Appendix G: Policy rationales and commentaries

Background paper for Policy 1: Conservation

Old Parliament House management must conserve the heritage values of the place in accordance with the EPBC Act, the ACT Planning and Land Management Act. Old Parliament House will underpin its management of the heritage values through: applying the Burra Charter; employing competent heritage managers and advisors; undertaking appropriate research and assessment prior to making decisions which may impact upon heritage values; and seeking funds to manage the place based upon a nil decline in the condition of heritage values.

Rationale for the policy

Research and analysis of the heritage values of Old Parliament House has been conducted through a detailed and ongoing process since 1985. The present Heritage Management Plan has been developed on the basis of the conservation approach established in the Conservation Management Plan 2000 (CMP 2000) (see Pearson et al 2000 and subsequent updates: 2003 Pearson et al and 2005 Godden Mackay Logan).

In response to previous plans and the use of the term Heritage Values in the EPBC Act, this Heritage Management Plan has developed the Zones (Section 6) which locate the identified heritage values spatially and establish objectives for their management. The Zones and Zone Objectives are key tools which assist in the application of the policy framework across the varied attributes, spaces and areas of Old Parliament House. This policy and the Zones also recognise that moveable cultural heritage is an integral attribute of the heritage values of the place.

This policy acknowledges that the values of Old Parliament House are embedded in sometimes overlapping layers of fabric and that decisions about their relative heritage values, and about the consequent management action required, will need to be made on a case by case basis. Decision-making must also be underpinned by expertise, ready access to relevant data and ongoing training.

Conservation priorities

Within this overall policy direction, there are some specific components of the place which require particular conservation. These include:

The existing external and internal fabric of the building which dates from the period 1927, illustrating the original design and intent for Parliament’s new home.
The overall form and extent of the building as it evolved to 1988, which demonstrates the manner in which the building grew and its final form when occupied by the Parliament.
Post-1927 alterations that demonstrate particularly well the character of Parliament or aspects of its changing nature and size:

    the altered House of Representatives and Senate Chambers, and press accommodation
    the Prime Minister’s Suite
    the Cabinet room
    representative examples of the accommodation for backbenchers, ministerial, staff, Hansard, press and the kitchen, as these changed over time
    the President of the Senate’s Suite
    the Members’ Bar
    the expansion of accommodation into the verandah and balcony space
    the overall form of the South East and South West Wings