National Councillor's Report

Mandy Rounsefell

This year’s three day National Conference Transform, held at the Brisbane Convention Centre in August was a great success. Thanks to all of you who attended and the hard work put in by many people to make this event happen, including our sponsors. The field trips also provided a variety of fun experiences around Brisbane, and I heard many positive reports back on these. 

It’s always hard to summarise a conference, especially if you weren’t in attendance – one of those “guess you had to be there” moments in time. There was an interesting mix of local and international speakers across a range of disciplines, areas of expertise and scales of work. It was a positive confirmation of the breadth and depth or work we do in collaboration with others.  Needless to say, memorable moments included Greg Grabasch’s swear jar routine, hearing about Christine Ten Eyck’s arid landscapes relying on “sweaty buildings” and Tim Waterman’s presentation which was completely void of visuals other than his antics on stage which none the less held us captive with fascinating food for thought.

As usual, I find the conference a great time to pause and reflect on the ‘why’ and ‘how’ we practice our craft, instead of the relentless ‘what’ and ‘when’ by which we are all bound when making a living as landscape architects. After each speakers’ sessions, thought provoking points of view were put forward in question time leading to much healthy discussion over the delicious teas and lunches. I look forward to the next conference, which may just finally cross over into the multi-media, social networking age.

Speaking of networking, National Council will be meeting in person in two week’s time in Launceston. The Annual General Meeting (AGM), which this year is a voting AGM, will be held in conjunction with the National Council meeting.  So this is my last ‘hurrah’ as National President (thanks for having me!).  However I will be continuing my role on National Council, along with Katharina Nieberler Walker, so feel free to continue to raise any national focussed issues you have with us.  Although the same ten people have re-nominated for National Council, the executive positions will be up for grabs and it will be interesting to see who our next AILA National Executive will be for the next two years.

National Council has been working hard on advocacy and policy development. Please keep an eye out for more National policies coming out on the AILA website soon – they are there for your use and to help in your advocacy efforts. Please also let National Office know if there are any other policies you feel are missing and need attention – the full list of what we have, and which ones are to be written next can be found online

Happy Spring, everybody
Cheers
Mandy
Mandy Rounsefell
AILA National President

Vision Statement

Resilient, engaging and healthy urban, regional and rural environments, designed in balance with natural and cultural systems.

Mission Statement

To advance the profession of Landscape Architecture in the service of the public interest and to provide leadership in the creation and stewardship of sustainable cities and settlements.

LINKS

BRISBANE , 2011 Queensland State Awards Launch & Exhibition

Hayley Freestun

The 2011 Queensland State Awards Launch Party was held on Wednesday 13th April in the contemporary gallery space at Bleeding Heart Gallery, situated in the historic ‘School of Arts’ building at 166 Ann Street, Brisbane.

The launch party had a good turn out of both professionals and students in the industry. The open plan space enabled the opportunity for AILA members to talk, network and view the entries in an ambient environment. The gallery is located centrally within Brisbane’s CBD and is close to parking and public transport and various landscape architectural and multi-disciplinary practices.

Following the launch, the awards exhibition opened its doors to the public from Thursday the 14th April through to Wednesday 20th April. To publicise the exhibition, flyers were distributed to cafes within the city and emails distributed amongst Bleeding Heart Gallery’s client database and to QUT landscape architecture students.
The exhibition displayed the submitted A3 project boards, information on the AILA, a description of each category, education and a career in landscape architecture and what happens after the launch (i.e the State Awards ceremony).

Located on Ann Street, the gallery has a high level of pedestrian traffic traversing past on a daily basis. We were fortunate to have a high number of visitors through the gallery and received lots of positive and interested feedback. Bleeding Heart Gallery were impressed with the numbers of people that came to the exhibition especially within its final days. The visitor book showed that a diverse rang of people came to view the exhibition, ranging from family members, students, general public and developers.
Having the exhibition in this type of venue and location proved successful amongst both AILA members and the public and was an ideal place to showcase landscape architecture, AILA and individual projects and practices.

For the next awards the committee is investigating the size and content of the displayed project board to better speak to those of the community and to graphically communicate the submitted projects in more of an exhibition sense. Any feedback is welcomed on the 2011 Awards Launch or for future Awards Launches to ensure we strive to deliver the best event for AILA members.

