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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-06-24 Daily Xml
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INTEGRATED DESIGN COMMISSIONER

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) (14:18): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: I advise the house that Mr Tim Horton, the distinguished Adelaide architect and President of the South Australian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, has been offered and has accepted the position of Integrated Design Commissioner for a two year appointment. A recommendation will be made by cabinet to Executive Council next week. Mr Horton will take up his position from 5 July 2010.

Tim Horton has an outstanding reputation as an architect and urban designer. Since graduating in architecture and environmental design he has held a number of major roles, both as an architect and on professional bodies.

Tim has been responsible for design work on major projects in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and, of course, South Australia. He currently practises at Hassell. Recently, Tim has been involved the design of the exemplary Adelaide Zoo entrance precinct (including the green wall) and the giant panda bamboo forest, and the Adelaide University Learning Hub (Hughes Plaza) master plan.

Tim's commitment to his profession has culminated in his appointment as President of the South Australia Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a position he now holds. He has also served as chair of the Architects National Practice Committee and as a juror for the Architecture Awards since 2008. Tim Horton is an exceptional South Australian and an exceptional architect, and he will make a significant difference to the design quality in this state. The government is grateful to him for accepting this important position as Integrated Design Commissioner.

The establishment of the Integrated Design Commission is a recommendation of Thinker in Residence Professor Laura Lee. Professor Lee was formerly head of architecture at Carnegie Mellon University in the United States and has held other distinguished appointments in other universities.

The South Australian government earlier this year asked Professor Lee to be our inaugural commissioner in order to turn her recommendations into reality. The announcement of the establishment of an Integrated Design Commission was hailed as visionary by Tim Horton himself on behalf of the Institute of Architects.

In relation to the appointment of Professor Lee as the inaugural commissioner, Tim Horton expressed the institute's deep respect for her understanding of the place of architecture in shaping more liveable, sustainable cities. He described Professor Lee as a highly respected architect and educator of international standing.

Professor Lee was due to begin her appointment part-time on 1 July. As the government had previously announced, Professor Lee advised the government that changed professional and family circumstances would make it difficult for her to take up her appointment on schedule. She inquired whether her appointment could be delayed until 1 September at the earliest.

Professor Lee has put an extraordinary amount of work into helping South Australia establish the IDC and on other design initiatives and is working closely with the Adelaide City Council on a separate but parallel strategy that has received substantial funding from the federal government. Regrettably, the government has had to advise Professor Lee that it cannot accede to her request for a delay in taking up the appointment, given the number of projects we are currently dealing with both in the central business district and the wider metropolitan area. She fully accepts the government's decision for the earliest possible start and, therefore, has asked to be relieved of her appointment. She has also offered to give Mr Horton, the government and the commission any advice or support needed to help give the commission a flying start. A government architect will also be appointed, and this position will be advertised nationally shortly.

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