Membership of the Board
Under the Architects Act 2003, the NSW Architects Registration Board will include six architects:
- the Government Architect
- a representative from an academic institution which conducts a course in architecture
- the past President of the NSW Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects
- an architect appointed by the Minister
- two architects elected by architects registered in NSW.
The Minister will appoint an additional five Board members. Four will individuals knowledgeable about the architectural profession who have a particular interest in, respectively, the views of homeowners; the property development sector; local government; and the building industry. The fifth will be a legal practitioner with expertise in building and construction law.
Election of two architect members
An election for the purposes of electing two architect members of the Board from and by registered architects will be held every two years. The returning officer – the Electoral Commissioner for New South Wales or a person from the Commissioner's office nominated by the Commissioner – conducts the election in accordance with Schedule 2 of the Regulations of the Architects Act 2003. The process is independent of the Board members and staff.
Notice of election
Notice of an election is published in at least one newspaper circulating generally throughout the State inviting nominations from architects to fill the two elected positions. The close of nominations must be not be earlier than 21 days after the publication of the notice and must not be later than 28 days after publication.
Nominations
All nominees and persons making nominations must be architects (ie on the NSW Register of Architects) at the time of close of nominations.
Nominations must be made in writing on the prescribed Form 1, available to download from the Board's website www.architects.nsw.gov.au
Nominations must be made by at least five qualified persons (ie architects on the Register) and include the written consent of the nominee.
If the number of nominees does not exceed the number of persons to be elected, each of the nominees is taken to have been elected. Where the number of nominees exceeds the number of persons to be elected, a ballot is held.
Candidates for election may submit a statutory declaration containing information intended for a candidate information sheet (to be distributed at the discretion of the returning officer with the ballot papers to all architects on the Register).
Ballot
Notice that a ballot is to be held must be published in at least one newspaper circulating generally throughout NSW. The close of the ballot must not be earlier than 28 days after the publication of the notice.
Ballot papers containing the names of all the candidates and, if applicable, candidate information sheets, are sent by the returning officer to all architects on the NSW Register of Architects. Votes must be recorded on the ballot paper in accordance with the directions shown on it, and papers returned by the closing date.
Ballot papers are received and scrutinised by the returning officer and counted to ascertain the results. Each candidate is entitled to appoint a scrutineer to represent them at all stages of the scrutiny.
Notice of results
As soon as is practicable after the election, the returning officer must notify the Minister of the names of the candidates elected.
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