Feedback can be emailed to Hayley Freestun (hayley.ailafresh@gmail.com)  
or to Katie Roberson (qld@aila.org.au).

2011 AWARDS NIGHT – Lauren Walsh

BRISBANE, 
The AILA QLD Project Awards in Landscape Architecture

The QLD Project Awards Night provides an opportunity for friends and members of the Landscape Architecture profession, to come together and celebrate excellence in their field over the past two years.

The 2011 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) QLD Project Awards received more than seventy (70) project entries, covering five (5) Awards categories of Future Leaders, Design (including residential and Urban Design), Planning, Land Management, and finally Research & Communication.

First and Foremost, a big thank you to all the entrants in the 2011 AILA QLD Project Awards. This event wouldn’t be possible and certainly wouldn’t be as spectacular as it was without the hard work and creative talents that the Queensland Landscape Architects bring to these awards.

Congratulations to all the awards recipients for their achievements. In judging the awards the Jury looked for that special quality that lifts certain projects above the rest of the field, a quality that demonstrates the leadership and creative thinking of the landscape architect; the early involvement and influence of the landscape architect on the direction of the project; and the achievement of a creative solution in response to the project brief that goes beyond good practice.

The 2011 AILA QLD Project Awards were judged by an experienced jury team with a wealth of knowledge in the many facets of Landscape Architecture. They were presented with a difficult task in judging the diverse range of projects with an overwhelming quality of projects entered. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Awards Jury for their professionalism in assessing all the entries, and making recommendations which recognise projects that pave the way for the new directions to be embraced by the profession.

The Jury included Malcolm Snow - Chief Executive Officer for the South Bank Corporation, James Tuma - Director of Urbis, Tanya Neville - Urban Development Manager for Brisbane Airport Corporation’s Property Group, Rosemary Kennedy - Senior Lecturer in the School of Design and Director of the Centre for Subtropical Design at Queensland University of Technology, Malcolm Eadie - Director of McGarry and Eadie and an Adjunct Associate Professor in Civil Engineering at Sunshine Coast University, Neil Hobbs - immediate Past President of AILA and has been a National Councilor since 2003, Andrea Ryan - Design Manager for Queensland Rail, and finally Darren Mew - Design and Planning Manager Residential Communities for Stockland and the Jury Chair for the 2011 AILA Project Awards for Queensland.

Many hands make light work and without the enthusiasm and commitment from the Awards Committee, who volunteer many hours of their own time to help organise this event, the night wouldn’t be as enjoyable and memorable as it was. There were many people involved in this years Awards committee that have put in a tremendous effort, in particular a big thanks to Hayley Freestun, Radmilla Zaimovic, Penny Spiers and Andrea Ryan from the AILA QLD Executive, and Katie Roberson our AILA QLD State Manager. Without the continual support of the awards committee members and the executive committee, such events could not be possible. Once again a very special thanks to Anthony Frangi, our exuberant MC for the evening. Anthony’s continual support of our industry is warmly welcomed.

It is welcoming to have the continual and growing support from related industries of the Landscape Architecture profession and the QLD AILA Executive would like to take this opportunity to thank the Event Sponsors for their support in the 2011 AILA QLD Project Awards. Our 2011 Event Sponsor was Eureka Landscapes. This year the AILA QLD executive showed their appreciation for the continual support of Jason McGarry of Eureka Landscapes for his on-going commitment to the partnership with Landscape Architecture and presented him with an AILA QLD Corporate Partner award. Additional thanks must be given to Evergreen Plant Solutions for the donation of the Lucky door prizes.

I believe Jean Rousseaux was right when he commented that “the inspiring collection of great projects spanning all categories is a tribute to the fact that, despite the Global Financial Crisis, the creative juices of the profession are alive and well.”

I am excited to see what the 2013 AILA QLD Project Awards will bring, and I encourage all members of our profession, from student’s right through to Senior Landscape Architects, to strive for excellence in all their projects, so that 2013 can set yet another benchmark for outstanding achievement in Landscape Architecture.

Please see online a list of our deserving project winners for the 2011 Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture Queensland Awards.

For further information on Jury Comments, please visit the website.

Vision Statement

Resilient, engaging and healthy urban, regional and rural environments, designed in balance with natural and cultural systems.

