Jill Garner, Victoria’s new government architect.
Image: Courtesy Office of the Victorian Government Architect
Victorian planning minister Richard Wynne has appointed Jill Garner as the state’s government architect.
Garner joined the Office of the Victorian Government Architect (OVGA) in 2010 as an associate architect. She has been acting government architect since Geoffrey London stepped down from the role in October 2014.
Garner is also co-founder of Garner Davis Architects and has also held teaching positions at RMIT University and the University of Melbourne in subjects including design, architectural history and contemporary theory.
“Jill Garner’s wealth of experience in advocating for architectural design and innovation will drive best-practice design in Victoria’s projects, which is what the community needs for the future,” planning minister Richard Wynne said.
In announcing Garner’s appointment, the Victorian government also signalled the OVGA’s Design Review Panel will have stronger powers in assessing the development of Melbourne as well as providing independent advice on significant developments. The Design Review Panel’s decisions will also be made publicly available.
The role of the government architect was repositioned from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet to the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure under the previous Napthine Government in 2013.
In May 2015, the Andrews Government moved to reinstate the position of government architect back to the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
