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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-06-23 Daily Xml
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Question Time

LEE, PROF. L.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:25): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Urban Development and Planning a question relating to the integrated design commission and in particular Ms Laura Lee.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Late during question time yesterday, the minister tabled the magazine Place. He said in Hansard that it was the June 2000 edition—I am sure he will correct it—but it is the June 2010 edition. It is the official publication of the Australian Institute of Architects, and he wanted me to look in particular at the fact that this journal features an interview with Professor Lee. He said that it 'explains in great detail from a body of our top architects in South Australia the integrated design'. He said that he was tabling it for the ‘edification and benefit of the opposition’. I thank the minister for doing so.

Sadly, after reading the article, I am still no wiser and have not been able to learn of any practical architectural experience that Ms Lee has participated in. However, I did read with interest some of her comments in relation to integrated design. I will quote from just a couple of paragraphs:

The commission would have two roles to play: advocacy; building awareness of design in the environment and what its value is; and advising at the highest level of government. When we refer to an integrated design strategy there would be a consideration of broader issues relevant to the whole community, therefore critical siting decisions or even investment decisions about one project over another are made.

She goes on in a couple of paragraphs below:

What are the development guiding principles for the city? Are the projects being developed with the right professionals, are they honouring and advancing those principles? It needs to be an organic but structured process. It would be a commission where you would pull in the appropriate experts at the appropriate time but again be at the highest level of decision-making before committing to build.

My question is: why did the government not seek this type of high-level advice before committing to build the new RAH on the rail yards site?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management) (14:27): I would have thought that the very reason we invited such an eminent international urban designer as Professor Laura Lee to this state was so that we could improve the design of our state, and integrated design is exactly what this state needs.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Yes, we do need better design in this city, and that is exactly why we wish to have somebody of international stature to gain the benefit of that.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Ridgway will have to calm down.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Destroying our city? Clearly, the only way—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Presumably that means that the honourable member believes that Adelaide Oval should remain a 19th century museum piece for cricket. Presumably, he will be going along dressed like Dr W. Grace, with a long beard. The fact is—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: You got it wrong. You didn't ask anybody about the hospital, did you?

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: What a pity the Leader of the Opposition was not in Melbourne when they did the MCG. He could have kept the old facilities at the MCG. If he had been in Melbourne, he might have been able to keep the MCG like it was, without building a new stadium, which just happens to be the most popular sporting stadium in this country. What a tragedy he was not able to keep that stadium as it was in the 19th century.

What a tragedy that he was not up at the Gabba. What a tragedy that he was not in Brisbane to stop the Gabba being converted into a modern stadium. What a tragedy that the people of Brisbane did not have the benefit of his opinion. What a tragedy that they could still have the Brewongle Stand at the SCG, even though it would have been uncomfortable and no-one would have used it. What a tragedy that his views did not prevail in Sydney so they could have had that stadium.

The reason that we are now in the process of establishing an integrated design commission is so that we can get better design in the city. We are doing it because the way in which designing has been done in the city in the past has left a lot to be desired in terms of linking it up. The provision of the facility at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital is compatible with the principles of integrated design. We are starting to build this—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Honestly, Mr President—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister might have come to the conclusion that the Hon. Mr Ridgway is not interested in his answer.

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