CANBERRA
The planned national capital; a potential National Heritage place
Canberra is currently being assessed by the Australian Heritage Council for inclusion on the
National Heritage List. Canberra was created as a result of Federation and reflects the
commitment of the then colonies to the democratic ideals and political form of the new
nation.
Canberra is the only Australian city and one of few in the world based on a design
competition and consistently developed within a tightly controlled planning system for nearly
a century. As a planned twentieth century city Canberra exhibits its city beautiful and garden
city origins in the layout of the central area and surviving garden city suburbs.
The historic heart of Canberra contained within the central amphitheatre of hills and the
environment created by the land and water axes, the lake, the tree-lined avenues, parklands
and the inner hills of the national capital open space system are an essential part of
Canberra’s aesthetic experience, set against the backdrop of the Brindabella, Tidbinbilla and
Bimberi ranges.
The post-war dispersed new towns represent an innovative response to population growth.
What is being assessed?
The assessment is taking a broad, overarching approach to Canberra as the national capital,
seat of Australian democracy and a showcase of twentieth century town planning concepts.
Existing National, Commonwealth and ACT heritage listings within Canberra will fit within this
umbrella listing.
It will complement the national heritage listing of the Australian Alps which includes Namadgi
National Park and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.
Potential natural, Indigenous and historic heritage values related to the city of Canberra and
the inner hills will be considered in the assessment.
Why might Canberra be included on the National Heritage List?
The Australian Heritage Council is assessing two nominations and believes that Canberra
might have national heritage value against several national heritage criteria. The Council is
considering the following values:

the historic significance of Canberra as the symbol and outcome of Federation, the site of
landmark decisions and movements for change and a place of ongoing national commemorations

Canberra as an exemplar of twentieth century town planning concepts from the new ideal city of
the Griffins’ outstanding prize-winning design in the 1912 international competition, through
successive phases of planning to the modern city expressed in the dispersed ‘new town’ pattern
encapsulated in the Y-Plan

rarity as the only Australian major city consistently subject to centralised planning controls for
nearly a century and in which successive trends in twentieth century international city planning
can be clearly read

the aesthetic appeal of the designed landscapes that showcase the national capital and the natural
hill and mountain settings of the city, which are highly valued by the Canberra community and
visitors for its beauty, garden city appeal and national symbolic content

creative and technical achievement in the fields of town planning, urban design and landscape
architecture

social significance associated with landmark Indigenous rights decisions or protest sites and places
of national commemoration

Canberra’s association with governors-general and prime ministers, politicians whose election
marked milestones in the evolution of Australian democracy, and the people who played a
significant role in the planning and development of Canberra.
What is the proposed National Heritage ‘place’?
The proposed national heritage listing might include:

the central historic area of Canberra including the Parliamentary Triangle, the land and water axes
and Lake Burley Griffin and surrounding parklands

the surviving street pattern set out in the 1918 Griffin Plan and within the early garden suburbs of
the 1925 Gazetted Plan

the planning concept of the Y-Plan ‘new towns’ connected by arterial roads and the location of the
town centres. (No specific town centre layout, buildings or road alignments are included, nor any
residential land at or near town centres)

the undeveloped inner hills of the national capital open space system.
The proposed listing only includes places within public ownership.
The backdrop of mountain ranges that form part of Canberra’s aesthetic setting are not
included in the proposed boundary but key views and vistas from the central area towards the
ranges will be recognised.
What is the proposed listing boundary?
The proposed boundary of Canberra is shown on a map that can be downloaded from the
Council’s website at www.environment.gov.au/ heritage/ahc/national-assessments/canberra
The whole area coloured in light green with a pink border is included in the place proposed for
national heritage listing.
A similar pink boundary runs along either side of the nature strip along the marked roads of
the early garden suburbs, enclosing the verges and tree plantings as well as the road
alignments in the proposed place. No private land or buildings are included within the
boundary.
The town centre symbols represent the locations of the town centres as a planning concept
but do not include a particular street layout or collection of buildings. Note that the arterial
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roads connecting the town centres are not mapped because the proposed place boundary
does not include particular road alignments.
Will my house or business be affected?
No, your home or business will not be affected by the proposed listing. Draft national heritage
values only reside with land/property in public ownership. Residential and commercial
properties are excluded from the proposed national heritage values.
How can I be involved?
Consultations with owners, occupiers, land managers and Indigenous people with rights or
interests have commenced in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999. An information paper will be available on the Australian Heritage
Council’s website at www.environment.gov.au/ heritage/ahc/national-assessments/canberra
to provide more detailed information.
What is the next step?
Following consultation, the Council will give its final assessment report, including proposed
national heritage values, to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population
and Communities. The minister will decide whether to include the place on the National
Heritage List.
When will the Council complete its assessment?
The Council is aiming to complete its assessment in time for a possible inclusion in the
National Heritage List to coincide with the centenary of Canberra in early 2013.
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