Federation Centenary Fountains Interim Works

In 2025 the NCA launched a project to address the state of Federation Centenary Fountains. They have not been functioning since 2014 and in their current form they pose a potential trip/fall risk to visitors in the area.

In the long term the project will see the fountains transformed to include a garden bed element while still retaining a water feature as central element. This will require significant consultation with the public and other relevant stakeholders and will be subject to government priorities and budget.

In the interim, the NCA has taken steps to make the area presentable and also address the potential risk to visitors in the area. To achieve this, the size and layout of the original fountains will be retained and the following has been constructed:

• the eastern and western fountains have been used to create 2 garden beds with native plants; and
• the central pool has been used to create a central ‘plaza’ so the space can be walked on and used to accommodate future events in the area. 

The Federation Centenary Fountains are located centrally within the Parliamentary Zone in Parkes Place, at the intersection of the axes between the John Gorton Building and the Treasury Building, and the Land Axis. A heritage impact assessment was completed for the site ahead of the works commencing. The interim works respond to the Commonwealth heritage values of the Parliament House Vista, including maintenance of the land and cross axes, symmetry and balance and a richness of experiences and precinct uses and narratives. 

Quick facts

• Works were completed in February 2026.
• Approximately 750t of new asphalt with 3,600m2 of red rock were used to create the hard stand and main paths in the Parkes Place Precinct.
• The colour and texture of the plaza and the paths compliment the look and feel of the red areas at Parliament House, Rond Terrace and Anzac Parade.
• Consultation on the look and feel of the side gardens was undertaken with the community in late 2025. You can view the full consultation report here