National Capital Authority
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2013) |
ACT Government | |
Headquarters | Treasury Building, King Edward Terrace Parkes, Australia |
---|---|
Website | nca |
The National Capital Authority (NCA) is a
Timeline of the NCA and preceding bodies:
- 1921–1924: Federal Capital Advisory Committee (FCAC)[2]
- 1925–1930: Federal Capital Commission (FCC)
- 1930–1938: No body in existence
- 1938–1957: National Capital Planning and Development Committee (NCPDC)
- 1958–1989: National Capital Development Commission (NCDC)
- 1989–present: National Capital Authority (NCA)
1921–1924: Federal Capital Advisory Committee (FCAC)
The FCAC oversaw the construction of Canberra from 1921 to 1924 following the termination of the contract of architect Walter Burley Griffin.
The Committee was chaired by Australian architect Sir John Sulman, and advised the Minister of Home Affairs on the Construction of Canberra and conducted a review of the Griffin Plan. The Committee proposed that development should take place in three stages:
- Stage one, which was to take three years, would see the transfer of Parliament and key administrative staff moved from Melbourne to Canberra.
- Stage two, also to take three years, would include the construction of railways in addition to other key buildings
- Stage three would create character and permanence in the capital.
The Committee was largely unsuccessful in achieving its aims, for example Parliament did not move to Canberra until 1927, and no permanent rail connection between Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne was ever completed. However Sulman was instrumental in developing the garden city aspects of Canberra, he declared that the development of Canberra should take the form of 'a garden town, with simple, pleasing, but unpretentious buildings'.
In 1924 the Committee was abolished due to the slow pace of development, it was replaced by the more successful Federal Capital Commission in 1925.
1925–1930: Federal Capital Commission (FCC)
The FCC was formed to construct and administer Canberra from 1 January 1925. The Chief Commissioner of the body was Sir John Butters. The FCC was to prepare Canberra for the arrival of 1,100 civil servants and their families.
During the first 2 years of FCC operation
The FCC was disbanded on 1 May 1930 following the start of the Great Depression in 1929. Development after this point was not centrally planned until the establishment of the National Capital Planning and Development Committee in 1938.
Federal Capital Architectural Style
Federal Capital Commission architects designed houses in the new city and public buildings using a mixture of elements from the
Sir John Sulman began the development of Federal Capital Architecture. Before emigrating to Australia in 1885, he had been a friend of William Morris and active in the Arts and Crafts movement. Other than Sulman's leadership, the influences on the architects employed by the Federal Capital Authority and Commission were reflecting the thinking after the peak of the nationalistic Australian Federation style and looking to America for inspiration and seeking to practically respond to the Australian climate.
By the time Canberra was being built, the popularity of the uniquely Australian Federation style architecture was waning. The architect
Examples of FCC style
-
Provisional Parliament House
-
Hotel Canberra
-
Calthorpes' House
-
Albert Hall
-
Capitol Theatre, Manuka
-
Manuka Pool
-
Telopea Park school
-
Former Canberra High School (now the ANU School of Art)
-
Sydney and Melbourne buildings, Civic
1938–1957: National Capital Planning and Development Committee (NCPDC)
The NCPDC was formed in 1938 to oversee the development of Canberra. The NCPDC was to advise the Minister of the Interior to safeguard the Griffin plan and maintain high aesthetic and architectural standards worthy of a National Capital. The Committee had no executive power, and was unable to direct development of the Capital.
Dissatisfied with progress, the government established a Senate Select Committee in 1954 to inquire into Canberra's development. In 1958 it was replaced by the well funded and authoritative National Capital Development Commission.
1958–1989: National Capital Development Commission (NCDC)
The NCDC was created to complete the establishment of Canberra as the seat of government. It was created in 1957 through the National Capital Development Commission Act 1957.
Under the control of the NCDC Canberra grew from a population of 40,000 to 300,000. The NCDC was responsible for the development of Canberra's satellite cities; Woden Valley, Belconnen, Tuggeranong and Gungahlin. The NCDC also oversaw construction of Lake Burley Griffin and New Parliament House.
The NCDC had four Commissioners:
- Sir John Overall, Commissioner, 1958–1972
- W.C. Andrews, Commissioner, 1972–1974
- Tony Powell, Commissioner, 1974–1985
- Malcolm Latham, Commissioner, 1985–1989
The NCDC was advised by the National Capital Planning Committee which was chaired by the NCDC Commissioner and composed of six nominated representatives of the
The NCDC was abolished after the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988, and most of its functions passed to the new ACT government and the National Capital Authority.
1989–present: National Capital Authority (NCA)
The National Capital Authority was established in 1989 when the Australian Capital Territory was granted self-government. The Authority consists of a Chairperson and four other members, all members are appointed by the Governor-General. Under the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988, the NCA has the authority to prepare and administer a National Capital Plan.
References
- ^ "Financial Overview". 21 November 2019.
- The Register (Adelaide). Vol. LXXXV, no. 23, 101. South Australia. 22 November 1920. p. 6. Retrieved 21 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- National Capital Authority. – 1924: Federal Capital Advisory Committee 1921 – 1924 Federal Capital Advisory Committee
- National Capital Authority. – 1924: Federal Capital Advisory Committee 1925 – 1930 Federal Capital Commission
- National Capital Authority. – 1957: National Capital Planning and Development Committee 1938 – 1957 National Capital Planning and Development Committee
- National Archives of Australia Documenting a Democracy – National Capital Development Commission Act 1957
- National Capital Authority. – 1989: National Capital Development Commission and the National Capital Planning Committee 1958 – 1989 National Capital Development Commission
- National Capital Authority. – Present Day: National Capital Authority 1989 – Present Day: National Capital Authority