Block 3 Section 39 Campbell - Australian War Memorial Early Works

Update 5 July 2021

Statement of Reasons – Australian War Memorial Early Works approval

Owing to public interest in the Australian War Memorial redevelopment, the NCA has placed the Statement of Reasons for its decision to approve Early Works associated with the Australian War Memorial Redevelopment – Block 3 Section 39 Campbell on its website.

Update 7 June 2021

Statement re the Australian War Memorial Early Works Consultation Report

The National Capital Authority’s (NCA) consultation process was carried out in accordance with the National Capital Plan and ‘Commitment to Community Engagement’.

The early works application for the Australian War Memorial (AWM) has been reviewed and assessed against the National Capital Plan taking into consideration the proposed excavation works, services relocation, temporary hoardings, tree removals and the demolition of Anzac Hall.  

Following the close of public consultation on 30 April 2021, the NCA requested further information on the proposed tree removal and replacement planting from the AWM. The NCA received an Early Works Landscape Plan that indicated there are currently 595 existing trees within the AWM Precinct. A total of 455 trees are to be retained, while 140 trees are to be removed as part of the project. The NCA will require that the AWM plant a minimum of an additional 250 native trees as a condition of approval for these works. New trees will be required to be specified as advanced stock. The full landscape plan describing the species and location will form part of the Public Realm works application to be submitted to the NCA in 2022.

With this change noted, the NCA has concluded the proposal is not inconsistent with the National Capital Plan and the works have been approved.

Terry Weber

Chair, National Capital Authority

Please see the NCA’s Consultation Report on Block 3 Section 39 Campbell for the Australian War Memorial Early Works.

Update 13 May 2021

Since the close of the community consultation period on the early works package, many people have given permission for the NCA to publicly release their submission on our website. If you would like us to publish your submission please contact WAconsultation@nca.gov.au

Public Submissions

Update 5 May 2021

Public consultation on the Australian War Memorial Early Works package closed on 30 April 2021. The National Capital Authority received 599 submissions. The NCA is reviewing each submission to identify key issues and suggestions to determine if modifications to the proposal are required. A consultation report addressing these matters will be released to the public. The NCA does not anticipate this process will be finalised before the end of June.

The NCA is currently seeking agreement from people who made submissions to the public consultation process to have their submissions released publicly and placed on the NCA website.  

Consultation

On 12 March 2021, the National Capital Authority (NCA) received a works approval application from Knight Frank Town Planning for early works associated with a redevelopment project at the Australian War Memorial (AWM). The early works that form part of the application include demolition, excavation, services relocation, temporary hoarding and tree removal.

Construction of new exhibition spaces, research and arrival facilities will form part of a future works approval application. Information regarding the AWM redevelopment project can be found here. 

The Australian War Memorial and Anzac Parade are listed places on the National Heritage List. In November 2019 the AWM referred the proposal to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) for its assessment under the provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) (EPBC Act). On 10 December 2020, the Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley MP, approved the proposal, with conditions. Further information can be found here. 

The need, scope, cost, purpose and value for money of proposed works are matters that have been addressed by the Australian Parliament’s Public Works Committee and considered by elected representatives from across Australia. Further information can be found here.

On 22 February 2021, the Committee recommended that the House of Representatives resolve that it is expedient to carry out the Australian War Memorial Development Project. The need for the expansion or the cost of the development are not matters for the NCA to reconsider.  

The NCA has previously approved a number of earlier projects and preparatory works as part of the AWM redevelopment. These include new car parking, asbestos removal and temporary structures currently used for display, office purposes or site compounds.

The NCA will assess this works approval application and determine the consistency of the works against the National Capital Plan (the Plan). The Plan focuses on planning matters and quality of design. These policies ensure that Canberra is a city worthy of its status as the national capital.

The Plan requires that the heritage assessment of all proposals subject to NCA planning approval are assessed in accordance with the provisions the EPBC Act. The approval by Minister Ley satisfies the heritage conditions of the Plan and will guide the NCA’s assessment of this matter.

The application before the NCA includes the demolition of Anzac Hall. Anzac Hall was designed by Denton Corker Marshall Pty Ltd - a Melbourne based architectural practice. On 21 December 2000, amendments to the Copyright Act 1968 came into effect. These amendments introduced an obligation on the AWM, as a building owner, to consult with the original design architects for Anzac Hall. The NCA will seek assurance from the AWM that it has discharged its moral rights obligations under the Copyright Act 1968 as part of this assessment.

The NCA will consider all relevant submissions as part of the assessment of the application. Following the conclusion of the assessment, a Consultation Report will be made available on the NCA website. Please refer to this page for future updates.

The plans and supporting documentation for this WA application can be viewed below.

The NCA welcomes feedback on this application by close of business, Friday 30 April 2021.

Submissions can be made by:

• Email to WAconsultation@nca.gov.au
• Writing to GPO Box 373, Canberra ACT 2601

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WA Block 3 Section 39 Campbell_Australian War Memorial