21 March 2022
On Saturday 18th March I attended the opening of the new Regional Play Space at Sir Joseph Banks Park in Botany. This important piece of reclaimed land, originally designed by Bruce Mackenzie has had its play area reimagined, a project led by Louise Farrell Manager City Projects at Bayside Council, Julie Gee Senior Landscape Architect and Jeavons Landscape Architects. The new play space is accessible and inclusive and a vital upgrade to the area. With hundreds of children and families engaging with the space, I toured the site with Louise as we discussed the scheme’s intent and the key that is landscape architecture to building healthy and sustainable communities, capable of providing facilities like this one for the increasing population. What also struck me was the amount of local and state government representatives and families I talked to who understood this was a space designed by and delivered by landscape architects. The original and successful community engagement strategy some 12 months previous was also recalled by these same families, children included, who felt their voice and their ideas had been heard.
The AILA NSW manifesto is available here. A critical document reaching some 160 local government individuals, the manifesto has been well received with AILA NSW receiving positive commentary and feedback.
On a different note I did want to acknowledge university students and academics, with semester now in full swing and assessments underway with all students on campus, we have seen the return of a strong heart beat in our tertiary institutions.
The AILA NSW Awards submissions for 2023 has now closed, and we look forward to the online reveal on 04 May. Whilst a small snap shot of our professions work, an exciting evening where expertise, dedication and tenacity is highlighted. Registration is now open
The AILA NSW Awards night will be at View by Sydney, a return to last year’s venue on 08 June and I look forward to sharing this evening with you.
Tanya Wood
AILA NSW President
Advocacy Corner Update - AILA NSW meeting with Hon Rob Stokes and Katie Stevenson
By special invitation AILA NSW (represented by State Manager Tessa Faucheur and Vice President David Moir) attended the office of the departing Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport The Honourable Rob Stokes MP.
The Minister and his Chief of Staff Katie Stevenson invited AILA in to thank the institute for all of the valuable contributions and support that the current and past executives and committees had provided during his tenure as Planning Minister and his more recent portfolios of Infrastructure, Transport and Cities.
The Minister spoke of the incredible value of the input provided by AILA and Landscape Architecture in developing the Design and Place SEPP and how important he viewed the role of Landscape Architects in leading the Country centred design of new urban areas and the renewal of established communities through greening, activation and improved connectivity
The Minister made particular note of NSW Executive member Jason Cuffe’s presentation at the joint AILA, PIA and AIA event focused on affordable housing in early February this year. The Minister stated that AILA had “knocked it out of the park” with a presentation and expert delivery that really highlighted the role of LAs and their leadership role in shaping the future of the cities.
In reply, we thanked the Minister and his Government for being a champion for the profession and for recognising the diversity, strength and broad capabilities of Landscape Architects. We thanked the minister for the Governments significant focus and investment in open space programmes in metropolitan and regional NSW including the Everyone Can Play Programme, Places to Play and Places to Swim, The Open Space Charter and the Greater Sydney Parkland (to name a few).
The Minister encouraged AILA to continue our advocacy with the future NSW government and to continue to push for better urban design outcomes in collaboration with PIA and AIA.
Although the Minister is retiring from politics at the election this weekend Mr Stokes offered to maintain contact and assist AILA in navigating advocacy with the future NSW State Government.
AILA’s election manifesto and responses from those seeking election this weekend is available to view here.
