The Australian Institute of Architects South Australia Chapter welcomes the Federal Government's announcement that it will progress the sale of surplus Defence land, including four sites in South Australia identified for divestment.
South Australia's Defence properties represent rare and strategically located precincts that warrant careful stewardship as they transition from Commonwealth use.
"These places hold deep cultural and architectural value. Some are also rare inner-city precincts with the scale to deliver enduring public benefit if the next chapter is shaped with care," said Adam Haddow, National President, Australian Institute of Architects.
The Institute emphasises divestment at this scale requires strong design governance from the outset, including early heritage assessment, meaningful community engagement, and independent design review.
"This is exactly why Australia needs a Federal Government Architect," Mr Haddow said. "A Government Architect working at the national level would provide consistent, expert design leadership across Commonwealth projects and land transitions, ensuring heritage is safeguarded, public benefit is maximised, and design quality is upheld in the national interest. When the Commonwealth reshapes city-defining precincts, it must do so with the same rigour we expect of any major public project."
South Australia: shaping a lasting civic legacy
The four South Australian Defence sites flagged for sale present a significant opportunity to contribute to housing supply, employment, open space and cultural infrastructure — but only if redevelopment is driven by long-term public value rather than short-term fiscal return.
"Transitions of Defence land are complex and consequential," said Kirstie Coultas, South Australia Chapter President, Australian Institute of Architects. "These sites are part of South Australia's civic and cultural fabric. Their redevelopment must protect heritage, respect Country, respond to climate realities and deliver places that genuinely enrich the public realm."
The Institute urges both Commonwealth and State Governments to ensure transparent planning pathways, rigorous heritage assessment and independent design oversight from the earliest stages.
"We want to see precincts that prioritise streets, parks, community uses and adaptive reuse — alongside any residential or commercial development," Ms Coultas said. "Once these lands leave Commonwealth hands, the quality of their transformation will define their contribution to South Australia for generations."
The Institute calls on all levels of government to embed the following principles in the disposal and redevelopment process:
- Early and rigorous heritage assessment
- Meaningful engagement with Traditional Owners and local communities
- Independent design review
- Clear public-interest objectives prioritised over short-term financial return
These extraordinary precincts must become places South Australians value and celebrate for generations to come.
About us:
The Australian Institute of Architects (Institute) is the peak body for the architectural profession in Australia. It is an independent, national member organisation with around 14,000 members across Australia and overseas. The Institute exists to advance the interests of members, their professional standards and contemporary practice, and expand and advocate the value of architects and architecture to the sustainable growth of our communities, economy and culture. The Institute actively works to maintain and improve the quality of our built environment by promoting better, responsible and environmental design.
