OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE AND CURTILAGE HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008–2013

9. Events and Tourism Permitted Action Schedule
Part C – Implementation Tools
Old Parliament House and Curtilage Heritage Management Plan 2008–2013
187
11 FILM CREW GUIDELINES
The following guidelines must be followed when filming at Old Parliament House. These guidelines can be provided
directly to the film crews.
Welcome to Old Parliament House
As the original focus of the Commonwealth Parliament and Government in Canberra, Old Parliament House (OPH)
is intimately associated with the political history of Australia from 1927 until the opening of the new Parliament
House in 1988. It was the first purpose built home for the Australian Parliament, the most prominent example
of the work of the Commonwealth’s first government architect, John Smith Murdoch, and is directly connected
with the development of Canberra as the national capital. Old Parliament House is on the National Heritage
List and the Commonwealth Heritage List under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999; the place is therefore protected by legislation with fines associated with non-compliance with the Act.
1. INTRODUCTION
These guidelines outline the important procedures we adhere to at Old Parliament House. It is of utmost
importance that all contractors who conduct filming in this historic site have access to this information.
Should there be any queries in relation to any information contained in this document, please do not hesitate
to contact the Heritage Manager on (02) 6270 8221 or the Property Manager on (02) 6270 8141.
Film crew must:
■■Attend an induction course on Heritage Awareness;
■■take steps to ensure that equipment is not erected or used in a way that is unsafe or poses a risk to the health,
safety and welfare of themselves, their staff, and Commonwealth employees and tenants; and
■■ensure that they comply with their duty of care under Territory OHS law and common law with respect to
public safety.
2. PROTECTION OF OPH’S HERITAGE FABRIC AND COLLECTIONS
The protection of the building’s heritage fabric and collections is of fundamental importance in the management
and execution of any work at OPH.
Heritage fabric is any part of the building that was constructed between 1927 and 1988. This includes:
■■all structural elements of the building;
■■fixed furnishings and fittings; and
■■finishes such as paint or varnish.
The Collections of OPH include:
■■furniture;
■■removable furnishings such as carpets, linoleum, blinds, curtains; and
■■photographs, displayed objects and works of art.
All collection items within a work area and environs will be removed or protected by OPH staff. Movement
of Heritage furniture and other significant objects in the OPH collection must be authorised and supervised
by the Heritage Officer in accordance with the OPH Housekeeping Permitted Actions Schedule.
The following guidelines must be followed when working in OPH.
Extreme care must be taken whilst moving equipment around the building, in particular:
■■plan and use designated access routes only, don’t rush
■■always lift, don’t drag equipment
■■report incidents to security and if appropriate locate closest Disaster Bin for emergency response
(see Appendix A)
■■report any damage to Heritage Manager
■■ensure trolleys have padded edges and rubber or pneumatic wheels
■■do not overload trolleys
■■do not place objects (including tools) on any furniture items