Asset management

Kings Park, Parkes.
Photographed by Dom Northcott.

The National Capital Authority (NCA) asset management strategy recognises the significance of national assets and the interrelationships between them. The strategy links with the Authority's corporate plan and operational activities.

The asset management strategy:

  • provides the framework for the Authority's decision making about the creation of new assets and the care of existing assets
  • guides decision making about the level and standard of care required for the respective assets

The NCA undertakes asset management of some of the National Capital's most culturally significant landscapes and national attractions on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia, including:

The NCA aims to ensure that maintenance and repair of these national assets are consistent with their design intent and support the objectives of the National Capital Plan.

The NCA seeks to ensure that design and construction respond to the practical needs of the National Capital, and that full life-cycle costs are considered in the development stages. Most assets are maintained under competitively tendered contracts.

If you wish report and damage or faults with NCA assets, please email estate.enquiries@nca.gov.au or use our managing contractor service request portal. 

Memorials, fountains and artworks

Management of national memorials, fountains and artworks involves the care of key features within landscape areas of the National Capital.

The NCA manages and maintains more than 100 structures throughout the city, including:

The NCA has set maintenance standards and benchmarks for the management of these significant assets, taking into account their intrinsic artistic and heritage values.

National Capital Estate Management

The NCA is the custodian of some of the nation's most significant cultural landscapes, including the Old Parliament House Gardens, the National Rose Garden, Kings and Commonwealth Parks, the native grasslands of Yarramundi and the remnant woodland on Stirling Ridge. The maintenance of these areas is contracted to several private sector firms.

Some of these areas are heavily utilised for events and ceremonies.

Buildings and civil infrastructure maintenance

NCA buildings on National Land include the Regatta Point building, Commonwealth Place, the National Carillon and Blundells Cottage, as well as leased premises such Commonwealth Place East, Waters Edge Restaurant, the Medical Superintendent’s House and Limestone House buildings at Acton Peninsula and the Commonwealth Park Depot. Minor structures include public toilets, bus shelters and barbecues.

Civil infrastructure assets are maintained through a managing contractor arrangement – BGIS. These assets include roads, car parks, bridges, storm water systems, street lighting, pumping systems, and the Captain Cook Memorial. In addition, signs, park features and play equipment are also managed and maintained.

Lake Burley Griffin

Lake Burley Griffin (the Lake) is the centrepiece to the setting of the National Capital. Administration of the Lake is governed by the Australian Capital Territory National Land (Lakes) Ordinance 2022.

The NCA protects the quality of the water and promotes greater use of the Lake, within heritage management guidelines.

Lake Burley Griffin and Scrivener Dam are managed and maintained through service delivery contracts competitively tendered.

A licensing and charging scheme for the abstraction of water for irrigation was introduced on 1 July 2001. This is in accord with the reforms to water management in Australia under the 1994 Council of Australian Governments agreement.

The fish management program for the lake comprises biennial monitoring of the fish population and stocking of fish. The native fish population in the Lake is enhanced through the regular seeding of fingerlings. Species such as Murray Cod and Golden Perch are released on an alternate basis to maintain a mixed recreational fishery.

Aquatic plants, though serving an important role in the Lake's ecology, can interfere with recreational activities. The NCA monitors and controls excessive plant growth in the Lake.

As part of the Lake's environmental management, water is routinely tested for physical, chemical and biological characteristics and analysed for compliance with the National Water Quality Guidelines (Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality 2000). This testing includes regular sampling from the centre of the Lake at designated points, weekly visual inspections for algae throughout the year and weekly microbiological (bacteria) and algal sampling and analysis from on recreational sites during the Summer Recreational Season (mid October to mid April). The weekly Lake Burley Griffin Water Quality updates can be found through using the Swim Guide free app or website.

The NCA also administers powerboats, moorings, major events and various other matters associated with use of the Lake. More information about boating on Lake Burley Griffin can be found here.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region.

We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.

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