National Capital Authority Corporate Public Forum Information Pack - 26 November 2009
National Capital Authority Corporate Public Forum Information Pack - 26 November 2009
Public Forum
Information Pack
26 November 2009
www.nationalcapital.gov.au
26 November 2009
ii
The National Capital Authority intends to make a copy of the audio visual recording
available on its website and as DVDs to parties with a clear and legitimate interest in the
proceedings of the public forum.
Anyone wishing to view a copy will be able to do so by accessing the website or requesting
a copy of the DVD.
A written transcript will also be prepared. We expect the recording and transcript to be
available within 2 weeks.
26 November 2009
National Capital Authority
Public Forum
Information Pack
26 November 2009
Parliament House, Canberra
www.nationalcapital.gov.au
iii
Moderator
»» Dr Allan Hawke
NCA Panel
»» Chairman, Professor Don Aitkin AO
»» Chief Executive, Mr Gary Rake
»» The Hon Neil Andrew AO
»» Mr Peter Core
»» Mr Philip Wales, Executive Director Corporate
National Capital Authority Public Forum
Apologies
»» Ms Alison Walker-Kaye, Executive Director National Capital Estate
»» Mrs Kathryn Greiner, Member
Order of Proceedings
26 November 2009
All times are approximate and will depend on the level of participant interest
TIME ACTION
6.00 Dr Allan Hawke - Moderator:
»» Welcome
»» Format of the evening
»» Indicative date for the 2010 Public Forum
»» Introduction to the panel
Segment 1: Functions of the NCA
6.10 Chairman’s Overview
NCA presentation:
»» Statutory Functions
»» Budget & Staffing
»» Designated Areas (map)
»» National Land (map)
6.30 Open Forum
Questions and comments from the audience relating to the general functions of the NCA.
Topics already identified in early RSVPs include:
»» Consultation
iv
»» Strategic Planning in the ACT
»» Sustainability
Segment 2: Topic Specific Discussions
7.00 Topics already identified in early RSVPs include:
»» The New Commonwealth Building Project (ASIO Building)
»» Constitution Avenue
»» Heritage Management
»» Lake Burley Griffin
»» Landscape of the National Capital
»» Parking Management
National Capital Authority Public Forum
»» Planning
»» Carillon
»» Administration of Canberra Avenue
»» Monash Drive
»» World War I and II Memorials
8.00 If necessary - Short break for tea/coffee
8.10 If necessary - Resume Topic Specific Discussions
Chairman’s Message
26 November 2009
Welcome to the National Capital Authority’s
2009 public forum.
Like many of the people at this evening’s event, I am passionate about Canberra.
I have been lucky enough that in my time, I have been able to watch Canberra
develop from the small beginnings I saw when I first arrived here as a boy in 1943,
to become, in world terms, a truly remarkable capital city.
I hope that today’s forum will give the people of this community, and this
country, an opportunity to shape the decisions that will continue to build
Canberra as a National Capital of which all Australians can be proud.
Along with this information booklet, you will find a short evaluation form, please complete this form to
let us know your opinion of the event. Do be as honest and detailed as possible, so that we can ensure
that our future events are provided to the highest possible standard.
Alternatively you can complete the evaluation form on the National Capital Authority website at
www.nationalcapital.gov.au/publicforum
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National Capital Authority Public Forum
Contents
26 November 2009
National Capital Authority Public Forum.........................................iii
Moderator............................................................................................................................................iii
NCA Panel..............................................................................................................................................iii
Apologies...............................................................................................................................................iii
Order of Proceedings.................................................................................................... iv
Chairman’s Message .......................................................................................v
Have your Say!.....................................................................................................vi
About the NCA......................................................................................................2
Function: Plan....................................................................................................5
Constitution Avenue.......................................................................................6
Inter-Governmental Committee on parking
in the Parliamentary Zone, Russell and Barton...........................8
Function: Promote.........................................................................................10
1
National Capital Exhibition ......................................................................11
Online Resources............................................................................................................ 11
The National Carillon................................................................................................... 11
Function: Enhance & Maintain................................................................12
Tree Renewal....................................................................................................14
National Capital Authority Public Forum
Professor Don Aitkin AO Chairman
The Act establishes the NCA, prescribes its powers and functions and makes it subject to general
ministerial direction. The Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, administers the Act.
