Lake Boort Scarred Trees Masterplan

2023 AILA National Award of Excellence for Tourism

ASPECT Studios, Victoria, Australia (Photo by Paul Haw)

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) is the peak body in Australia who represent all Registered landscape architects. With over 56 years of experience, AILA has played an important role in influencing Australian society through its commitment to landscape architecture. AILA’s National Advocacy Committee encompasses AILA Board members and general members. The current chair Rohan Buckley leading committee members include CEO Ben Stockwin, Brittany Johnston, Libby Phillips, Ashleigh Casserly, Tim Field, and Mimi Tsai. The committee started drafting AILA Advocacy manifesto as a pre-election advocacy work in 2022 and advised the important role of landscape architects in designing and planning for livable, sustainable environments in Australia to all political parties. Based on the success of this document, in a post-election context, the Committee has transformed this election manifesto into a strategic document to guide AILA’s advocacy work beyond 2022. The Manifesto not only set the advocacy priorities for AILA in alignment with the Committees work for instance but also has made influences on some of AILA’s on going works in recent years naming:

1. Advocacy in COP29: Based on AILA’s advocacy work at COP29. Recently, AILA submitted proposals to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in August this year. These submissions highlight the importance of landscape architects’ expertise in addressing climate challenges.
2. State Chapters’ advocacy: AILA’s manifesto has significantly influenced its State Chapters’ advocacy efforts, particularly in the context of state and local elections. By actively engaging with policymakers and communities, AILA aims to promote sustainable practices and enhance the role of landscape architects in shaping urban environments.
3. Urban Green Infrastructure: AILA CEO Ben Stockwin has been one of the key players in developing the Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) Handbook, which was jointly published with Standards Australia. This handbook provides essential guidelines for integrating green infrastructure into urban planning and design. The Advocacy Committee has been proactive in several areas:

• Ministerial Advocacy: Engaging with government officials to advocate for policies that support sustainable landscapes.
• Professional Development Training: Offering training programs related to UGI and other critical aspects of landscape architecture.

4. Climate and Biodiversity Action: AILA’s commitment extends beyond State boundaries. The organization actively participates in Climate and Biodiversity Action initiatives, emphasizing the role of landscape architects in addressing environmental challenges.
5. Australian First Nations Recognition: AILA’s Advocacy Committee recognize and value the knowledge and contributions of Australian First Nations to the land. By fostering these connections, AILA aims to create a more inclusive and respectful landscape architecture profession that honors Indigenous perspectives and the First Nations people.

There are four main directions that form AILA’s advocacy work. These are rooted in AILA’s commitment to creating exceptional places that foster healthy communities and contribute to a sustainable planet. With close to 3000 members driven by AILA’s values. Our advocacy work is grounded in our unwavering belief that well-designed and purposeful infrastructure can offer positive solutions to the myriad social, cultural, environmental, and economic challenges confronting our living environment.

1. Climate & Biodiversity Positive Design

Based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Advocacy Committee urges the need for attaining global net zero carbon emissions by 2040. This is to set Australia as one of the world leaders for climate justice and social wellbeing. Working at the forefront in the design profession, we understand the importance of developing a national climate resilience plan. Working in this profession, AILA understand the need to convene a national built environment Climate Resilience Summit to include collaboration of landscape architects, architects, planners, engineers, insurers, and financiers in government, private business and community to drive the development of a pro-active resilience design plan for Australia.

On a practical level, we urge the Federal government to transform all infrastructure projects into climate-positive endeavors. Members from AILA have developed a tool to calculate a project’s emission, Three volumes of climate positive design action plans. Relevant professional development training over the past couple years to influence change. However, this work will still need the support from legislation and standards. The Federal Government must act on recent Senate Reports in particular “Australia’s Fauna Extinction Crisis” which call for new legislation to limit the drivers of extinction like deforestation, environmental degradation, and climate change. By strengthening legislative standards, the Australian government can tackle biodiversity extinction and support biodiversity positive cities and regions.

