If you are concerned about the construction of the ASIO building adjacent to Campbell on Parkes Way and Constitution Avenue, whether because of its size, because of the inappropriateness a security agency in such a symbolic location, or because of the almost total lack of public consultation, then please look at some of the suggestions below as to what you can do, to either turn the tide or to help guarantee better consultation in future.
THINGS YOU CAN DO:
Meet & lobby Bob McMullan MP for Fraser:
This coming Wednesday 30th September 2009: 6.30-8pm at Ainslie Football Club, 52 Wakefield Avenue, Ainslie, and voice your concerns. He has extended an invitation to all Fraser residents.
Ring his office on 6247 4396 to register your interest by September 28th 2009.
Write letters to all of the following:
- A sample letter can be found at the bottom of this article.
1. The Minister for Home affairs Brendan O’Connor.
The Hon. Brendan O’Connor MP
Minister for Home Affairs
Po Box 6220
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2601
Email: brendan.o’connor.mp@aph.gov.au
2. All members of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories, starting with the Chair, Senator Kate Lundy.
See website for individuals’ details:
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/ncet/members.htm
Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories
Department of House of Representatives
PO Box 6021
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Suggested plan for a letter expressing your concern regarding the construction for the ASIO building:
Request:
- Possible re-siting of the ASIO building or reduction in its size, especially height;
- Improvement in public consultation and transparency of the planning processes for buildings in Canberra within areas of Australian Government responsibility.
Key points:
- The building is massive and will have a hugely negative impact on the landscape and on heritage views. It is contextually incongruous with the Griffin plan’s ideal of balance within its parkland environment.
- The building runs counter to Griffin Legacy Amendment 60 which recommends, among other things, a “vibrant, mixed-use boulevard” for Constitution Avenue, not a giant precinct housing a single security agency, which by its nature will be impenetrable. The indicative drawings show at least seven smaller buildings for this site.
- The ten-day public consultation period was woefully inadequate, allowing the project to develop ‘under the radar’ with minimal scope for the expression of the public’s opinion.
- There will be a significant increase in traffic in adjoining suburbs. The building will house a proposed 1800 workers. Director of Roads ACT Tony Gill admitted at the September NCCC meeting that no study of the impact of traffic on nearby suburbs has been undertaken.
- Given the National Capital Authority has as some of its goals “the retention and enhancement of Canberra’s unique landscape character” and “to restore… the spirit and intent of the Griffin Legacy”, why has it failed to stand up to proponents of the ASIO building? Ask for an inquiry into the role and efficacy of the NCA
Conclusion: Romaldo Giurgola, the architect for Parliament House, has recently stated it is not too late to stop the building. At the very least, take it down a couple of storeys as suggested by Senator Humphries. Building plans can be amended even during construction, as was the case with the National Museum.
3. Roads ACT
Mr. Tony Gill
Director, Roads ACT
Department of Territory and Municipal Services, ACT
Locked Bag 2000, Civic Square ACT 2608
Phone: 02 6207 6588
Fax: 02 6207 6162
Email: tony.gill@act.gov.au
4. The National Capital Authority
Professor Don Aitkin AO
Chairman
National Capital Authority
GPO Box 373
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Email: natcap@natcap.gov.au
Website:
http://www.nationalcapital.gov.au/
Offer your help by contacting the people in the list below:
Contacts
- Phone: 6161 8214 / 0401 037 574
- Email: andrewlschuller@hotmail.com
Ros Gordon
- Phone: 6247 1252
- Email: ros_col@bigpond.net.au
Catherine Doherty
- Phone: 6247 8519
- Email: catherine.doherty@netspeed.com.au
Some useful Links:
- Submission by the Walter Burley Griffin Society Australia to the above committee regarding amendments to the Griffin Legacy: http://wopared.aph.gov.au/house/committee/ncet/Griffin/subs/sub1.pdf
- National Capital Plan – see Amendment 60 in particular: http://www.nationalcapital.gov.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=372&Itemid=260
Sample Letter :
- As submitted by Andrew Schuller to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories regarding the ASIO building
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