The functions of the Authority are set out in Section 6 of the Act:
26 November 2009
Organisational Chart, aligned with its statutory responsabilitites
Authority
Professor Don Aitkin AO (Chairman), Gary Rake (Chief Executive), Kathryn Greiner AO, The Hon Neil Andrew AO, Peter Core
3
NCA Budget for 2009–2010
Departmental $15.657m
Administered asset replacement $10.738m
Capital injection for new asset construction $2.5m
Plan $2.474m
Promote $1.571m
Maintain $11.612m
Total $28.895m
National Capital Authority Public Forum
gungahlin
responsible for works approvals
gungahlin
town centre
to sydney
ba
Belconnen
rt
on
hi
gh
w
ay
Belconnen
town centre
north
Canberra
ue
rne Aven
Northbou
civic
airport
4
South
Canberra
Woden
weston creek
woden town centre
highway
Queanbeyan
monaro
National Capital Authority Public Forum
Tuggeranong
tuggeranong
town centre
Designated Areas
N
Canberra
Airport
is no longer a Designated
Area: see section 112A of
the Airports Act 1996.
Function: Plan
26 November 2009
The Authority’s functions, as set out in section 6 of the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land
Management) Act 1988 (The Act), require the Authority to prepare and administer the National Capital
Plan. The Act requires the Authority to keep the National Capital Plan under constant review and to
propose amendments to it when necessary.
The National Capital Plan secures the Government’s continued interest in ensuring that ‘Canberra and
the Territory are planned and developed in accordance with their national significance’.
The objectives of the National Capital Plan are achieved through the general principles and policies
including the General Policy Plan – Metropolitan Canberra (Figure 1 of the Plan) and the General Policy
Plan – Australian Capital Territory (Figure 2 of the Plan).
The National Capital Plan’s general policies apply to the whole of the Territory and demonstrate a logical
and strategic approach to planning. The Plan acknowledges distribution of national functions throughout
the city and the interdependence of the urban and non-urban parts of the Territory. It provides for critical
services for both national and local purposes and safeguards the landscape character and quality of the
setting. The Plan also secures the future of the National Capital by safeguarding the status, future use,
amenity, infrastructure, quality and setting of the Seat of Government for all Australians.
The Plan sets out general planning policies and principles for overall development of the Territory. It
also sets out detailed conditions of planning, design and development for Designated Areas, which are
those areas that have the special characteristics of the National Capital. The Designated Areas include
the main avenues and approach routes, the inner hills that provide the immediate setting to Canberra, 5
the Central National Area embracing the Parliamentary Zone, Lake Burley Griffin and foreshores, the
Australian National University, City Hill precinct, Constitution Avenue and Russell, parts of Forrest
and Barton and the diplomatic estate. Map 1 shows the Designated Areas for which the Authority has
responsibility for works approvals.
Outside the urban areas (in the National Capital Open Space System, the Broadacre and Rural Areas)
the National Capital Plan sets out broad land use policies and specifies the range and nature of
permitted uses.
The Plan also sets out special requirements for development of certain areas (not being in the
Designated Areas) where considered desirable in the interests of the National Capital.
Constitution Avenue
26 November 2009
Future development of Constitution Avenue from City Hill to Russell will be guided by Appendix T8 of the
National Capital Plan ‘Constitution Avenue and Anzac Parade – Detailed Conditions of Planning, Design
and Development’
The provisions of Appendix T8 are intended to reinforce Constitution Avenue as the base of the National
Triangle and the Russell apex and to create a street grid, sympathetic to Griffin’s intended pattern of
streets and city blocks which integrate with the street and path network of Civic, Reid and Campbell and
links to Lake Burley Griffin, and Kings Park and Commonwealth Park.
The key development conditions within Appendix T8 are set out below:
»» The road hierarchy provides a legible and connective framework for moving throughout
the area:
»» Constitution, Commonwealth and Kings Avenues and Parkes Way being principal routes for
traffic and pedestrians.
»» Major connecting streets including Coranderrk Street, Blamey Crescent and Sellheim
Avenue being the main connections from Civic and adjoining neighbourhoods.
»» Minor streets have a local access role with priority for pedestrians and cyclists.
»» Lanes, shareways and arcades have service, access and pedestrian network role.
