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
349
Background paper for Policy 6 Access, Security, Plant and Services
Old Parliament House management must facilitate reasonable public access to the place and the
movable heritage with full regard to the requirements to provide for public safety and security.
Rationale for the policy
As a public, Commonwealth institution Old Parliament House has the responsibility to provide
for appropriate public access and also to provide a safe and secure environment. This policy’s
main aim is to ensure that these requirements are met in a way which is consistent with
heritage conservation and the aims and objectives of the Heritage Management Plan.
This Policy also incorporates a framework for making decisions about the management of services and
plant at Old Parliament House, some of which embodies identified heritage values. The Conservation
Management Plan 2000 developed some useful guidelines and commentaries regarding the
management of services and plant of heritage value, which have been incorporate into this policy.
This policy is designed to protect all pre-1988 working or partly working services including the:
• division bells and master clock system
• remnants of the original air-conditioning system related to the Chambers
and Parliamentary Library, including grilles and ductwork
• hot water radiator heating system
• communications equipment relating to the operation of the Chambers and Prime Minister’s suite
• fire protection systems; and
• lifts.
The policy is also designed to protect all pre-1988 redundant or partly redundant services including the:
• Lamson tube system
• division bells and master clock system
• former main kitchen equipment and services
• remnants of the original airconditioning system related to the Chambers
and Parliamentary Library, including grilles and ductwork
• hot water radiator heating system
• Parliamentary broadcasting consoles and equipment
• other communications equipment relating to the operation of
the Chambers and Prime Minister’s suite; and
• fire protection systems.
Conclusion
Policy 6 establishes the requirements for access and security and ensures their consistency
with the conservation of the heritage values of Old Parliament House.