The National Capital Plan:
Principles and Policies

The Australian Capital Territory [Planning and Land Management] Act 1988 created the statutory framework and the division of responsibility between Federal and Territory governments for the management of Commonwealth land in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Under the ensuing legislation, the National Capital Plan came into effect in 1990. The object of the Plan is to ensure that Canberra and the Territory is planned and developed in accordance with its national significance.

The Parliamentary Zone, which is the “physical manifestation of Australian democratic government and is the home of the nation’s most important cultural and judicial institutions and symbols” (National Capital Plan 1990), is at the core of the Commonwealth’s interest in the planning of the Capital.

The Parliamentary Precincts Act 1988 defines the extent of the Zone. This Act provides that no building or other work can be erected on land within the Zone unless:

• the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives jointly have: or
• in any other case the Minister has;
• caused a proposal for the erection of a building or work to be laid before each House of Parliament and the proposal has been approved by resolution of each House.

The National Capital Authority is also required to give works approval under the ACT (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 before any construction can be undertaken.

The National Capital Plan addresses the Parliamentary Zone by listing the following principles and issues:

1.1.2 Principles for the Parliamentary Zone

1. Canberra’s role as Australia’s National Capital is of continuing and paramount importance. National functions, organisations and activities are actively encouraged to locate in Canberra. They should be housed and located in prominent positions where they serve, individually and collectively, as effective symbols of the National Capital.
2. Opportunities should be taken to enhance the international role of Canberra as Australia’s National Capital. Diplomatic representation, the establishment in Canberra of international organisations, and the holding of international events in Canberra are all encouraged as means of enhancing the National Capital’s international role.
3. The planning and development of the National Capital will seek to respect and enhance the main principles of Walter Burley Griffin’s formally adopted plan for Canberra.
4. The Parliamentary Zone and its setting remain the heart of the National Capital. In this area, priority will be given to the development of buildings and associated structures, which have activities and functions, that symbolise the Capital and through it the nation. Other developments in the area should be sited and designed to support the prominence of these national functions and reinforce the character of the area.
5. Planning and Development of the Territory beyond the Parliamentary Zone and its setting should enhance the national significance of both Canberra and the Territory.

1.1.3 Policies for the Parliamentary Zone and its Setting

1. Major national functions and activities that are closely connected with the workings of the Parliament or are of major national significance should be located in or adjacent to the National Triangle formed by Commonwealth, Kings and Constitution Avenues, to provide a strong physical and functional structure which symbolises the role of Canberra as the National Capital.
2. The preferred uses of the Parliamentary Zone are those that arise from its role as the physical manifestation of Australian democratic government and as the home of the nation’s most important cultural and judicial institutions and symbols. The highest standards of architecture will be sought for buildings located in the Parliamentary Zone.
3. Diplomatic activities should be established in places which are prestigious, have good access to Parliament House and other designated diplomatic precincts, and meet security requirements. They should be planned and designed to establish a distinct character and setting for each area reflecting their national and international significance.
4. National and international associations and institutions will be encouraged to locate in Canberra, and whenever practicable the District of Canberra Central will be the preferred location for them.

In addition, the National Capital Plan refers to the Parliamentary Zone Development Plan (National Capital Development Commission 1986) as the document which it is to guide all future development.