Pedestrian Pathways

Direct, sheltered paths connecting major destinations will substantially improve the public realm of the Parliamentary Zone. Encouraging people to leave their cars in one destination and to explore the attractions of the Zone as pedestrians will add to the vibrancy and life of the place of the people.

As with many of the other landscape elements in Zone, pathways have been installed at different times and mainly to serve particular buildings. The result is that around each building there are appropriate paths leading from car parks to entries but there is no comprehensive system through the Zone. The only landscape space that provides good pedestrian circulation is Parkes Place between King George Terrace and King Edward Terrace.

Most people will walk 400-500 metres in 5 minutes if the route is easy to negotiate. To encourage them to walk a greater distance requires a clear path that has along it points of interest, shelter and seating. At present, if a visitor took a five minute walk from the front entry of any of the existing buildings in the Zone, they would in most instances, end up in the middle of the Land Axis, a road or a car park.

Typically, a person walking from Parliament House to the lake, will start out on the concrete pathways of Federation Mall, will then negotiate the roads and car parks around Old Parliament House, then cross King George Terrace and take a gravel path through Parkes Place before crossing King Edward Terrace (provided there is a long enough break in the traffic). Finally, the pedestrian will walk nearly half a kilometre on grass, without paths, down to the lake. Along this whole route there is no specific signage and precious few seats.

A legible and consistent path system, connecting all the parts of the place of the people, will be gradually introduced and will improve the pedestrian experience.

The first paths to be installed will be in the northern part of the Zone, linking King Edward Terrace and the lake. Linking with the pathways that now terminate at the northern edge of Parkes Place, the new paths will run down each side of the open space that forms the Land Axis to the lake. Pedestrian crossings will be provided on King Edward Terrace along these paths at appropriate points to afford a safe pedestrian environment.

The East – West Promenade will make a major contribution to the path system in the northern section of the Zone.

In the vicinity of Old Parliament House, it is recommended that the existing perimeter roads be replaced with an expansive paved plaza or square. This would give the building an appropriate dignified setting and create a generous new pedestrian environment where currently only narrow footpaths and roads exist. To further connect Old Parliament House with the other parts of the Zone, some form of secondary entry should be created at the rear of the building facing Parliament House.

In association with the paths, cycle access for both commuter and recreational cyclists will be provided. The cycleway network is to be linked to the existing system, encouraging access and especially cycling around the Lake. All major attractions will be similarly connected and secure facilities for cycle storage is to be installed at these locations.

Completion of the pedestrian pathways will help make the place of the people welcoming, accessible and legible.