Commonwealth Park Concept Plan Project

In February 2023, the National Capital Authority (NCA) engaged Turf Design Studio to undertake an initial site analysis and subsequent concept plan for Commonwealth Park.

Located on the northwestern foreshore of the central basin of Lake Burley Griffin, ACT, Commonwealth Park is a component of the Parliament House Vista and is immediately adjacent to Lake Burley Griffin and Adjacent Lands, both of which are included on the Commonwealth Heritage List.

The concept vision will be the initial step in the design process that will illustrate how the landscape components of Commonwealth Park can be revitalised, whilst ensuring the current demands on park use are maintained.

A concept vision is a high-level document. When finalised, future community consultation will be required for detailed master planning to take Commonwealth Park into the future.

Background

Commonwealth Park is a place of 34.25 hectares located on the western side of the central northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin and was established with two intentions: as a place of recreation for city residents and as a showpiece of national horticultural excellence (see Figure 1). Those horticultural aspirations were outlined in a master plan by Dame Sylvia Crowe in 1964-65 but over the years, the development of Commonwealth Park has steered more towards the needs of leisure and community events. It is now a major recreational facility within the National Triangle.

Figure 1: Location Plan – Commonwealth Park, Parkes, ACT

Why now?

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November 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the gazettal of the name 'Commonwealth Park'. It is an opportune time to assess the issues facing the park and reimagine it, so it is an inviting civic place for the next 60 years. In developing the concept plan, the Supplier will consider issues such as the historic legacy of Dame Sylvia’s Crowe’s master plan, the impact of major events such as Floriade, access, the role of the park as a major landscape feature and public resource in the inner city, sustainability, and park management.

Figure 2: Dame Sylvia Crowe’s Master Plan for Commonwealth Park (1965)

Stakeholder Consultation

Stage 1:
Targeted consultation with key stakeholders, including the ACT Government, Registered Aboriginal Organisations (RAOs) and other key entities

Stage 2:
Community consultation on the draft concept vision to include community values and aspirations

Stage 3:
Final concept vision

Next Steps