infrastructure & Planning who have published the Scenic Amenity Methodology Guideline 8. And, we are
• writing to the Director DIP to point out our position and proposals, for a strategic way forward for landscape architects to contribute and collaborate in future incorporation of wider landscape values in planning schemes and development assessment.

2. Submission to the Draft South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009 –2031

This submission will focus on section 3 Regional Landscape which includes 3.3 Scenic amenity, as this has been the focus of the group for the past 2 years.  Other sections we may have time to address are : 3.4 Landscape heritage, 3.5 Outdoor recreation, 3.6 Regional open space network, sections 5 Rural Futures and 6 Strong Communities.

This is a vital document for SE QLD. It is important that AILA make a submission.

We don’t have to cover all aspects. If you want to contribute:-

See www.dip.qld.gov.au  Write a sentence on one or two sections, or an overall comment.

Submissions are due 3 April so we need any input ASAP –before 31 March.

Please email the Qld Exec and /or Catherine:   Brouwer@eis.net.au

 

Are you working with a future AILA Fellow?

Do you know someone that has demonstrated distinguished service to our profession or landscape architecture? 

This could mean that they have achieved:

• Successfully implemented particular projects, task forces, committees at a State or National Level of the AILA
• Consistently demonstrated service to the AILA over many years
• Participated in raising the profile and standing of the profession in the community generally, among other professions, industry and government.

Have you considered their nomination as an AILA Fellow?

The membership grade of Fellowship is an honour that the Institute may bestow upon persons who are or who are eligible to be registered members of the Institute and is made in recognition of distinguished service to the Institute and/or the profession in Australia.

Fellows are registered members of the Institute, enjoy full voting rights and may be elected to executive positions at both Federal and State level.
Fellowship is bestowed after evaluation by Council and therefore the nomination and evaluation procedure is conducted 'in confidence'.

When a nomination has been accepted by Council, the nominee is invited to accept Fellowship.

For more information, check out the website

 

AILA SUN – Carl Safstrom

Playworld Presentations

AILA Sun organised representatives from Miracle Recreation Products to provide two presentations developed by Playworld on the Value of Play and Multi-generational parks. 

The presentations served as a good reminder about the value of play for the whole community from young children to the elderly.  It highlighted to me the important role that Landscape Architects play in not only selecting equipment but also in providing a setting that encourages play and the myriad of developmental and health benefits that this provides. 

The importance of play in developing gross and fine motor skills, spatial awareness, balance, strength, confidence and self esteem for children was outlined while we also saw how play or exercise assisted the elderly in remaining healthy and active in life. 

I came away from the presentations with a renewed resolve to ensure that play experiences I had a chance to be involved with maximised benefits for the whole community rather than being just a snazzy looking piece of equipment. 

AILA Sun would like to thank Miracle Recreation Products and Reclaim Industries for their sponsorship of these events.