Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021C01223:front:0:p56
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021C01223
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 167429–170411

include the potential for some adaptation to meet changing community standards and expectations, and regulations including disabled access, fire safety and Workplace Health and Safety requirements.  This would be through sympathetic adaptation of secondary spaces within the main building or alternatively extensions or alterations to the exterior of the building, largely concealed from view from the principal Martin Place elevation.

Under the EPBC Act., the RBA is obliged to minimise adverse impacts on the National Heritage values of a National Heritage place or the Commonwealth Heritage values of a Commonwealth Heritage place.  The Reserve Bank of Australia Head office building is located near Hyde Park Barracks, which is included on both the World Heritage List and the National Heritage List.  The subject site is also located near the 'Governors' Domain and Civic Precinct' which has been nominated for inclusion on the National Heritage List.

6.7.2            Owners Requirements and management of the Place
Under Section 74 of the Reserve Bank Act 1959, the Reserve Bank of Australia is obliged to maintain its Head Office in Sydney in the State of New South Wales. The site at 65 Martin Place was selected, in part, for its proximity to other banking and financial institutions located in or near Martin Place in the 1950s, a tradition that continues today.

The Head Office building has undergone a series of refurbishments since it was constructed in the early 1960s, including an addition to the southern side of the building in the 1970s.  Previous works have generally concentrated on staff accommodation.  The engineering systems within the RBA building were identified by consultants as having reached or are nearing the end of their expected service life, although some services have been replaced on an ad hoc basis.

The Workplace Department envisage minor changes to non-significant fabric to enable office accommodation and staff facilities to be upgraded and adapted periodically without materially affecting the fabric that demonstrates Commonwealth heritage values, including exterior cladding, integral artworks, surviving original finishes and detailing to public and circulation spaces including the original ground floor entrance lobby and Banking Chamber.  The building was constructed between 1962 and 1964, and extended in the late 1970s.  Subsequent changes to the Building Code of Australia have resulted in a number of non-compliances, particularly in relation to current allowable glass wind-loadings and energy efficiency requirements.

Major refurbishment works carried out in 2001-2003 were referred to the Minister under the EPBC Act and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works[43]. held in November 2000[44] .  Issues raised at that time by the Council of the City of Sydney, the National Trust of Australia (NSW) and other stakeholders were addressed prior to the major refurbishment and upgrading works, including the