MICK Gentleman has today announced that Professor Alastair Swayn has submitted his resignation as ACT Government Architect due to ill health.

“Chief Minister Jon Stanhope created the position in June 2010 and Professor Swayn was appointed as the ACT’s inaugural government architect,” Mick said.

“Professor Swayn was the ACT’s first Government Architect and has made a valued contribution to design quality in the development of our city during his five years of tenure.

“Alastair has represented the ACT on the Government Architects Network of Australia (GANA), hosting the annual conference in October 2013. He has ensured design and contemporary thinking is at the fore of decision making and assisted in placing Canberra as a small ‘new world city’.

“His most recent contributions have been to the City Plan and urban design strategy for Northbourne Avenue, as well as participation in the tendering and design development of the University of Canberra public hospital and the new courts complex on Vernon Circle.

“Good design is particularly valued by the Canberra community and integral to the Statement of Planning Intent that I released in 2015. The importance of independent highly qualified professional advice to government on cities is recognised world-wide, and is referenced in the Government’s ACT Planning Strategy,” the Minister Gentleman concluded.

Alastair Swayn was born in Scotland and travelled widely in Europe, Canada and South Africa. In 1973 he moved to Australia to work in Sydney with Collard Clark and Jackson joining the Canberra Office in 1979. Alastair remains a Director of Darryl Jackson Alastair Swayn (DJAS), one of Canberra’s leading architectural practices.

The Environment and Planning Directorate will shortly advertise for a new Government Architect.