Land Use and Development

The place of the people will remain relevant if a balance is maintained between the working political functions of the seat of government and the national cultural institutions. Major shifts in this balance would make the Parliamentary Zone into either, a theme park of attractions, or an office environment devoid of people outside of working hours.

Current, permissible land uses include parliamentary uses, appropriate National Capital uses and other uses that enhance the function and character of the area. This can include limited commercial and tourism facilities. These land uses remain appropriate and relevant to future developments.

This review anticipates a 50-year timeframe for future developments including buildings, landscapes and associated works.

Accordingly, a number of sites within the Zone will be reserved for future use in four main categories:

Seat of Government - Commonwealth Parliament of Australia
Seat of Government - Agencies of the Commonwealth of Australia
National (cultural) institutions
Facilities and amenities for the public

The working population of Parliament House is probably now twenty-five percent higher than was envisaged in the early 1980s. Assuming this growth continues, Parliament House will need to expand in the first 10-15 years of the century. The first site proposed for this expansion will be the two existing car parks located either side of Federation Mall between East Block and West Block. Three storey buildings with multi-level basement car parking would yield considerable amounts of quality floor space.

Future growth of government agency functions could readily be accommodated in the campuses located around the Treasury and John Gorton buildings. Because they are at or near the centre of the Zone, these two campuses will also be the locations for low-scale structured car parks that will house the shuttle bus service as well as housing some limited retail amenities such as dry cleaners, newsagents and flower shops.

Expansion in the national institutions will occur over time. It is likely that the National Gallery of Australia and the National Archives of Australia will expand in the future, and provision has been made for this on sites adjacent to their present locations.

Any long-term requirements for new cultural institutions can also be accommodated in the proposed campuses. There are ample new building sites (many currently used for surface parking) associated with the Arts and Civic campus and the Humanities and Science campus. Typically, it is proposed that the National Aerospace Centre be sited next to the National Science and Technology Centre in the Humanities and Science campus.

The site to the west of the Land Axis and north of Dame Edith Lyons Place (currently an informal car park) is the highest profile remaining site available for a new building in the place of the people. This site will be reserved for a significant national building, such as a National Theatre and Concert Hall.

King Edward Terrace will develop a ‘mainstream character’ over time with intersection changes, additional pedestrian crossings, broader paths and more consistent avenue planting. Providing concessions and convenient services for the public along the Terrace will reinforce this character.

Finally, Commonwealth Place - the new focus of public activities in the place of the people – will provide amenities and facilities such as restaurants, coffee shops, and exhibitions for the public.