Architects boycott development assessment survey
2 August 2005
Nearly 85% of architects have chosen not to participate in a survey on development applications released today by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, said today.
"The survey was sent to 2,026 architects across Australia, but only 318 architects have bothered to respond - a return rate of just 15.7%," Cr Bell said.
"Architects have stayed away in droves.
"The survey respondents are self-selected. They don't represent the views of architects at large. The survey is also very subjective - architects were asked to "rate" the development assessment process in their state. They were even asked to "nominate" the average time taken for development assessments to be processed.
"How many are going to go over their records, check the time taken, then calculate an average? What are the chances we're getting opinions and guesstimates rather than accurate, verifiable data?
"The Institute is using this survey in a bid to restrict the planning controls exercised on behalf of the community by democratically elected local representatives. This is a direct assault on the principle of local democracy. Planning is a critically important role carried out by local government. Councillors are elected to represent their communities and make decisions on their behalf.
"The Institute is also out of step with public opinion. A Local Government Association of Queensland survey has recently found that respondents wanted councillors to retain DA decision making powers by a majority of two to one.
"Most development applications are determined by planners. But councillors must retain the ability to make decisions on development applications - particularly controversial applications - on behalf of the communities they represent. Councillors are directly accountable to the community - planners and expert panels are not.
"ALGA is working hard with others, architects included, to improve the development assessment process. Many important initiatives are underway across the country to streamline the development assessment system and make it simpler and easier for all concerned," Cr Bell said.
- Contact:
- Cr Paul Bell AM, ALGA President - 0418 791 596
- Rohan Greenland, ALGA Public Affairs - 0412 85 9434 / 02 6122 9434
