Heritage Register Communications Centre, John Gorton Building, Parkes, ACT Finance ID Number DFD-61008 Commonwealth Heritage List ID Number 105618 Ownership Owned by Finance on behalf of the Commonwealth The Communication Centre also known as the ‘The Bunker’ is located in the sub floor level of the John Gorton Building, Source: 2002. Australian Heritage Photographic Library. Department of Environment. Location The Communications Centre is located in the lower ground level of the John Gorton Building which is located on the corner of Kind Edward Terrace and Parkes Place, Parkes, ACT. Landscape Setting The Communications centre is located in the sub level of the John Gorton Building, which forms part of the The Communications Centre is not visible from ground level, but is located within the significant Parliamentary Triangle. Source: Australian Heritage Photo Library, 1998. Description of the Place The Communications Centre is a secure, underground Commonwealth Administrative complex located at King Edward Terrace, Canberra ACT. The property is located in the suburb of Parkes, three kilometres south of the Canberra City Centre. Parkes is a suburb of Canberra, featuring residential and commercial development. The Communications Centre lies within the Parliamentary Triangle, Canberra’s ceremonial precinct featuring some of Australia’s most culturally significant buildings. These buildings include Parliament House, Old Parliament House, Defence Headquarters, Treasury Building, National Library and High Court of Australia. The complex lies underground adjacent to the John Gorton building, beneath the southern entrance forecourt area and the southern car park area. Physical Description The office space was unused from when it was vacated in 1996. The computer and furniture were removed but most of the interior art works and decorative features were left in place. The two Hans Dorbecker wool wall hangings "Sunset Sunrise" and "Moon on Water" were thrown out, the clock
Statutory Heritage Values is a Commonwealth Heritage place and is protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Commonwealth Heritage List Statement of significance Black and white flower image on graphic panels in computer room, Source: 2002. Australian Heritage Photographic Library. The Department ofEnvironment. The Communications Centre is significant as a rare example of an underground bunker designed to provide a secure environment for the Commonwealth Government's key communication network that functioned as such from 1978 to 1996. It is a rare example of underground building design that exhibited the best environmental provisions of the time for mitigating the sensory effects on staff of a windowless office. The concrete slab of approximately 450mm thick of reinforced high quality concrete is an uncommon technical feature. The Centre has significance for its association with the nation's 'cold war' activities and the real fear of spying demonstrated by its steel sheathed dense concrete construction designed to obstruct spying on communications, and by the single access point. The Centre has significant, associated artworks. These include the mural, 'Djakaldjirrparr', an in situ art feature by the well-known artist, Johnny Bulun Bulun. Other art works, the Night Wall Light display, the Circuit Board montage, two ribbed aluminium art works, and the retained graffiti wall segment are significant as examples of the fifty purpose-designed art works commissioned to combat sensory deprivation It is important for retaining examples of 1970s style corporate entrance decor in its foyer, incorporating design features of a spiral ramp and, the 'Luxaflex' ceiling and the chrome plated balustrade, banisters and columns, designed to enhance light and movement by reflections. Criterion A Gazetted Commonwealth Heritage values Process Security door and street sign panels, Source: 2002. Australian Heritage Photographic Library. The Department ofEnvironment. The Centre has significance for its association with the nation's 'cold war' activities and the real fear of spying demonstrated by its steel sheathed dense concrete construction designed to obstruct spying on communications, and by the single access point. Criterion B Gazetted Commonwealth Heritage values Rarity The Communications Centre is significant as a rare example of an underground bunker designed to provide a