»» An attractive and direct network for pedestrians and cyclists caters for recreation and
26 November 2009
commuter needs, separated spatially and by visual character where appropriate to prevent
pedestrian conflicts.
»» An integrated public transport system is allowed, with Constitution, Kings and Commonwealth
Avenues and London Circuit as the principal public transport route.
»» A hierarchy of pedestrian routes is available, ranging from Constitution, Commonwealth and
Kings Avenues and London Circuit as urban boulevards, major streets (including Coranderrk
Street and Blamey Crescent and Sellheim Avenue), minor streets, laneways and arcades.
»» Safety and comfort for pedestrians is provided, with intersections designed to minimise slip
lanes for fast turning traffic.
»» On-street parking supports retail uses, pedestrian amenity and after hours activity.
»» Car parking for new development will be provided in accordance with ACT Government
standards.
Inter-Governmental
Committee on parking
in the Parliamentary Zone
8
The National Capital Authority will soon release a discussion paper seeking community and stakeholder
input to a review of parking management in the Parliamentary Zone, Barton and Russell.
On 14 July 2009, Minister for Home Affairs The Hon Brendan O’Connor announced that the
National Capital Authority (NCA) would chair an Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) on parking in
Russell, Barton and Parkes. The IGC will assist in resolving the long standing parking issues in the
Parliamentary Zone, Barton, Parkes, Russell and adjacent areas.
IGC will consider the assess the current arrangements in Russell, Barton and Parkes and identify
any problems with those current arrangements. The IGC will develop a range of options for managing
parking on national land that will consider the needs of all motorists in the zone and the impact on
adjacent areas.
National Capital Authority Public Forum
The work of the IGC has only recently commenced. No decisions have been made at this stage.
This IGC will engage in stakeholder and public consultation to assist in collecting a thorough range of
views on this matter. The first stage of that consultation is to seek input to help define and understand
problems with the current arrangements. A discussion paper is expected to be released in early 2010.
Once the IGC has draft recommendations on future options for the management of parking, there will
be a second round of consultation which will focus on identifying any residual issues associated with the
implementation of the options.
Ultimately, the IGC will make a recommendation to Government detailing the best way to manage
26 November 2009
parking in the future and would also include an implementation plan for the preferred strategy. The
implementation plan would cover matters as timing, infrastructure, financial implications and any
associated supporting arrangements.
Anyone who would like to register themselves as an interested party can do so by emailing
[email protected]. People registered will receive notice of IGC’s call for public comment.
Function: Promote
The Australian Government is committed to a National Capital that embodies Australia’s heritage,
aspirations, unity and values, and is worthy of pride for all Australians. The capital, as the seat of
10 government, centre of national administration, location for national institutions and reflection of national
life, should be such that all Australians can appreciate it.
The Authority is charged with developing an understanding and appreciation of the role of Canberra
as the National Capital. The responsibility complements and informs the Authority’s other roles of
planning, capital works and land management, and provides an excellent balance to the cultural
programs of its national cultural institutions.
The Authority takes a strategic approach to fostering an awareness of the capital through research; by
encouraging participation, appreciation and celebration in the National Capital; by providing information
and education about the Capital; and by promoting the attributes of Canberra that are of national
significance.
National Capital Authority Public Forum
National Capital Exhibition
26 November 2009
The National Capital Exhibition tells the story of Canberra, Australia’s national capital. It is located on
Regatta Point, Commonwealth Park, with spectacular views of the Parliamentary Triangle and the
Captain Cook Memorial Jet.
As part of the Celebration of Canberra’s centenary, the NCE is currently displaying two temporary
exhibitions - one which focuses on the selection of the site for the new national capital in 1908 and the
Charles Scrivener survey of the site in 1909.
Online Resources
A number of visitor resources are available for free download from www.nationalcapital.gov.au
The National Carillon was a gift from the British Government to the people of Australia to celebrate the
50th anniversary of the national capital.
The Australian Government has a direct interest in developing and maintaining the National Capital as
an asset in which all Australians have a major investment.
On behalf of the Australian Government, the Authority develops, manages and maintains assets valued
at more than $700 million at 30 June 2009.
Most assets are maintained under competitively tendered contracts and represent some of the capital’s
most nationally and culturally significant landscapes and attractions. These assets include:
Associated assets include the Captain Cook Memorial Jet, fountains, national monuments, public
artworks, large areas of landscape infrastructure (paths, lighting, signage) and civil infrastructure
12 (roads, bridges, and street lighting).
