Ipswich recognised for sector-leading City Architect appointment
Published on 27 February 2026
Ipswich City Council has been recognised for the inaugural appointment of a City Architect to help sustainably manage the city’s growth alongside its heritage values.
Ipswich Deputy Mayor and Division 2 Councillor Nicole Jonic said council’s appointment of Mark Tendys as its first official City Architect in late 2024 has been recognised with the Australian Institute of Architects President’s Medal.
“This award recognises Ipswich as a growth council with a proud connection to our internationally renowned heritage,” Deputy Mayor Jonic said.
“Our city is known as a heritage city with beautiful, classic Queenslanders, iconic civic buildings and well-designed public spaces.
“Because of our liveability, rich heritage and cultural offerings, more and more people want to live, work and play in Ipswich. To manage this growth, we will need 100,000 more homes over the next two decades.
“The appointment of Ipswich’s inaugural City Architect was a city-shaping decision to respond to these challenges – managing our growth and protecting our local character.”
Deputy Mayor Jonic said Mr Tendys, now a member of council’s City Design Team, brought more than 25 years of project experience in private practice to the role.
Mr Tendys was previously Principal Architect at James Cubitt Architects and also a long-time member of the National Trust.
“Mark’s role is critical in helping council preserve our beautiful built heritage and design a sustainable future,” Deputy Mayor Jonic said.
“The City Architect is our design champion for all things architecture, heritage and place – helping us to blend old and new.
“In time, we would love to grow the functions of the City Architect with supporting roles that complement design functions in urban design, heritage architecture and placemaking.”
Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee Chairperson Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said that while council has had an architect involved in various formats of the heritage program since its inception more than 30 years ago, the appointment was significant following the move to a new coordinated approach with the Ipswich Heritage Plan 2025-2029.
The new plan provides the city with a strategic direction for proactive heritage management as well as greater protection of significant sites.
“The Ipswich Heritage Plan 2025-2029 is just the second heritage plan to be developed by a local council in Queensland,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“This five-year plan identifies council’s role in preserving, enhancing and celebrating Ipswich’s cultural and historical legacy, under the guidance of City Architect Mark Tendys.
“We have also introduced the new Ipswich City Plan 2025, which replaces a two-decade old planning scheme and promotes building up, not out, protecting our way of life and allowing for more than 100,000 homes to be built in the next 20 years in areas supported by transport and essential services.”
Australian Institute of Architects Queensland President Caroline Stalker congratulated Ipswich City Council.
“As one of Queensland’s fastest-growing LGAs, Ipswich has recognised that creating thriving communities isn’t only a planning exercise, it’s a design challenge. By appointing a City Architect to work alongside planners, engineers and councillors, council has strengthened its ability to respond proactively to rapid change,” Ms Stalker said.
“This leadership model ensures growth corridors, revitalisation projects and heritage areas are considered holistically — balancing housing delivery with liveability, character and climate responsiveness.
“Ipswich is demonstrating that when design expertise sits at the decision-making table, councils can move faster with greater clarity and community confidence and are leading the way in Queensland in this regard.
“That’s the kind of leadership and foresight Queensland needs as we shape the next chapter of our cities.”