Community input on future of Yarralumla Brickworks site

The community is being invited to help determine the future of the iconic Old Canberra Brickworks site in Yarralumla, with a comprehensive consultation starting in the coming weeks.

The consultation, which will include face-to-face meetings and surveys involving locals and the broader Canberra community, will look at the conservation and possible redevelopment of the historic Brickworks and its surrounds.

A detailed planning study for the site, which is consistent with legislative requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2007, is also being developed concurrently with the consultation.

The Old Canberra Brickworks operated from 1913 to 1976 producing many millions of the iconic "Canberra Red" bricks used in Canberra's early homes and public buildings. The 60-hectare site forms a major axis with Parliament House and the entry to Government House, and is adjacent to the Australian Government Mint and residential areas.

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said the Government was determined to involve the community in the conversation about how best to preserve the historic site.  He said he would write personally to local residents to invite them to take part in the consultation.

"The ACT Government wants the community to participate in a conversation about the future use and conservation of the Old Canberra Brickworks site," Mr Stanhope said. "Over the coming weeks, Canberrans will be asked what they value about the site, how they want the site's heritage values to be retained, and the extent to which public funds should be used to maintain the site.

"We want the community to indicate the level of development of the land adjoining the heritage site they would support, and the extent to which any development should be conditional on the preservation of the Brickworks.

"The consultation will be broad-reaching and include face-to-face meetings, an extensive community survey and two telephone surveys. Based on the feedback received, scenarios will be developed and presented to the community for further consultation."

A comprehensive Conservation Management Plan for the Brickworks would also help inform the Government's views on future uses of the site. The Plan was expected to be released next month for the community to view.

"Over recent months, the Government has been working on a detailed Conservation Management Plan for the Old Canberra Brickworks. The plan will ensure that the commercial viability of any potential redevelopment of the site and its adjoining land is considered, along with the heritage significance of the Brickworks."

The consultation and planning study will be managed by the Land Development Agency and led by an experienced consultancy team.

A projectReference Group is being established to provide advice, support and guidance to the LDA and the project team. To constitute the group, the LDA is inviting representatives from: the Yarralumla Residents Association (YRA); Deakin Residents' Association; Yarralumla Primary School P&C; Walter Burley Griffin Society; Pedal Power ACT; Canberra Pedestrians Forum; National Trust; ACT Institute of Architects; PIA - ACT Division; Royal Canberra Golf Club; and other residential and business representatives.

Details of the consultation will be advertised in the future in the Community Noticeboard in Saturday editions of the Canberra Times and online at http://www.lda.act.gov.au/.