What’s happening?
The Australian Institute of Architects has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement that it will progress the sale of surplus Defence land.
This includes the historic Victoria Barracks sites in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
The Institute says these places hold deep cultural and architectural value. They are rare inner-city precincts with the scale to deliver enduring public benefit if shaped with care.
“Victoria Barracks are more than real estate assets; they are important parts of our civic story,” said Adam Haddow, National President, Australian Institute of Architects.
“Any future redevelopment must protect heritage significance, respect Country, and deliver high-quality outcomes that Australians can be proud of.”
The Institute emphasises that divestment at this scale requires strong design governance from the outset. It is calling for 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.”
Why it matters
The sale of Victoria Barracks represents a major land transition in key capital cities. These are established precincts with long-standing civic and architectural importance.
The Institute argues that decisions made now will shape how these sites contribute to public life for decades.
In Queensland, Victoria Barracks, Brisbane has long been part of the city’s fabric. It currently hosts office-based Defence functions and the Army Museum of South East Queensland.
The Institute says the next chapter must expand public access and unlock broader community benefit.
Local Impact
In Brisbane, the potential redevelopment of Victoria Barracks carries significant local interest. The site sits within the inner city and has historic and institutional significance.
Queensland Chapter President Caroline Stalker said the opportunity must be handled with care and transparency.
“Selling a site like Victoria Barracks creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity to give something back to the public realm,” she said.
“We want to see transparent processes, strong cultural and heritage safeguards, and design-led planning that prioritises streets, parks, culture and community uses alongside any housing or commercial components.”
The Institute is calling on governments to require best-practice design governance. This includes early heritage assessment, meaningful community engagement and independent design review so these precincts become places people celebrate for generations.
By the numbers
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Around 14,500 members are represented by the Australian Institute of Architects across Australia and overseas, underscoring the national reach of its position.
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Three historic Victoria Barracks sites are included in the proposed sale, located in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, marking a significant multi-city divestment.
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One Brisbane site has long accommodated Defence office functions and the Army Museum of South East Queensland, placing public and heritage interest at the centre of discussions.
Zoom In
The Institute’s focus is clear. It wants heritage significance protected, Country respected, and design quality upheld.
It argues that strong governance at the start of the process will determine whether these sites deliver genuine public benefit.
The call for a Federal Government Architect is positioned as a structural reform to provide consistent national design leadership across Commonwealth projects and land transitions.
Zoom Out
Nationally, the Institute describes itself as the peak body for the architectural profession in Australia. It is an independent national member organisation with around 14,500 members across Australia and overseas.
The organisation exists to advance the interests of members, professional standards and contemporary practice. It also advocates the value of architects and architecture to the sustainable growth of communities, the economy and culture.
The Institute actively works to maintain and improve the quality of the built environment by promoting better, responsible and environmental design.
What to look for next?
Attention will now turn to how governments structure the sale and redevelopment pathway for Victoria Barracks, Brisbane and the other sites.
Heritage assessment, community engagement and independent design review will likely be key benchmarks as the process unfolds.
