Business Units
- Governance
- Plan and Urban Design
- Estate
- International Relations and Leasing
- Projects
- Exhibition and Outreach
Governance
The Governance Unit is the responsible for the corporate and governance functions in the NCA including corporate and business planning and reporting, human resources management, provision of legal advice, records management, audit, insurance, freedom of information, risk management, tender board.
The Unit acts as the primary contact point between the NCA and the Minister's Office, the Parliament, the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories and with the portfolio department.
The Unit also has responsibility for co-ordinating the majority of the NCA's legislative and other mandatory reporting responsibilities to Government, the Parliament and other APS agencies.
Planning and Urban Design
The Planning & Urban Design Unit is largely responsible for Output 1 as set out in the Portfolio Budget Statements. It is charged under the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 with the tasks of:
- preparing and administering a National Capital Plan (the Plan);
- keeping the Plan under constant review and proposing amendments to it when necessary.
These functions involve the preparation of planning policy (which form the basis of amendments to the Plan) Master Plans, Development Control Plans, Assessing works approval applications and monitoring the quality of buildings and other developments once completed. To date:
- thirty-five (35) amendments to the Plan have been approved
- a further seven (7) Draft Amendments are in progress
- sixty-nine (69) Development Control Plans have been approved and
- each year the Authority deals with 3-400 works approval applications.
Close liaison arrangements are maintained by the Unit with the Australian Capital Territory Planning and Land Authority, the Department of Transport and Regional Services, the Department of Finance and Administration and the Department of Environment and Heritage and with the development industry in Canberra.
The Planning & Urban Design Unit has a staff of 12 of which 9 are town planners and two are landscape architects. The professional team is supported by one office manager.
Estate
The Commonwealth has a direct interest in the development and maintenance of Canberra as an asset in which all Australians have a major investment because it is their National Capital.
The Estate Unit's primary focus is as asset managers. Land managed by the Authority includes the Parliamentary Zone (excluding the Parliamentary Precincts), Anzac Parade, Lake Burley Griffin, Commonwealth Park and Kings Park, Aspen Island, Acton Peninsular, Yarramundi Reach and the Diplomatic Estates. Associated assets include the Captain Cook Memorial Jet, the National Carillon, fountains, national monuments, public artworks and large areas of landscape structures and soft planting.
The Unit also provides a corporate service to the Authority through the management of its leasing requirements, vehicle fleet, telecommunications and consumables.
International Relations and Leasing
The International Relations and Leasing Unit is responsible for the management and administration of diplomatic leases including the negotiation, sale and issue of Crown leases, rent appraisal and collection, lease variations and compliance. These activities are coordinated with foreign missions and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The International Relations and Leasing Unit also manages licence agreements for use of its departmental properties at Commonwealth Place, National Capital Exhibition Centre, Commonwealth Park, Acton Peninsula and the Lobby Restaurant.
The Authority’s international relationship includes regular liaison with the diplomatic community and presentations and the provision of information to overseas delegations visiting the national capital. The International Relations and Leasing Unit also coordinates the Authority’s involvement with the Capitals Alliance, a forum which provides the opportunity to create linkages and encourages the sharing of visions and ideas for national capitals in the twenty-first century.
Projects
The Projects Unit is a multidisciplinary team of designers.
This unit is responsible for delivering Authority's Capital Works Program.
The Projects Unit has been central to the development of recent capital works. The unit's work has included the management of design competitions, engagement of consultants and supervision of construction. The unit regularly provides strategic advice to external agencies on development of Capital Works projects.
The Unit's most recent achievements include:
- National Carillon Refurbishment
- Treasury Building Courtyard Refurbishment
- Commonwealth Place forecourt
- Reconstruction of the Old Parliament House Gardens
- Reconciliation Place
- National Emergency Services Memorial
- Centenary of Women's Suffrage commemorative fountain
- National Police Memorial
Work currently underway includes:
- Bridging of Kings Ave over Parkes Way
- Canberra Central Parklands Masterplan
- RG Menzies Walk
- Reconciliation Place Stage 4 - Paving artwork
- Humanities and Science Campus Square
- Parliamantary Zone Signage
- Arts and Civic Campus masterplan
Exhibition and Outreach
The Exhibition and Outreach Unit is responsible for fostering awareness of Canberra as the National Capital. This involves developing promotional and awareness strategies and educating about the role and significance of the National Capital.
The Unit comprises the following sections:
- Venue Management
- Exhibition and Outreach