Latest News

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	Finalist - BPN Sustainability Awards Visionary Design Development's Two Townhouses project has reached the list of finalists in the 2010 BPN Sustainability Awards. Presentation of the awards will take place in Sydney on 13 October 2010. *Now in its fourth year, the 2010 BPN* Sustainability Awards rewards designers, builders and manufacturers for best practice in sustainability.**
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	Affordable Housing in Bushfire Affected Areas The Victorian Bushfire Recovery and Reconstruction Authority, the Department of Human Services and the Office of the Victorian Government Architect ran a competition in which Victorian builders and architects were invited to submit tenders for the design and construction of three-bedroom homes there were six-star energy rated and BAL 40 bushfire compliant. Winning team of builder, Wheeler Design & Construction and architect, Visionary Design Development are presently constructing a demonstration home at 58 Falls Road, Marysville. View the full presentations at the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction Authority Join Visionary Design Development on Facebook to follow Coco's progress.
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	August 5 2010 - Fiji Site Visit During a productive trip to Suva in early August, Mary Ann took the opportunity to review accessibility requirements at the new Pacific Eye Institute which is currently under construction. PEI's 2011 programs will take place in this brand new, state of the art building which will house a fully-equipped eye clinic, classrooms and resource centre.
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	Yarra Sustainability Awards Announced 8 June 2010. VDD project Permit Zone receives Highly Commended award in City of Yarra’s inaugral Sustainability Awards in category Innovation in Sustainable Building Design. Congratulations to all the VDD team, clients and Builder, Original Renovations.
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	Update: Fiji Access Consulting On-site, 8 April 2010 L to R, Ralph (VDD), Losalini (General Manager, Pacific Eye Institute), Dickson (representing Alfonso Margarit Associates, Architects), Glenn (Site Construction Manager, Pacific Building Solutions), photo taken by Mary Ann (VDD). Although being hindered by rain this week, construction of the new Eye Clinic for the Pacific Eye Institute is now underway and expected to be completed by December 2010. Ralph and Mary Ann are currently in Fiji to understand first-hand the mobility issues that persons with a disability face when accessing the existing hospital and the new clinic.
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	February 2010 Projects Under Construction Compare a new, two unit development in the inner north with an eclectic rear-of-house addition in the city's west. Both projects near completion, each reflecting the specific needs of the client in contrasting approaches. More......»
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	VDD Donates $US1500 to Argentinian medical NGO Pilotos Solidarios Dr Gerardo Sola C.E.O. of Fundación Pilotos Solidarios thanks Mary Ann Jackson for Visionary Design Development’s donation. Ralph and Mary Ann have a previous association with this Argentine NGO through being intermediatries for the Ducati Owners Club of Victoria when the club donated two motorcycles to Pilotos Solidarios during 2005. Small motorcycles with off road capabilit are the most effective way to deliver medical supplies and transport patients on ‘roads’ often impassible to 4WDs. The organisation works in remote areas of Argentina where communities with low income suffer from many chronic health problems such as Chagas Disease and contamination of the water supply with arsenic. All medical personel, GPs nurses, surgeons, specialist physicians and dentists, donate their time and supply much needed medications often at their own personal cost. As well as wide range of medcial care they make use of other interventions such as bed nets (to stop transmission of Chagas – which causes heart failure) and filtration devices to remove arsenic. Gerardo writes from Buenos Aires … Hola Ralph!! Sí la donación llegó sin problemas!! Pudimos hacer los trámites muy bien, y ese dinero sirvió para pagar los seguros, las patentes y los arreglos y el mantenimiento de las motos. Muchísimas gracias! Hello Ralph!! Yes the donation arrived without problems!! We can proceed now as that money allowed us to pay insurances, taxes and maintenance and repair of the motorcycles. A million thanks! Gerardo Sola Fundación Pilotos Solidarios PROMOVER LA SALUD Y EL DESARROLLO DE LAS COMUNIDADES RURALES AISLADAS Read more about DOCV Motorcycle donation to Pilotos Solidarios........»
