Visionary former Victorian planning minister dies

Evan Walker, former Victorian planning minister.

Evan Walker, former Victorian planning minister.

Image: Parliament of Victoria

The Honourable Evan Walker AO, architect and former Victorian planning minister who was responsible for the redevelopment of the Southbank precinct, has died aged 79.

Walker was the minister for planning from 1982 to 1990 in John Cain’s Labor government. The state of the planning portfolio, which Walker inherited from the previous government, was described by Cain as “a mess.” As well as Southbank, Walker’s legacies include Melbourne’s sporting precinct and the MCG lights as well as CBD planning controls, protection of views of St Paul’s Cathedral and the heritage protection of Collins Street. Victorian premier Daniel Andrews said, “He protected our past and planned for our future.”

Walker was born in 1935 and attended Boxhill Grammar and Melbourne High School before studying a Diploma of Architecture at RMIT and Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Melbourne, graduating top of his class in 1959. He later became Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at the University of Melbourne from 1991 to 1994.

In 1963, he co-founded Daryl Jackson Evan Walker (now Jackson Architecture), a practice that later became know for its innovative school and university projects. From 1965 to 1969, Walker practised in Toronto after winning the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and studying a Master of Architecture at the University of Toronto.

When he returned to Australia, he joined the Australian Labor Party, and in 1979, Walker was elected to the Victorian upper house as Member for Melbourne. As a minister, his portfolios also included rural affairs, Aboriginal affairs, industry, major projects and arts. He was also Leader of the Government in the upper house.

Walker’s contribution to planning and policy making were not limited to Victoria. Following his departure from politics, he served as a member of the Prime Minister’s Urban Design Task Force (1993-1995) Chairman of National Capital Authority (Tasmania) from 1993, as well as member of Docklands Authority (1998–2005).

He’s also received numerous awards including Barrett Medal of the Town and Country Planning Association (1986), Honorary Fellow of Royal Australian Institute of Planning (1987), and President’s Award of Royal Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Chapter (1987). In 1996 he was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).

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