OUR HERITAGE AT RISK -  AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY - 2008

Place:   RZ2 Areas (former A10) Yarralumla

Threat: Current planning policy devaluing and overiding heritage values

Significance:

The Yarralumla heritage housing precinct is an example of early twentieth century planned garden city suburban precincts.  It demonstrates how English Garden City planning philosophy was appropriated and implemented by the Federal Capital administration and planning bodies to cater for all ranks of public service, and privately employed families.

The architectural character of the precinct is also valued for its high degree of aesthetic unity and demonstration of technical innovation in the design of low-density public housing subdivisions.  This includes the use of alternate exterior elevations on the same floor plan, the mirror reversing of floor plans, and the recurring use of architectural elements such as recessed porches or chimneys located on a gable façade. 

The landscape treatment of the precinct is also valued for its aesthetic unity.  This emanates from the spatial treatment of landscape including setbacks providing for a generous garden setting and separation between dwellings.

The precinct is historically significant as one of the surviving example of the early twentieth century planned garden city suburban planning.  Since the Second World War, Garden City planning has followed a continuous process of rationalisation to suit changing lifestyles.  Key features such as the presence of central landscaped reserves overlooked by housing, generous verge widths, generous block sizes, building footprints, and front setbacks have been lost or diminished.

The precinct is significant as a record of the class structure delineated by the federal Capital planners.  During the development of the national capital urban precincts were planned and built for lower, mid and upper income public servants.  This is demonstrated in the planning strategies and types of housing deemed suitable for particular income levels, and in the standard suburban block and detached houses

Statement of Risk:

Relating to a development application in Yarralumla, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal has made a landmark decision which may affect heritage places within RZ2 Suburban Core Zones.  A planning objective allows for an increase in housing density and multi-unit, two-storey developments thus making standing heritage values subservient to the current planning philosophy. 

Degree of Risk:       High risk - no solution agreed

Threats/Risks:        Destruction and Devaluation

Fate/outcome:         Stable (not yet saved or secure, ie, solution not yet fully implemented) 

Desired Outcome / Vision:

Identified heritage values need to be observed and protected and should override the planning philosophy developed for these areas..

                                                                            View Nomination Form

RZ2 – Suburban Core Zone – Effective under ACT Legislation 31 March 2008

Zone Objectives

• Create a wide range of affordable and sustainable housing choices to accommodate population growth and meet changing household and community needs
• Ensure that development addresses the street and the existing neighbourhood characteristics in scale, form and site development
• Facilitate efficient use of existing social and physical infrastructure and services in residential areas close to commercial centres
• Provide opportunities for home based employment consistent with residential amenity
• Provide for a limited range of small-scale facilities to meet local needs consistent with residential amenity
• Promote energy efficiency and conservation and sustainable water use

Planning Implications