OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE AND CURTILAGE HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008–2013

I. Policy Rationales/Commentaries
Part D – Appendices
Old Parliament House and Curtilage Heritage Management Plan 2008–2013
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I. Policy rationales/commentaries
Background paper for Policy 1 Conservation
Old Parliament House management must conserve the heritage values of the place in accordance with the EPBC
Act, the ACT Planning and Land Management Act. Old Parliament House will underpin its management of the
heritage values through: applying the Burra Charter; employing competent heritage managers and advisors;
undertaking appropriate research and assessment prior to making decisions which may impact upon heritage
values; and seeking funds to manage the place based upon a nil decline in the condition of heritage values.
Rationale for the policy
Research and analysis of the heritage values of Old Parliament House has been conducted through a detailed and
ongoing process since 1985. The present Heritage Management Plan has been developed on the basis of the
conservation approach established in the Conservation Management Plan 2000 (Pearson et al 2000 and
subsequent updates: 2003 Pearson et al and 2005 Godden Mackay Logan).
In response to previous plans and the use of the term Heritage Values in the EPBC Act, this Heritage Management
Plan has developed the Zones (Section 6) which locate the identified heritage values spatially and establish
objectives for their management. The Zones and Zone Objectives are key tools which assist in the application of
the policy framework across the varied attributes, spaces and areas of Old Parliament House. This policy and the
Zones also recognise that moveable cultural heritage is an integral attribute of the heritage values of the place.
This policy acknowledges that the values of Old Parliament House are embedded in sometimes overlapping layers
of fabric and that decisions will need to be made on a case by case basis about their relative heritage values and
the consequent required management action. Decision making must also be underpinned by expertise, ready
access to relevant data and ongoing training.
Commentary for conserving the layered history of Old Parliament House
Within this overall policy direction, there are some specific components of the place which require particular
conservation. These include:
• The existing external and internal fabric of the building which dates from the period
1927, illustrating the original design and intent for Parliament’s new home.
• The overall form and extent of the building as it evolved to 1988, which demonstrates the
manner in which the building grew and its final form when occupied by the Parliament.
• Post-1927 alterations that demonstrate particularly well the character
of Parliament or aspects of its changing nature and size:
– the altered House of Representatives and Senate Chambers, and press accommodation
– the Prime Minister’s suite
– the Cabinet room
– representative examples of backbencher’s, ministerial, staff, Hansard,
press and kitchen accommodation, as they changed over time
– the President of the Senate’s suite
– the Members Bar
– the expansion of accommodation into the verandah and balcony spaces
– the overall form of the southeast and southwest wings
– the overall form of the 1972/74 northeast and northwest additions
– the main northern entrance and portico; and
– the Senate committee rooms on the lower floor, north wing.