Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00620:body:0:p53
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00620
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 143847–146906

a group of buildings for the administration of a territory, region or State in Australia is uncommon.  The contextual rationale for this approach is of historical significance to Australia (see Criterion A above).
The origins and evolution of Canberra as a purpose-built capital city in an isolated bush setting is a singular phenomenon in Australia, and demanded an uncommon (unique) response to its planning, construction and development, including the construction of a group of buildings for the practice and operation of government.  A more typical sequence is for the construction of a principal parliament building, with support facilities delivered incrementally over a period of time as required.  An exception to this pattern is the Commonwealth and State offices group in Adelaide Street, Brisbane (completed in 1936), also planned and designed by J S Murdoch.
(c)     the place has significant heritage value because of the place's potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Australia's natural or cultural history

The subject site is not considered to satisfy this criterion.

Block 3, Section 23 Parkes (part) was partially excavated in the mid-1920s, to establish a level site for the construction of West Block.  This activity, as well as grading works for the establishment of the integral car park and the landscape setting generally, means, there is limited potential for subsurface artefacts relating to earlier occupation and/or land use at the site.  Exceptions may relate to subsurface evidence of pneumatic tubes that connected the buildings of the Parliament House group during the 1940s, and evidence of World War II-era defences (i.e. trenches).  In the event that archaeological remains are discovered at the site, the relevant authorities should be informed before proceeding with work (see also Chapter 5, Policy 22).
(d)     the place has significant heritage value because of the place's importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of:
           (1)     a class of Australia's natural or cultural places; or
           (2)     a class of Australia's natural or cultural environments;
West Block is significant for demonstrating the principal characteristics of the Federal Capital style, a generally conservative and unpretentious synthesis of revivalist styles and overseas influences, including Stripped Classicism, which is now strongly associated with Canberra's establishment phase.  Distinguishing characteristics of the style evident in West Block today include: horizontal massing; symmetrical façades divided into vertical bays; and a simple, unpretentious architectural expression, with limited use of decorative elements.  Internal evidence of the building's original/early (pre-1950s) character and layout is very limited.  Extant elements  and attributes include: the north-south axis that connects the four blocks on each level; the two staircases in B Block; timber ceiling panels where extant in A, B and C Blocks; and timber structural framing on levels 1 and 2,