As founding principal of Hill Thalis, architect and City of Sydney councillor Philip Thalis has won more than 60 awards, commendations and competitions for architecture, urban design, planning, public domain and heritage projects, and has also been involved in the design of over 80 projects, containing over 2000 apartments, many for builder developers.

Winner of the 2019 Sustainability Awards Future Sustainability Leader category and Thalis’s running mate HY William Chan has helped facilitate the community’s vision for Sydney as an appointed expert member to the City of Sydney’s Sydney 2050 Citizens Jury, where 50 everyday citizens were entrusted to craft Sydney’s 2050 strategic vision in a deliberative process.

This direct democracy approach he says, “devolves urban governance by tapping into the shared wisdom of the crowd for the greater good of everyone.”

“I’ve been motivated by Clover Moore and Philip Thalis’ long-standing policy and community action to defend public space, champion design excellence, and deliver sustainable and ethical urban governance.”

“Particularly, I look forward to championing and continuing our independent team’s work on addressing climate change and resilience, homelessness and affordable housing as well as heritage and adaptive reuse.

“I’m excited to work with the Building Better Buildings Partnership, for our City to collaborate with more owners and tenants to improve the energy, water and waste efficiency of buildings within our area and help facilitate the roll-out and connection to green infrastructure.”

Chan goes on to say that “I’m also passionate about tackling homelessness and housing affordability across our City: I believe housing is a right. Through urban planning controls, our city can continue to deliver supportive housing models and community housing innovation. Together with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, we will continue to advocate an increase in social and affordable housing in the city, particularly through a good outcome at Waterloo and Blackwattle Bay.”

“I will fight for our public spaces for a ‘Public Sydney’. By increasing our tree canopy and street planting, new green spaces, and skate parks, completing our safe and separated cycle network. And to deliver on our team’s Alfresco Sydney vision to activate our laneways, carparks and squares with vibrant commerce, arts and culture as part of our City’s COVID-19 recovery.”

For his part, Thalis goes on to say, “It has been a pleasure getting to better know our City in new and interesting ways. While on Council, I’ve particularly enjoyed chairing the Transport, Heritage and Planning Committee and the Local Pedestrian, Cycling and Traffic Calming Committee. I have also been a member of the Central Sydney Planning Committee and have been the City’s appointee to the Anzac Memorial Trust.”

“I have had the privilege of attending and hosting many local housing meetings to strongly advocate for social and affordable housing, and I have met with many of you on issues such as public domain improvements, pedestrian safety and public transport,” he says.

The complete 2021 Independent Team (see picture below) includes Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Scully, Councillor Robert Kok, Councillor Professor Philip Thalis, Councillor Jess Miller, Emelda Davis, HY William Chan, Adam Worling, Mike Galvin and Elaine Czulkowski.

“I’ve been motivated by Clover Moore and Philip Thalis’ long-standing policy and community action to defend public space, champion design excellence, and deliver sustainable and ethical urban governance.”

Images: Supplied

Main Image: Philip Thalis (L) and HY William Chan (R).

Branko Miletic

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