Temporary Closures: Current advice
Draft Heritage Management Plan - Commencement Column Monument
Image
Commencement Stone
Consultation type
Draft Heritage Management Plans
Closing date
13 October 2026
The foundation stones of the unfinished Commencement Column are historically significant because they mark the site associated with the selection of Australia's federal capital.
Incorporated into the current Commencement Column Monument and relocated to Federation Mall in 1988 following the completion of Parliament House, the stones also commemorate the official foundation and naming of Canberra as the national capital in March 1913.
The monument is closely associated with several key figures in Canberra's establishment, including John Smith Murdoch, who designed both the proposed Commencement Column and Old Parliament House; Lord Thomas Denman, Governor-General at the time the foundation stones were laid; Lady Denman, who officially proclaimed the name "Canberra"; Prime Minister Andrew Fisher; and King O'Malley, the Minister for Home Affairs who played a prominent role in the selection of Canberra as the seat of government.
In recognition of its heritage value, the monument was added to the Commonwealth Heritage List in 2004.
Under section 341X(3) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the National Capital Authority (NCA), welcomes comments on the draft Heritage Management Plans from members of the public, Indigenous People with rights and interests to the place, key stakeholders and community groups by 5:00pm, Tuesday 13 October 2026.
The draft Heritage Management Plans can be downloaded below.
Submissions are to be made via email to heritage@nca.gov.au.
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