OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE AND CURTILAGE HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008–2013

9. Maintenance Permitted Action Schedule
Part C – Implementation Tools
114 Old Parliament House and Curtilage Heritage Management Plan 2008–2013
9 TIMBER PANELLING AND JOINERY
Externally there are timber elements including window and door frames. Areas of interior walls in OPH
are finished with timber panelling, including within the Chambers and the Prime Minister’s and President
of the Senate suites. Many 1927 and pre 1988 windows and other timber elements are also in place
throughout the building. The maintenance of these surfaces and finishes involves the following processes.
Permitted Actions
Regular inspection of all external timber
elements to identify weathering, splitting of
paint / clear finish, damage or dirt build up.
Regular inspections of the timber
panelling and elements, to identify any
defects, marks, or wear and tear.
Basic cleaning (refer to Housekeeping Permitted
Action Schedule) tasks by OPH staff.
Should an item be damaged it is appropriate
to move the item (provided it is movable) to a
safe storage place to prevent further inadvertent
damage. For built in items a rope barrier may be
appropriate to avoid further access to the item.
Removal of stains, adhesives and the like
(removal of chewing gum may be undertaken
by OPH staff in line with the guidelines in
Housekeeping Permitted Action Schedule)
Repairs to scratched or chipped surfaces
undertaken by a trained conservator.
Repairs to broken elements (including
recreation of missing elements) undertaken
by a trained conservator or Heritage staff.
Not Permitted Actions
Removal of wall panels.
The use of gaffer tape of any other adhesive tape.
Notes / Guidelines
■■Prior to the removal or reapplication of any timber finish, an assessment by a trained conservation professional
should be made to establish:
■■The age, condition and type of existing finish
■■The appropriateness of the finish
■■Its likely lifespan given its condition
■■The benefits and disadvantages of removing the existing finish (eg removal of original fabric versus ongoing
protection of the timber substrate).