Top 3 Most At Risk Places

Dickson Lyneham Flats – Nominated by Heritage Committee.  Future development projects may wish to see these flats along Northborne Avenue demolished.  A conservation and management plan needs to be done and signed off by the ACT Government.  Risk High

Redwood Forest, Pialligo – Nominated by member of the public.  The sequoia trees planted as part of Weston’s program of afforestation are now stressed. The sequoia trees, planted as part of Weston’s program of afforestation, have suffered severely during the current drought; many smaller trees have died and the larger surviving trees have many dead limbs.  The public entrance to the forest is being illegally used for the dumping of rubbish which has not been cleared. There appears to have been little or no maintenance to the grove in recent times.  Risk High

Yarralumla Brickworks -  2007 nomination. The brickworks ceased operation in 1976 and since then the kilns and infrastructure have not been used for their original purposes.  Lack of regular maintenance and wilful neglect of the structures by successive government bodies over the years has led to a continual deterioration of the entire fabric of the place.  The ACT Government has called for tenders to develop the area but does not intend to carry out a conservation and management plan prior to selecting the developer. Risk High

Other High Risk Places

St Johns Schoolhouse – Nominated by member of the public.  The proposed development surrounding St Johns Schoolhouse Museum threatens the historic value of this heritage building.  The final Master Plan proposes the Schoolhouse be placed on a paved stepped podium (plinth) devoid of green space with multi-storey buildings within 20 metres and two levels of underground car park within 12 metres of the Museum. Risk High

Shores of Lake Burley Griffin – Much of the shores of Lake Burley Griffin are suffering from neglect and/or inappropriate use – for example the building of an open car park on the  eastern shore of West Basin adjacent to Commonwealth Avenue Bridge.  There is no clear plan for future use of much of the shores and no comprehensive Master Plan has been produced.   The shores of the lake are under the planning authority of the NCA. Risk High

RZ 2 Areas (former A10), Yarralumla.  Nominated by member of the public  – The AAT has made a landmark decision in relation to heritage places within these areas relating to a development application in Yarralumla.  The planning objective allows for an increase in housing density and multi-unit, two storey developments making heritage values subservient to the current planning philosophy.  Heritage values need to be protected and override the planning philosophy. Risk High

Old Canberra House & Setting – Nominated by Heritage Committee.  There will be a high visual impact on the building and site by the proposed construction of the new Crawford School building.  Partial destruction of a line of pine trees most likely planted by Weston will also occur.  The Trust has asked for complete abandonment of the proposed project and to re-plan and apply for a new building which does not impact on the heritage values of OCH and grounds. Risk Medium to High

Register of the National Estate – 2007 nomination.  The 2006 amendments to EPBC Act and the AHC Act 2003 provide for the eventual disbandment of the Register of the National Estate within 5 years.  The loss of the RNE puts at risk hundreds of heritage listed sites Australia-wide that do not have legislative protection from Commonwealth, State, Territory or local government protection. Risk Medium to High

Tharwa Bridge – 2007 nomination.  Due to deterioration of original and replace timber elements the bridge has been closed to all traffic and no longer used.  Due to public pressure, much of it from the National Trust and members the ACT government reversed a decision to build a new bridge and is now doing upgrading work on the original bridge.  The Trust retains its 2007 concerns that the bridge be repaired in manner sympathetic to its heritage fabric, reopened to vehicle traffic, maintained accordingly and continue to be used as the sole crossing of the Murrumbidgee River into Tharwa. Risk Medium to High

Other places assessed as medium to low risk:

Albert Hall (2007 nomination)

Flynn School

Canberra Garden City (2007 nomination)

Gungaderra (2007 nomination)

Belconnen Naval Transmitting Station (2007 nomination)

Gold Creek (2007 nomination)

Hall School (2007 nomination)

ACT Heritage nominations backlog (2007 nomination)

Tharwa School (2007 nomination)