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Introduction
In 1998 the Commonwealth Government of Australia announced that the National
Capital Authority would undertake a strategic review of the Parliamentary
Zone and initiate the development of a master plan.
In recent years, public concerns about the Zone have included the lack
of people spaces, problems relating to through-traffic and car parking,
the physical isolation of major buildings from each other, the incomplete
pedestrian network and the ageing of significant landscape items. The
review found a growing interest in the place of indigenous culture in
the National Capital as well as a desire for more historical interpretation
and commemoration.
As well as responding to these and other issues, the review was aimed
at refreshing and promulgating the historical vision for the Parliamentary
Zone that has the Griffin plan at its foundation. The review also
focused on finding an innovative and practical means of translating a
new vision into reality.
In developing the principles, objectives, initiatives and implementation
outlined in this report, the National Capital Authority:
- Researched the planning and social history of the Parliamentary Zone
to establish a context for the decisions made over the decades.
- Appointed an Advisory Panel, comprising Authority member James Birrell
(Chairman of the panel), Michael Ball, Romaldo Giurgola, AO, Geraldine
O’Brien and Professor James Weirick.
- Undertook consultations (which included focus groups around the country)
to establish what Australians think of Canberra and to seek their responses
to several key projects. Detailed consultations were also held with
key institutions in Canberra and briefings were held with leading professional
groups.
- Through the Advisory Panel, developed the project’s Statement of Principles,
featuring the place of the people theme.
- Sifted the results of its historical research and consultations to
determine the critical issues for the review, highlighting points arising
from current deficiencies and changes to make the Zone the place
of the people.
- Developed an Organisational Framework to show how design proposals
for the future of the Parliamentary Zone can be ordered to meet the
Statement of Principles.
- Combined the Statement of Principles and Statement of Critical Issues
into a Statement of Objectives that qualifies the character of future
development in the Zone.
- As part of the Statement of Objectives, proposed a series of Intentions
and Initiatives to address the objectives.
- Developed a program for the incremental implementation of the initiatives
to progress the Zone well into the 21st century.
Report Structure
Background Papers
Statement of Intent
Significance and Development
Consultation
Event Chronology 1900-98
Culture and Commemoration
Cultural Analysis
Transport and Parking
Environment and Management
Placemaking and Pedestrian Movement
State Circle Residential Areas – Planning Review
Working Titles
Some initiatives have been ascribed working titles, typically ‘Commonwealth
Place’ (also called the ‘Great Verandah’ in consultation), the ‘East
West Promenade’ and the ‘Walking Track’. The eventual choice of names
for these places will be considered by Government and will be an important
step in building ownership of the Parliamentary Zone for all Australians.
Background Papers
Background Papers are available from:
- National Capital Authority web site: www.nationalcapital.gov.au
- National Capital Authority Information Centre
Second Floor Treasury Building Newlands Street Parkes ACT 2600 Australia
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