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Australian Heritage Council

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Overview

In 2013 Australians will celebrate the centenary of Canberra, our nation's capital - the city created by federation that tells the story of our country's spirit, achievements and aspirations. Along the journey towards this significant milestone there is an opportunity to recognise the national heritage of Canberra and in particular the value of the city as an exemplar of twentieth century town planning and its symbolic importance as the capital of Australia.

Canberra, the Planned National Capital

Canberra, the planned national capital is being assessed by the Australian Heritage Council (the Council) for inclusion in the National Heritage list. Potential Indigenous, natural and historic heritage values have been considered as part of the assessment. In assessing Canberra, the Council is taking a broad approach examining the national capital as the seat of Australian democracy and as a planned 20th century city built on a greenfield site.

The Council believes that Canberra might have National Heritage values against several National Heritage criteria.

Draft boundary map

• Canberra the Planned National Capital - draft National Heritage Listing boundary map (PDF - 13.4 MB)

Existing National, Commonwealth and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) heritage listings within Canberra will not be affected by any potential National Heritage listing of Canberra. The existing heritage listings within or near to the draft boundary of Canberra include:

National Heritage List

• Australian War Memorial and the Memorial Parade
• High Court - National Gallery Precinct
• Old Parliament House and Curtilage
• Australian Academy of Science
• Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves

Any proposed Canberra National Heritage listing would complement the existing National Heritage listing of the Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves, which includes Namadgi National Park and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. This listed area is outside the draft boundary.

Commonwealth Heritage List

There are currently 81 Commonwealth-controlled places in the ACT that are included on the Commonwealth Heritage List. Places within the draft boundary can be identified by referring to individual place location and/or boundary plans. See Commonwealth Heritage listings for the ACT below.

• Australian Heritage Database - Commonwealth Heritage listing for the ACT

ACT Heritage Register

The ACT Heritage Council assesses places of Territory heritage significance for inclusion on the ACT Heritage Register. Places within the draft boundary can be identified by searching this Register.

• ACT Heritage Register 

Further information

Information paper

• Celebrating Canberra: A nation's cultural and democratic landscape (June 2012) (PDF - 2.7 MB) | (Word - 63 KB)

Fact sheets

• Canberra, The planned national capital; a potential National Heritage place (June 2012) (PDF - 417 KB) | (Word - 35 KB)
• Canberra National Heritage Assessment (December 2011) (PDF - 376 KB) | (Word - 304 KB)

Notices of assessment

• Canberra - Central National Area and Inner Hills nomination (Place ID: 106100) 
• Canberra - Central National Area and Inner Hills nomination map (PDF - 2.1 MB)
• Canberra and Surrounding Areas nomination (Place ID: 106074) 
• Canberra and Surrounding Areas nomination map (PDF - 1.7 MB)
• More information on national heritage assessments

Media releases

• Canberra National Heritage Assessment - 1 June 2012
• Ground breaking meeting for Canberra National Heritage Assessment - 8 December 2011

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