John Gorton Building Safety Fencing
About
The Department of Finance (Finance) is the building
owner and property manager of the John Gorton
Building.
Essential work is required at the John Gorton Building
to install safety fencing and overhead protection
hoarding as an interim solution to address safety risks
from falling sandstone fragments on the exterior of
the building.
Who is responsible for managing the John
Gorton Building?
Finance is the agency responsible for managing the
John Gorton Building. The National Capital Authority
(NCA) is responsible for maintaining the grounds.
Does the John Gorton Building need repairs?
Yes. The exterior facade of the John Gorton Building is
in need of urgent repairs. The sandstone panels are
deteriorating and stone is falling off the panels causing
a safety risk.
What is the nature of the repair and
conservation works required?
The repair and conservation works include the
replacement of all jointing material on the building,
replacement and/or repairs to damaged sandstone
panels, repairs to downpipes and water headers, and
the replacement of lead weatherings and flashings.
The jointing material between the sandstone panels
contains asbestos. All jointing material will be removed
by licensed asbestos removalist contractors, and in
accordance with the relevant codes and standards.
Why is there fencing and overhead protection
hoarding on the John Gorton Building?
Until the sandstone panels are replaced, there is a
safety risk from falling stone. Finance has
implemented regular inspections and will put the safety
fence and hoarding in place to mitigate the safety risk
until repair works can be undertaken.
How long will the fencing and hoarding be in
place?
The fencing and hoarding will need to be in place until
repairs to all sides of the building have been
completed and the safety risk is eliminated. The
fencing and hoarding will be progressively removed as
facades are completed.
The repair and conservation works are required to be
undertaken utilising mostly hand tools, so as not to
damage the thin joint between the existing sandstone
panels. This will be a very slow process and will be
undertaken by specialist contractors.
When will the required repairs be undertaken?
The funding provided in the 2013-14 Budget will fund
the ground-to-top repairs to the North-West facing
facade, which is the most deteriorated. The remaining
three facades will be repaired when budget funding
can be made available for these works.
What will be the impact on building tenants and
the general public during the repair works?
Most of the repair and conservation works are required
to be undertaken using hand tools, which will minimise
the noise impact of the works. There will be some
minimal noise associated with erection of scaffolding
and some of the repairs.
The JGB’s entry and exit points, fire escapes and
loading docks will remain in operation during the repair
works. For safety reasons, the entries will be protected
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with secure scaffolding to maintain the safety of
building occupants.
Asbestos removal will be undertaken by licensed
contractors, and in accordance with the relevant codes
and standards so as to ensure the safety of the
contractors undertaking the works and also that of the
building occupants and visitors.
Large sections of the facade will be completely
scaffolded as the repair and conservation works are
undertaken. Information regarding the staging of the
works will be provided to building occupants and
neighbours to inform them of the works.
Does the John Gorton Building contain
asbestos? Is the building safe for tenants’ and
the public?
The jointing material between the sandstone panels
contains asbestos. All jointing material will be removed
as part of the repair works by licensed asbestos
removalist contractors, and in accordance with the
relevant codes and standards so as to ensure the
safety of the contractors undertaking the works and
also that of the building occupants and visitors.
For safety reasons, the entries will be protected with
secure scaffolding to maintain the safety of building
occupants.
What is the cost of the required repairs?
The estimated cost cannot be announced at this time
as it would compromise the competitive procurement
process to engage a works contractor to undertake
repairs.
Why are scarce resources being used for a
public service building?
Finance must ensure that the identified safety risks are
mitigated and eventually eliminated through the repairs
to the building.
What are the proposed measures the
Department will undertake to reduce the risk
involved with asbestos removal during the
renovation?
Further, the John Gorton Building is listed on the
Commonwealth Heritage List for its significant heritage
values and is an important element in the Parliament
House Vista and Parliamentary zone. Appropriate
management and maintenance of the building will
enable the ongoing use of this important heritage
asset.
Will the heritage values of the building be
protected?
The John Gorton Building is listed on the
Commonwealth Heritage List and its significant values
will be protected when the required repair works are
completed. In the interim, hoarding and safety fencing
are free standing and not abrasive so they will not
damage the building or increase the rate of sandstone
deterioration.
Has the Environment Minister been consulted
about the project?
Finance referred the proposal for fencing and hoarding
to the Minister for the Environment for approval under
the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 due to the visual impacts of the
fencing and hoarding on the heritage values of the
John Gorton Building and neighbouring
Commonwealth Heritage places.
What other approval or consultation processes
have been undertaken?
Finance will consult with the tenants and neighbours of
the John Gorton Building. Finance has also consulted
with the NCA regarding works approval as the building
is on National Land in the Parliamentary Zone.
Other useful links

Australian Heritage Places Inventory

Referral Detail – Department of the
Environment
All jointing material will be removed by licensed
asbestos removal contractors, in accordance with the
relevant codes and standards. Finance expects the
removalist contractor will be engaged in late December
2013, and at that time the exact procedures will be
confirmed. The measures will include appropriate
isolation, removal, storage and disposal of the
asbestos waste material.
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