Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00620:body:0:p55
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00620
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 149392–152387

utility are not typically considered to be of social value.  In general terms, they do not relate to or express a ritual or ceremonial function that stimulates a strong sense of attachment.  In the event that evidence indicating that West Block may be of social value to a particular community or cultural group were to be revealed this approach may be reviewed.
(h)     the place has significant heritage value because of the place's special association with the life or works of a person, or group of persons, of importance in Australia's natural or cultural history
West Block is significant for its association with Walter Burley Griffin, J S Murdoch and Charles Weston.  These figures made significant contributions to the planning, design and setting for the building.
Griffin's plan for Canberra established the city's core structure and zoning.  His plans for the Parliament House group were implemented to the extent that he envisaged the Parliamentary Triangle as the seat of government, and for buildings within the triangle to be sited symmetrically on either side of the Land Axis.
J S Murdoch, Chief Architect of the Commonwealth Department of Works and Railways, was responsible for the three buildings within the Parliament House Secretariat group.  Murdoch also expressed strong views about the landscape treatment for the Parliamentary precinct and is credited with the selection of poplars for the principal intersections and boundaries.
Charles Weston, officer-in-charge of Afforestation (later Parks and Gardens) at the national capital, established nurseries and propagated plants suited to the conditions in Canberra.  He also oversaw the planting and landscape development of the city.  His varied concepts and approaches are expressed in the divergent characters of the landscape to all sides of West Block.
(i)       the place has significant heritage value because of the place's importance as part of Indigenous tradition.
West Block does not satisfy this criterion.

3.5                    Statement of significance
For the purposes of this HMP, the existing CHL entry for West Block is accepted, including the gazetted Statement of Significance (transcribed below) and the 'official' values.

3.5.1               Summary Statement of Significance
West Block is a significant component of the Parliament House Secretariat group, which also includes East Block and the Provisional Parliament House.  The group is located at the southern end of the Parliamentary Triangle and is an integral component of the significant Parliamentary Triangle landscape, exhibiting the skilful handling of planning and architectural forms within a designed landscape of related buildings and spaces.  The group forms essential and important axial planning elements with the Parliamentary Triangle.  The planning principles of the group are as established by Walter Burley Griffin, and the architectural resolution of the group is as established within the office of John Smith Murdoch,