Temporary Closures: Current advice
Draft Heritage Management Plan - Parliament House Vista
Consultation type
Draft Heritage Management Plans
Closing date
10 August 2026
The Parliament House Vista has a range of heritage values related to its history, aesthetic characteristics, and social significance including:
- The history of politics and government in Australia and has strong links to the planning and development of Canberra as the National Capital.
- Aesthetic significance associated with the extensive open sweeping vista along the land axis set within the natural features of forested hills, patterns and textures of architectural massing accentuated by planned open spaces, water planes and tree plantings.
- Special association with Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. Also, strong association with John Smith Murdoch, Chief architect of the Commonwealth Government, and Thomas Charles Weston, Superintendent of Parks, Gardens and Afforestation in Canberra, notable planners such as Sir John Overall, Peter Harrison and Paul Reid.
Under section 341S(6)(b) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the National Capital Authority (NCA), welcomes comments on the draft Heritage Management Plans from members of the public, Indigenous People with rights and interests to the place, key stakeholders and community groups by 5.00pm, Monday 10 August 2026.
The draft Heritage Management Plans can be downloaded below
Submissions are to be made via email to heritage@nca.gov.au.
The NCA may be contacted for further information on 6271 2888.
Attachments
A Heritage Management Plan (HMP) is a tool used by owners and managers of heritage places to conserve and protect the heritage values of places. It is a written document identifying the detail of heritage values of a place and explaining how the heritage values are to be protected, used and managed into the future.
A HMP considers the opportunities and constraints at a place, identifies potential changes to a place, guides day to day management and outlines conservation policies to ensure the ongoing conservation of the heritage values of a place.
In accordance with s341X of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the Act) (EPBC Act), public consultation is undertaken to determine:
- whether the plan is consistent with the Commonwealth Heritage management principles; and
- the effectiveness of the plan in protecting and conserving the Commonwealth Heritage values of the place.
s341X of the EPBC Act requires an agency to review a HMP for any heritage place it owns or controls at least every 5 years.
The content of the HMP has been updated. The ‘description’ and ‘condition’ of each place and condition and integrity of heritage values, has been updated to reflect changes that may have occurred at each place since the preparation of the old plan. Constraints and opportunities relating to each place including function and use, interpretation and promotion and development have also been updated to reflect any changes to statutory requirements and to confirm existing management regimes.
Existing conservation policies have been reviewed and updated to delete redundant polices and provide consolidated policies, actions and implementation (timing and priorities) within a tabulated format for ease of use.
No. The absence of a current plan for a place does not impact the heritage status of a place.