Mission Statement

To advance the profession of Landscape Architecture in the service of the public interest and to provide leadership in the creation and stewardship of sustainable cities and settlements.

AILA  GOLD – Gerard McCormick 

2011 Awards Launch

A dedicated group of Gold Coast consultants and other various punters braved the cold to celebrate the launch of the 2011 AILA QLD Awards at Barefoot (Barista) at Palm Beach on Friday 20 May.  Excellent catering by Lizzie Hyland, in a Palmy venue that would make Melbourne proud.

Policy 12 and 13

We have been pleased to be part of a review committee for GCCC’s review of Policy 12 and 13 dealing with Landscape Strategy and Guidelines during June/July 2011. 

This excellent body of work authored by John Mongard and GCCC was long in need of an update to be included as an integral part of the Bold Future Planning Scheme Review.  A series of workshops were undertaken as part of the review process, with the outcome being a scoping study for ultimate refinement of the policies.

Special thanks to Mike Barber from GCCC for elevating the issues of landscape in the city and inviting our representation on the panel and to Aecom for their review work on the scoping study.  Also special thanks to all AILA Gold supporters who contributed to the Planning Scheme review submissions late in 2010.  This involvement reinforced the need to review the current policy documents.

2011 Spring-Summer  Surf Series

While winter has led to shorter days, and colder mornings, making it less inviting for the early rise for AILA Gold Surfs, we have been blessed by a series of winter swells, with clean offshore conditions and excellent banks particularly at The Alley, Greenmount, Cabarita and Broken Head.

Could everyone interested in getting on the phone list for the next round of surfs commencing Mid September text Gerard on 0407 651 096.  We will organise a contact list and keep everyone informed of last minute changes to venues, pending best conditions.

Note also that Cardno SPLAT have been assisting Surfrider Foundation on the Coast mapping the boundaries of the Gold Coast Southern Point Breaks National Surfing Reserve.  This is due out for consultation over the next few months.

AILA FNQ – Renee Jezard

The field trip was held on the 4th August 2011. The purpose of the trip was to view Townsville’s most recently constructed landscape projects, and learn of any issues that arose from inception through to construction, and the design and successes of the projects.

TOWNSVILLE FLINDERS STREET REVITALISATION
Emma Crick (Gamble McKinnon Green) and Steve Falvey (PLACE Design) took us on a tour through the newly landscaped Flinders Street.  The old mall was converted into a street with wide footpaths for outdoor dining - reminiscent of the old mall and focused on the use of local materials such as basalt, granite and indigenous plant species.

NATIONAL PARK, RAILWAY ESTATE
Hywel Jones (HJLA)
This project consisted of a community park which was built over a high water table, beside a saltwater river.  Recycled plastic softfall, play equipment, shelters and bbq – fenced for families, and a dog leash area nearby featured in this area.  This park has been well received by local community.

DAN GLEESON PARK – FAIRYTALE PLAYGROUND
Lucilla Marshall and Andy Froggatt (TCC)
This park was specifically designed to inspire the imagination – a Fairytale inspired play area.   The park is fully enclosed with a fence, custom designed gates and custom designed furniture. Mosaics feature in the footpaths,and tell storys of wizards and magic (Harry Potter inspired).  A large pre-fab sea Dragon features amongst the merky coloured softfall lily pads and moat and plastic pre-fab castles.  Natural play is encouraged in nearby trees and stepping stones exist throughout the planted areas.

RIVERWAY UPPER ROSS COMMUNITY HUB
Townsville City Council
Lead Consultant RPS
The Riverway Upper Ross Community Hub (RURCH) is part of the world-class Riverway public space urban development project.  The main purpose of RURCH was to reconnect Apex Park and the Ross River with the community centre by reducing barriers associated with the prevailing topography (steep slopes and flooding issues) and Riverway Drive.  Features included an active zone for 'Parkour', discovery elements, an amphitheatre, an outdoor classroom, a 3.5 metre raised walkway, a recreational pontoon and jetty, picnic areas, as well as interpretative signage elements that highlight the area's local history.  The entrance to the park has been upgraded to allow for safer access, along with improved visibility from the roadside. Parking has also been upgraded along with the provision of toilet facilities.

