Photographer

Tony establish Blackwell & Associates in 1987 and has, in all, over 40 years of experience working as a Landscape Architect and Urban Designer on projects spanning Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and throughout much of Western Australia.He believes that the fundamental purpose of design is to:‘improve the environment in which we live’. His passion for Perth and the unique Western Australian environment stems from the question of ‘what it means to dwell in a place’ and how we can leave a positive legacy for future generations. As such he is a passionate advocate for our natural and urban environments with a strong focus on creating special places for people by adding value through considered and robust design contributions. A key area of interest that Tony has championed for many years is research into mitigating the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and how this can be achieved through a ‘design triage’ approach, including treating ‘streets as an extension of the public open space system’. This interest extends from Urban Forestry, as a broad brushed approach, to more strategic and targeted design interventions aimed at encouraging people to get outside and truly enjoy our open spaces.Some of the projects that Tony has been responsible include:• Claremont Town Centre / Bayview Terrace Revitalisation Master Plan; • Leighton 4Ha Subdivision Plaza & Open Space Development; • Scarborough Beach Urban Design Master Plan & Stage 1 Amphitheatre Development; • Leighton Oceanside Parkland Master Plan & Stage 1 Development; • City Beach Master Plan; • Jindee Smart Growth Development Landscape Master Plan; • City Of Armadale Redevelopment Master Plan.He is also a keen surfer and photographer.

In 2012 Tony was invited to be the Professional Representative on the Central Perth Planning Committee. The Committee was established to oversee and provide direction for planning in the Perth central area. It exercises delegated authority to deal with the City of Perth local planning scheme and scheme amendments; the Metropolitan Region Scheme and amendments; subdivisions, strata titles, leases and licences; and development on reserved land in the City of Perth.

In recognition of his “significant contribution to the work and activities of the University” Tony was offered a position as Adjunct Professor in the School of Architecture, Landscape & Visual Arts at UWA.

Tony was the Winthrop Professor and Chair of Landscape Architecture in ALVA at UWA for 2.5 years being tasked with getting the new Master of Landscape Architecture nationally accredited.

Tony is one of two Institute members charged with heading up AILA's Governance and Company Constitution Taskforce which was established to undertake a comprehensive review of the operation and future role of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects. This autonomous Taskforce is tasked to investigate, research, consult over a two year period with a view to making supported recommendations to the Board for future constitutional and governance arrangements.