Senator Humphries statement regarding ASIO building

In July 2009 the North Canberra Community Council approached Senator for the ACT Gary Humphries for direct comment in response to the following article that was published on the NCCC website: ABC News: New ASIO HQ branded ‘barbed wire city’ Senator Humphries replied to the original NCCC email request indicating that he would be making further statements in the next few days. Unfortunately it appears that the task of sending the response to the NCCC was delegated to one of his staffers who failed to complete this task. This fact only recently came to light when the staffer recently left …

Canberra Times: NCA faces roasting over ASIO HQ

Tonight, 26 November 2009 the National Capital Authority will hold a public forum (at Parliament House) to provide an opportunity to begin a continuing dialogue about planning in Canberra and ensuring Canberra’s “place” as the national capital. The Canberra Times is reporting that despite the issuing of a formal order of proceedings, the ASIO building is likely to be the main topic of discussion at the meeting with many angry Campbell residents intenting to demand answers from the NCA about its overall involvement in the project. The Canberra Times article has been reproduced below:

Canberra Times: Secret Manoeuvres (The destruction of the Griffin Legacy)

On 15 August 2009, the Saturday Canberra Times ran a very interesting article written by John Thiselton which discussed how the new ASIO building is contrary to and will destroy the concept of the NCA’s Griffin Legacy. The Griffin Legacy is likely to be a very hot topic at the upcoming NCA public forum. The article is reproduced below:

Reminder – Public Forum: National Capital Authority (26 November 2009)

On 26 November 2009 the NCA will hold a public forum to provide opportunity to begin a continuing dialogue about planning in Canberra, and ensuring Canberra’s ‘place’ as the national capital. The event will take place at Parliament House commencing at 6pm. The length of the forum will vary according to the level of interest, but it is expected to finish between 9pm and 10pm. Tea and coffee will be available. The purpose of the forum is to provide a framework for discussion between the NCA and the community and stakeholders on: An introduction to the NCA and its role; …

Ongoing community concerns regarding new ASIO building development

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 …

Canberra Times: Still time to settle ASIO HQ worries

On Saturday 8th August 2009, The Canberra Times ran an editorial piece titled “Still time to settle ASIO HQ worries”. This piece discusses the politics behind the decision to rush approval of the ASIO HQ building in it’s current location and large scale. Is the Parliamentary Triangle a precinct set aside for Australia’s most important national institutions an appropriate place for the headquarters of a large security intelligence agency, bearing in mind that the imposing building will, after Parliament House, be the largest edifice in the district?

Walter Burley Griffin Society: submission in relation to the ASIO complex on Constitution Avenue

The North Canberra Community Council has obtained permission from the Walter Burley Griffin Society Inc, to republish their submission on the new ASIO building on Constitution Avenue (previously known as the “Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Commonwealth New Building Project.”)

ABC News: New ASIO HQ branded 'barbed wire city'

The ABC News is reporting that ACT Senator Gary Humphries backs Campbell residents’ concerns about the size and nature of the new ASIO headquarters being built on Constitution Avenue. ACT Senator Gary Humphries has backed residents’ concerns about the new ASIO headquarters being built in Canberra’s inner north. The $600 million building on Constitution Avenue near the suburb of Campbell will eventually house 1,800 employees. The project takes up a complete block and Campbell residents say it is too big for the area. Senator Humphries says he is not sure it is the right building for an area which planners …