RIVERPARKS RESIDENTIAL ESTATE
Hywel Jones (HJLA)
Riverparks is a residential estate developed by Devine.  This estate includes landscaped streets and a feature presentation style park.  The park is formal in design with marble balls from China featuring in the landscape interjecting with waves of various couch types and porphyry stone, and mounding in parts.

NORTH SHORE NOISE MOUNDS
Hywel Jones (HJLA)
The purpose of this project was to reduce noise originating from an industrial area nearby Northshore Estate.  The Landscape Architect worked in collaboration with a Noise Attenuation expert to create a design that was both aesthetically pleasing and assisted in the reduction  of noise.  Overlapping planted mounds using native species contributed to a very pleasing green space within the development.

Thankyou to the AILA FNQ committee and those that generously donated their time on the day.

AILA SUN– Trish Menzies

The year that was.......

The Aila Sun Group has had a few activities this year. Work tends to get in the way of us being able organise ourselves into having regular meetings, but that’s a good thing.  Being too busy.

This financial year has seen quite a lot of activity on the Sunny Coast, and our profession always faces new challenges with the economic downtown continuing its effects and the construction industry being quiet at present.  However that is what we do best in the landscape profession; face new challenges and adapt accordingly.

At the end of 2010 we had a ripper Christmas party at Habits Bistro in Cotton Tree, with great food and live flamenco guitar music.  James and Trish organised a showcase of member’s projects from across the coast, it was refreshing to see all the wonderful project work that defines our coastal region and illustrates the variety of work that we are privileged to participate in.  Well done to all on your achievements this year.
In March Hannah hosted the informative Ted Talks Timber, with Ted Stubbersfield providing valuable insights and industry updates in all things timber.  We all need to make sure we keep up to date with the latest developments in the materials we use – and Ted’s talk certainly did that.

May saw many of us at the Aila State Awards, and preceding that Carl and Jamie hosted the State Awards launch of all our entries, at the Various Artists cafe in Maroochydore.  Once again, it is great to see the range of wonderful work being produced on the coast, and of course congratulations to all the award entrants and winners.  The Awards nights are always a wonderful chance to get glammed up and catch up with friends and colleagues, (and kick on afterwards for the brave and foolhardy ...)

Our next event is an extension of the Ted Talk’s Timber lunch, this time on another all important material that can sometimes get us into dirty territory: soils.

Sponsor Articles

URBAN PLAY AND KOMPAN – Christian Schwerdtfeger

INTERACTIVE OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND COMBINES COMPUTING WITH CLIMBING TO WIN AUSTRALIA'S TOP DESIGN AWARD

An interactive children's playground designed with the attraction of electronic gaming to draw kids outdoors has taken out the top prize in the 2011 Australian International Design Awards,   awarded by Good Design Australia.

Nuturf – Andrew Kolbee

Nuturf’s Get Results website offers an invaluable tool for agronomic, budgeting and other management applications in the workplace. The website has now been running for 8 years and has processed over 30,000 Australian soil samples - all the while improving on the service and functionality that is offered through Get Results. www.nuturf.getresults.nu

The report quantifies cations in both ppm and as base saturation percentage, with the inclusion of hydrogen allowing for the most accurate measure of nutrient balance. Therefore the most accurate deficiencies (Ca, Mg, K and P) are calculated taking into account other characteristics of the soil such as the exchange capacity and pH.

Key features of the Get Results website:

• Results are always accessible and printable online.
• Offers the ability to compare results in many different ways, focussing on the individual parameters that you desire.
• Graph your results to track the health of your soil over a period of time; this can give an indication of the success of current and past nutritional practices.
• Fast turn-around times – once results are completed at the lab they are posted online immediately.
• Free to activate when you purchase a web-based soil, water or tissue analysis, with no ongoing costs.
• Online features extend to Nuturf’s other web-based analysis such as Irrigation
• Suitability Analysis and Plant Tissue Analysis.

For more information contact a Nuturf Territory Manager in your area: http://www.nuturf.com.au/turfcontacts.html

Vision Statement

Resilient, engaging and healthy urban, regional and rural environments, designed in balance with natural and cultural systems.

Mission Statement

To advance the profession of Landscape Architecture in the service of the public interest and to provide leadership in the creation and stewardship of sustainable cities and settlements.