On a macro level, the committee extends the advocacy work to recognise the role of the built environment in protecting and enhancing ecosystems and responding to the Environmental Protection Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act for developing actionable outcomes. We recommend legislating nest sites and constructed habitat to host a diversity of flora and fauna, so that net biodiversity gain is achieved through developments.

Hanlon Park / Bur’uda Waterway Rejuvenation

Climate Positive Design, 2023 AILA National Climate Positive Design Award

Brisbane City Council, Tract, Bligh Tanner, Epoca Constructions, and AECOM

QLD (Photo by Christopher Frederick Jones)

2. Urban Green Infrastructure

A critical aspect of our work involves advocating for Urban Green Infrastructures (UGI), emphasizing the need for their recognition as valuable assets and raising awareness among government organizations and private practices. Our committee views UGI as a pivotal force in improving the livability and sustainability of urban and regional areas in Australia over the next 5-10 years. We propose that the Australian government strategically establish networks of natural and semi-natural environments. These networks would deliver environmental, social, and economic benefits to society. To kickstart this transformation, the Australian Treasury must officially recognize UGI as an asset class. This recognition would ensure that green infrastructure becomes an integral part of major federally funded projects, including those listed by Infrastructure Australia. Additionally, we recommend grouping low-budget infrastructure projects (with a budget of less than AUD$250 million) for independent review by Infrastructure Australia. This approach maximizes opportunities for showcasing successful sustainability case studies related to green infrastructure targets.

Drawing insights from countries with advanced UGI advocacy experience, we propose the establishment of a Green Infrastructure Fund as part of Australia’s national climate resilience and recovery plan. This fund would facilitate sustained investment in green infrastructure, fostering connectivity among urban ecosystems through a unified National Urban Green Infrastructure Framework. Additionally, our advocacy work aligns with AILA’s call for setting national canopy cover and understorey targets at the practice level. By creating a comprehensive framework for urban and regional tree canopy, complete with clear, defined, and measurable goals, cities and communities can enhance their tree cover and promote environmental well-being.

3. Workforce and Gender Equity

AILA is actively advocating for proactive measures to foster a future workforce and reduce the gender pay gap within the landscape architecture profession in Australia. Currently, the gender pay gap in this profession for full-time professionals in this domain stands at 10%. This disparity is likely influenced by limited opportunities for part-time professionals and a skills shortage. To address this issue, AILA emphasizes the importance of supporting female landscape architects through equitable pay, flexible working arrangements, paid parental leave, affordable childcare, and respectful workplaces. Furthermore, we recommend implementing the recommendations from the Jenkins Report: Respect@ Work: Sexual Harassment National Inquiry Report (2020). This report focuses on promoting a safe and respectful workplace environment for all women in landscape architecture and related professions. By collectively working toward these goals, we can create a more inclusive and equitable landscape architecture profession.

4. First Nations Recognition

As landscape architects, AILA actively amplifies First Nations individuals, professionals, collaborations, projects, and practices. We deeply respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the world’s longest continuous living culture. To enhance our understanding and care for the landscape, we engage with Traditional Custodians, integrating their age-old knowledge of land and waters. AILA advocates for enshrining First Nations people’s rights in the constitution and supports the Makarrata Commission’s truth-telling process. We recommend pathways for employing First Nations Landscape Architects and emphasize their cultural authority in managing heritage. AILA stands for reconciliation and equitable opportunities in design and built environment professions.

Lake Tyers (Bung Yarnda) Camping and Access Strategy

2022 AILA National Award of Excellence for Land Management

Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation in Joint Management with Parks Victoria

Victoria, Australia (Photo by Anne-Marie Pisani)

Link to the full Manifesto

https://www.aila.org.au/Web/Web/Advocacy/Advocacy.aspx?hkey=740015c5-168a-418c-b5fc-fb28e4ca79d7