1. The Central National Area

The Central National Area shown in Figure 4 is specified as a Designated Area under the Provisions of Section 10.(1) of the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988.

Development in the Central National Area will be guided by The Griffin Legacy.

The Central National Area includes the Parliamentary Zone and its setting; Lake Burley Griffin and Foreshores; the Australian National University; the Australian Defence Force Academy; Duntroon; Campbell Park and Canberra Airport/RAAF Base Fairbairn. Also included are diplomatic lands at Yarralumla, O’Malley, West Deakin and Red Hill.

1.1 The Parliamentary Zone and its Setting

The Parliamentary Zone and its setting are defined in Figure 4 [The Central National Area – Key Map (City)] as areas 5–8 and 10–12.

1.1.1 Background

The National Capital and Seat of Government is the legislative, judicial, administrative, executive, ceremonial and symbolic centre of the nation.

The role of Canberra as the National Capital warrants high environmental and aesthetic standards for development generally. It also requires that national functions are located where they may operate effectively and efficiently.

Areas that clearly exhibit the special characteristics of the National Capital primarily have the Parliamentary Zone and its setting as their focus. They embrace the main National Capital uses and national institutions, and other centrally located areas of National Land, the diplomatic areas, and nearby lands where planning, design and development are critical.

The core of those areas is the Parliamentary Zone (area 5) – the physical manifestation of Australian democratic government and the home of the nation’s most important cultural and judicial institutions and symbols.

The area designated ensures that the essential relationships between Parliament and its setting are planned, developed and conserved in an integrated way, with the Commonwealth providing the requisite leadership of design and ensuring that construction and maintenance operations are carried out to the highest standards.

Urban design is concerned with the arrangement of buildings and spaces to achieve harmony, interest, attractiveness, vitality and legibility. Specific urban design policies are concerned with ensuring that the quality of the built environment results in a composition which is consistent in scale and image.

The subject area is the centre for all the nationally significant activities of Parliament, the Judiciary and government and is the focal point of visitor interest in the National Capital.

A Master Plan for the Parliamentary Zone (refer to Appendix T6) guides all future development in the Zone. The Statement of Principles set out in the Master Plan is as follows:

The Parliamentary Zone will be given meaning as “the place of the people”, accessible to all Australians so that they can more fully understand and appreciate the collective experience and rich diversity of this country.

To do this, the place of the people must reflect:

• The political and cultural role of Australia’s Capital;
• Federation and Australian democracy;
• The achievements of individual Australians in all areas of endeavour;
• The diversity of Australia, its peoples, natural environments, cultures and heritage; and
• The unique qualities of Australian creativity and craftsmanship.

The place of the people must have:

• A sense of scale, dignity and openness;
• A cohesive and comprehensible layout;
• A large forum for public ceremony and debate;
• Intimate, enjoyable spaces for individuals and groups;
• A dynamic program of national, state and regional events; and
• Public facilities that are accessible and affordable.

Within the Parliamentary Zone, the Authority’s statutory responsibility for the approval of works in Designated Areas does not affect section 5 of the Parliament Act 1974 which provides at subsection (1) that no building or other work is to be erected on land within the Parliamentary Zone unless:

• if the land is within the precincts as defined by subsection 3(1) of the Parliamentary Precincts Act 1988 – 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 the Parliament and the proposal has been approved by resolution of each House.

The combined effect of the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988, the Parliament Act 1974 and the Parliamentary Precincts Act 1988, is that within the Parliamentary Zone (which includes the Parliamentary Precincts), Works as defined by the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 require approval by NCPA in addition to any Parliamentary approvals necessary under the other Acts.

Within the Parliamentary Precincts (generally within Capital Circle) the Presiding Officers (the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives) have responsibility for control and management. In the exercise of this responsibility, any actions falling within the definition of Works set out in the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 continue to require approval by NCPA.

Of particular importance in the near future will be the resolution of future development in and around City Hill Precinct. This has been addressed in The Griffin Legacy which proposes City Centre – City Hill as the symbolic heart of City.

The Plan includes City Hill and the area inside London Circuit as part of the Designated Area. City Hill is one of the three corners of the National Triangle formed by Commonwealth, Kings and Constitution Avenues, and as such the character of its future development and that of the area adjoining it is crucial to the long-term character of the National Capital. There is a major opportunity for the Territory Government to achieve development within London Circuit which is outstanding in national and international terms, and this should clearly be the objective.

Linking City Hill with Russell is Constitution Avenue, and over the next decade the Plan will provide for development beside the Avenue which establishes it as a formal urban avenue. Since design issues will be crucial in setting the character of the Avenue, both sides of Constitution Avenue are included in the Designated Areas, except in the immediate Civic area.

Land fronting the approach routes and avenues which were an important symbolic component of Griffin’s plan is also considered to have special National Capital interest. Special requirements have been established for these areas.

1.1.2 Principles for the Parliamentary Zone and its Setting

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 Nation and its Capital.

Note: Additional Principles specific to the Parliamentary Zone are set out in the Master Plan for the Parliamentary Zone at Appendix T6.

1. Opportunities should be taken progressively 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

a. Major national functions and activities that are closely connected with workings of 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.

b. The preferred uses in 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.

c. 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.

d. They should be planned and designed to establish a distinct character and setting for each area reflecting their national and international significance.
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.

Note: Additional Principles specific to the Parliamentary Zone are set out in the Master Plan for the Parliamentary Zone at Appendix T6.

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