Lake Burley Griffin, the centrepiece of the Griffin Plan for Canberra, is a significant and highly valued
national asset.
The diversity of these assets reflects the breadth of the Australian Government’s interests in the
National Capital and provides the setting for ceremonies, activities and events that Australians expect
to occur in their capital. In managing these assets the Authority seeks to ensure they are created,
maintained and, if necessary, replaced to enhance and protect the unique qualities of the capital, and to
support activities and events that foster an awareness of Canberra as the National Capital.
Condition assessments are undertaken regularly to help manage and maintain the assets. These
assessments provide information for maintenance and/or replacement of key components or assets, as
needed.
National Capital Authority Public Forum
Most of the National Land the Authority manages is in the public domain and located in the Central
National Area of Canberra (see Map 2). The land use policies in the National Capital Plan for these areas
are primarily National Capital Use, Open Space or Diplomatic Missions.
Map 2: National Land
Dept. of Finance and Deregulation Aust. Nat. Botanic Gardens Prime Ministers Lodge
13
The NCA recognises Canberra’s trees as one of the city’s greatest assets. Indeed, one of the ‘Matters
of National Significance’ which guides our work is ‘Preservation and enhancement of the landscape
features which give the National Capital its character and setting’.
The urban forest is a deliberate and critical part of the city’s landscape setting. From the initial plantings
undertaken by Charles Weston (1,162,942 trees and shrubs planted between 1921 and 1924), our urban
forest has grown, decade by decade, suburb by suburb.
Unfortunately, trees of a like-type that are planted at the same time will generally start declining at
around the same time and many of our significant urban trees are coming towards the end of their lives.
Over the next 25 years, much of Canberra’s urban forest will need to be replaced. Without a deliberate
and cohesive strategy, we risk losing many of the best landscape qualities of the National Capital. The
Authority has formed a strong partnership with the ACT Government to renew the ageing urban forest.
Our over-riding approach is to maintain the health, vigour and safety of trees for as long as possible.
When it comes time to think about the replacement of trees on National Land managed by the NCA, we
have two main strategies.
The first approach is where we deal with individual trees, or small groups of trees within avenues or
parks. In these cases, we wait until the tree is either dead or shows signs of being a particular safety
risk before removing and replacing the trees one-by-one.
14 It is this first approach that received some recent media coverage. The NCA has identified 617 trees
on National Land which will need to be removed and replaced within the next 12-18 months. The NCA
has recently lodged a referral under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
National Capital Authority Public Forum
with the Department of Environment Water Heritage and the Arts seeking approval for the removal and
replacement of these trees. The Department is currently conducting a statutory consultation process
before it makes a decision. Public submissions can be made until 3 December 2009.The NCA will also
hold public consultation sessions, including a walk within the Parliamentary Zone to look at some of the
trees in question at 6pm on Tuesday 1 December 2009.
The second approach deals with problems of a larger and more significant nature. The best example is
the blue gum planting either side of Anzac Parade. These trees have very high heritage significance and
contribute to grand and formal nature of this special avenue. Large numbers of the existing trees are
showing signs of decline. Ignoring this problem is simply not an option.
The formal planting pattern – uniform species, height, habit – does not lend itself to individual tree
replacement. It is unlikely that new plantings would thrive in competition with mature trees and the
resultant uneven canopy height would fundamentally alter the landscape character of Anzac Parade.
A more strategic approach would seek to refine and re-establish the original row plantings and then
to develop a staged replacement plan. Such an approach could maintain the formal planting structure
but would inevitably require the removal of some healthy trees within individual rows to enable staged
block-replanting. The NCA will develop a strategy of this type and bring it forward for public consultation
during 2010-11.
Earlier this month, ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope endorsed an inquiry into the Government's tree
removal activities by the Environment and Sustainability Commissioner, Maxine Cooper. The Authority
welcomes this review and will continue to work closely with the ACT Government to ensure a co-
ordinated approach is taken to managing the issues involved in Canberra’s urban forest.
Notes:
26 November 2009
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National Capital Authority 2009
www.nationalcapital.gov.au
GPO Box 373, Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone +61 2 6271 2888 Facsimile +61 2 6273 4427
Email [email protected]