OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE AND CURTILAGE HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008–2013

4. Management Framework
Part A – Context
Old Parliament House and Curtilage Heritage Management Plan 2008–2013
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4. Management Framework
Background
The management framework for Old Parliament
House and Curtilage is entirely exercised by the
Commonwealth with two parties administering the
area; these are the National Capital Authority and Old
Parliament House as an Executive Agency within the
Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio.
The place sits in a broader Commonwealth Heritage
Listed area known as the Parliament House Vista
of some 260 hectares administered by the National
Capital Authority–and is adjacent to other important
places, buildings and landscapes.
The place must be managed as a feature in the broader
landscape, as well as an individual element with its own
heritage values. The key relationships are determined
by its symbolic place in the landscape together with
the social and historic functions performed in the place
over time, that have a broader community appeal
across Australia and internationally.
The role of management is to continue to express
and maintain the heritage values of the place by
ameliorating risks and maintaining the attributes of the
place in its setting; and to interpret and communicate
the values across the broader Australian community so
the place continues to be alive and meaningful to the
existence of the nation.
The management of the place is also guided by the Old
Parliament House Governing Council. This council is
an advisory body which meets several times a year and
has overall responsibility for advising on the strategic
directions of Old Parliament House.
Australian legislation
Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999
The principal legislation governing the management of
Old Parliament House is the EPBC Act. Under this Act
Old Parliament House is responsible for ensuring the
protection of the National and Commonwealth heritage
listed values pursuant to the Act. The key objectives of
the Act relevant to Old Parliament House are to:
• provide for the protection of the environment,
especially those aspects of the environment that are
matters of national environmental significance
• provide for the protection and conservation of
heritage; and
• promote a cooperative approach to the protection
and management of the environment involving
governments, the community, landholders and
indigenous peoples.
The EPBC Act also identifies and defines the principle
of ecologically sustainable development that should
underpin management decision-making and defines
key heritage management principles.
In association with the EPBC Act, the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment
Regulations 2003 (No 1) inform the practice of
meeting the Act’s requirements. Relevant sections
are: Schedules 5A and 5B for National Heritage listed
places and Schedules 7A and 7B for Commonwealth
Heritage listed places (see Appendix A).
Other government legislation relating to finance, native
title, administration, security and health safety, disability
access and building regulations influence and direct
activities of management.
This plan sets in place a formal administrative process
for the assessment and approval of actions for the
day–to–day activities of Old Parliament House. Matters
that require approval under the EPBC Act are to be
referred to the Department of the Enviornment, Water,
Heritage and the Arts.
Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land
Management) Act 1988
The Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land
Management) Act 1988, establishes the National
Capital Authority (NCA), and requires the NCA to
prepare and administer a National Capital Plan. The
National Capital Plan defines Designated Areas and
sets out detailed policies for land use and detailed
conditions of planning, design and development within
them. Works approval must be obtained from the
National Capital Authority for all ‘works’ proposed within
a Designated Area.
Old Parliament House and Curtilage is part of the
Parliamentary Zone, a Designated Area as defined in
the National Capital Plan. Therefore all external ‘works’
require written approval from the National Capital
Authority.
Parliament Act 1974
Works proposed in the Parliamentary Zone also require
approval of both Houses of Federal Parliament. The
Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and
External Territories may inquire into development
proposals within the Parliamentary Zone and make
recommendations for their approval. Specified works
require approval from Parliament. In general, these
provisions apply to external works, and matters of minor
impact, including maintenance and repair which may
be reported to the Joint Standing Committee.
Codes and guidelines
The management of Old Parliament House is further
guided by a number of national and internationally
recognised conservation guidelines, standards and
codes of practice.