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	September 2009 AN ACCESSIBLE BUILT ENVIRONMENT In late September, Ralph Green and Mary Ann Jackson, Directors of Visionary Design Development Pty Ltd, were delighted to spend two days with seven participants from Timor-Leste delivering VDD’s short course, An Accessible Built Environment. The course was part of the program, Developing Disability-Inclusive Water and Sanitation Policy and Practice in Timor-Leste, being provided by the CBM - Nossal Institute Partnership for Disability Inclusive Development. “Access to clean water and adequate sanitation are basic necessities for survival, and fundamental human rights. However, people with disabilities are often excluded from water and sanitation development activities, resulting in a higher incidence of illness and secondary disability; and the reinforcement of dependency and poverty. In Timor-Leste, people with disabilities are generally excluded from water and sanitation programs due to the limited technical capacity to plan and implement disability-inclusive water and sanitation activities. This program will bring together key stakeholders from the NGO sector and Disabled Persons Organisations to strengthen individual and organisational knowledge in disability-inclusive development, enhance technical skills in disability-inclusive water and sanitation planning, and strengthen cross-sectoral networks within Timor-Leste.” (CBM - Nossal Institute Partnership for Disability Inclusive Development.) Visionary Design Development Pty Ltd would like to thank the CBM - Nossal Institute Partnership for the opportunity to be involved and would also like to specially thank our invited guests: Chris Porter, Architect and Access Consultant; Francesca Davenport, Architect and Access Consultant; Vickie Feretopoulos, Senior Social Planner, Access and Inclusion, City of Melbourne; Annie McIntyre, Senior Project Manager, Housing and Building Policy, Department of Planning and Community Development; Matthew Bond, Engineer, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, and Rural Energy, for their valuable assistance. Government organisations, DPOs or NGOs interested in An Accessible Built Environment contact Mary Ann Jackson, Managing Director, Visionary Design Development Pty Ltd.
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	South America Trade Mission May 2009 5 DAYS, 16 MEETINGS, 4 CITIES, 2 COUNTRIES While many developed-world countries are struggling with the demands of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), the global crisis doesn't seem to have affected direct foreign investments in Latin America and the Caribbean. These investments are showing a significant resistance to economic meltdown and in 2008 reached a record US$139 billion up 9.4% from the previous year according to the United Nations Conference on trade and Development. Together Argentina, 40 million, and Brazil, 190 million, accommodate approximately 230 million people. These two countries also contain three of the top twenty five mega-cities, namely in descending order Sao Paulo (approx 21 million), Buenos Aires (approx 14 million) and Rio de Janeiro (approx 12.5 million). Such numbers indicate the scale of urbanisationand attendant challenges in South America. Victoria’s Construction and Related Industries expertise, experience and innovation have helped create Victoria’s great quality of life and Melbourne one of the world’s most liveabe cities. Therefore, improving commercial and cultural exchange between Victoria and South America in relation to sustainable development will definitely benefit both sides. Tremendous opportunities exist for Victoria to export its sustainable development expertise, technologies, products and services particularly in the fields of; urban planning, architecture, environmental technologies, engineering and ESD. Specific sectors of the Construction and Related Industries where opportunities lie include: * Waterfront and Docklands redevelopment * City rejuvenation * Sports and events Stadia * Petrochemical and * Transportation. For more information about Construction and Related Industries opportunities in Latin America, contact Mary Ann Jackson, Managing Director, Visionary Design Development Pty Ltd.
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	1 August 2009 Fiji Access Consulting Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand (FHNZ), supported by NZ Aid and AusAID, will be constructing a new Eye Clinic and upgrading an existing diabetic retinopathy clinic, in Suva Fiji. FHNZ have appointed Visionary Design Development Pty Ltd as the Access Consultant. All parties are committed to the provision of a world class eyecare facility. In accordance with AusAID’s Development for All: Towards a Disability-Inclusive Australian Aid Program 2009-2014 it is intended that the project also provide a model of accessibility for the region.
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	31 July 2009 Sustainability Assessment Training Mary Ann Jackson, Managing Director, achieves Accredited Home Sustainability Assessor Trainer. Home Sustainability Assessors have a working knowledge of how to affordably improve a home’s environmental performance, heating and cooling, energy consumption and water use making homes more comfortable, saving householder’s money and the environment. Assessor training requires attendance at an intensive 4 day course. The Home Sustainability Assessment Scheme program is supported by the Australian Government Department of Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts.
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	15 July 2009 ArtAbility returns to Fed Square in 2009 From 26 November 2008, thousands of visitors to The Atrium, Federation Square, viewed a magnificent collection of over 120 artworks created by 60 ethnic artists with a disability. Over half the works were sold, garnering income and recognition for the artists. This highly visible and prestigious venue will once again house the ADEC ArtAbility exhibition from 25 November - 1 December 2009. Expressions of interest are sought from individuals, groups and organisations who would like to submit works for exhibition. Artists must be persons with a disability and come from an ethnic background. More Information» Download - ArtAbility 2009 Expression of Interest Form
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	June 2009 THE BRIEF To create an inner city home to which the owners will retire. The living areas are to be on one level with the main bedroom suite to be added above. Lifestyle is the driving parameter. The new work, fittings and finishes are to flow with the character of the existing house and adhere to the principles of the Heritage overlay. Storage space is to be maximised, as is outdoor living space. An off-street car park is required. CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT Resources minimisation Space maximisation Cost-effectiveness Spatial impact Energy Efficiency External/internal connectivity Accessibility ....More Architecture/Planning»
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