Australian Capital Territory
(Planning and Land Management) Act 1988
Amendment
of the
National Capital Plan
Amendment 16
(Master Plan for the
Australian National Botanic Gardens)
December 1996
Amendment of the National Capital Plan Amendment 16
1. Amend Figure 1 (General Policy Plan - Metropolitan Canberra) in respect of the gazetted Australian National Botanic Gardens reservation (Blocks 1331, 1332 and 1333 Canberra Central), Block 1305 Canberra Central (reservoir site), part of the Black Mountain Drive road reservation, Block 1 Section 73 (part) Acton (area between the Australian National Botanic Gardens and Parkes Way), and Block 2 Section 2 Acton (road reservation) to change the general land use policy from “Hills, Ridges and Buffer Spaces” to “Urban Areas” for the areas bounded by the heavy lines as shown on Attachment 1; and delete the Proposed Arterial Road symbol lying to the east of the Australian National Botanic Gardens reservation and extending from Barry Drive to Parkes Way.
2. Amend Figure 4 (The Central National Area - Key Map) (Part) in Part 1 of the National Capital Plan to include the areas shown at Attachment 1 within the border to which Figure 9 applies.
3. Amend Figure 9 to include the areas covered by Attachment 1 and uses set out at Attachment 2; and amend the title page to read “The Central National Area (Acton) and Canberra Central (Part)”.
4. Amend policy 8.5.3(h) to delete “National Botanic Gardens (Black Mountain)” from the range of uses permitted in the “Hills, Ridges and Buffer Spaces” part of the National Capital Open Space System. The amended policy would then read as follows:
(h) The range of uses permitted in the Hills, Ridges and Buffer Spaces part of the National Capital Open Space System will be the following:
• Agriculture
• Extractive Industry (Mugga Quarry only)
• Forestry (Green Hills, Tuggeranong, Ingeldene, Stromlo and Fairbairn Pine Plantations and woodlots only)
• General Farming
• Landscape Buffer
• Nature Conservation Area
• Open Space
• Outdoor Education Establishment
• Outdoor Recreation Facility (not including stadiums, showgrounds, racecourses, motor racing and like activities)
• Park
• Pathway Corridor
• Public Utility
• Road
• Scientific Research Establishment
• Tourist Centre (Gold Creek and Gilmore only)
and may include Dwelling if necessary for the operation of any of these uses.
The nature of uses permitted in the Hill, Ridges and Buffer Spaces part of the National Capital Open Space System is defined in Appendix A.
5. Amend the boundary of the Designated Area (“The Inner Hills”) to exclude the areas bounded by the heavy lines as shown on Attachment 1.
6. Amend the Definition in Appendix A for “National Capital Use” to include the Australian National Botanic Gardens. The amended definition would then read as follows:
National Capital Use
The use of any land, building or structure for the purpose of a work of special status and national interest. This includes the National Library, the National Gallery, the High Court, the National Archives Headquarters, the Museum of Australia, the Australian War Memorial, the Prime Minister’s Residence, the Governor-General’s Residence, the Australian National University, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Commonwealth Offices needing prestigious locations, national memorials, National Association Offices as herein defined, a hospitality house or a Commonwealth Government conference centre and the like.
7. Amend Appendix A to introduce a new definition for “Botanic Garden” (indexed alphabetically). The new definition reads as:
Botanic Garden
A reserve established and managed as a botanic garden in accordance with the provisions of the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975.
8. Amend Appendix T - Master Plans to introduce Appendix T.4 - Australian National Botanic Gardens Master Plan as set out at Attachment 3, and amend the Appendices Index accordingly.
ATTACHMENT 1
Australian National Botanic Gardens and Environs
ATTACHMENT 2
Australian National Botanic Gardens and Environs
Attachment 3
Appendix T.4
Australian National Botanic Gardens Master Plan
Australian National Botanic Gardens
1. Purpose and Objectives
The Master Plan is intended to act as a framework to guide the future planning, design and development of the Australian National Botanic Gardens site (Gardens). The Master Plan will ensure the continued operation of a major national scientific and educational institution in accordance with the national significance of the activity and the maintenance and enhancement of the special characteristics of the locality.
Preparation of Master Plans including priorities for carrying out these activities is a response to Section 10 of the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 (the Act), for Designated Areas set out in the National Capital Plan. Designated Areas are those areas of land having the special characteristics of the National Capital. The Gardens is situated within the Central National Area Designated Area.
Master Plans may be prepared by or on behalf of the relevant organisations and are subject to approval by the Authority and incorporation into the National Capital Plan as Detailed Conditions of Planning, Design and Development. It is intended that approval of Master Plans will expedite works approval requirements, especially in relation to routine and minor matters. Master Plans in themselves do not confer works approval. They provide a context in which applications for works approval can be considered.
The Gardens through the Australian Nature Conservation Agency has prepared a Plan of Management that sets out matters of management control. Reference should be made to the Plan of Management when necessary to clarify management responsibilities.
2. Special Characteristics of the National Capital
Located on the eastern slopes of Black Mountain, the Gardens enjoys a prominent position within the Central National Area of the National Capital. With Black Mountain and Lake Burley Griffin marking the upper and lower boundaries, the Gardens has a rare scenic beauty. The predominant landscape environment and the sensitive siting of buildings under the natural tree cover further enhance the setting.
The Gardens has been consistently planned to serve as a scientific institution with an educational role while also providing visitors with a quiet natural haven complete with walking trails and picnic spots. Looking from the Gardens across the Lake, one can see such Canberra landmarks as Parliament House, and the National Library. Although somewhat camouflaged by the leafy canopy, the Gardens is visible from vantage points all around the Lake and Central National Area, and including other locations such as the Australian National University, Civic Centre and the CSIRO.
As a key feature of Walter Burley Griffin’s original plan, the Gardens has special national significance. Situated partly within the original location and on adjacent land on the lower slopes of Black Mountain, the Gardens fulfils its role as a landscape backdrop to central Canberra. A favourable micro-climate allows an unequalled array of native flora to flourish thereby contributing positively to the character of the capital. Burley Griffin included the gardens in his plan because they were an important element in a relationship which united the Parliamentary Triangle, the Central National Area and other Designated Areas.
The commitment of the Gardens to Australian flora has a wider context. Since the inaugural tree planting in 1949, the Gardens has developed as the major national scientific and educational collection of Australian flora. The display of Australian native plants is recognised nationally and internationally as the most comprehensive in the world including, as an integrated resource, a national collection of living and herbarium specimens for study, conservation, interpretation and display.
The Gardens supports the goal of Ecologically Sustainable Development as outlined by the Commonwealth Government. One of the principles of ESD, the maintenance of bio-diversity, is the basis of policies which sustain and expand the environmental resource base. The Gardens recognises the need to extend the range of species in cultivation for Australian flora to be adequately preserved, interpreted and protected for posterity. In so doing it will further increase the botanical significance of the collection. The Gardens has prepared a Plan of Management to assist in site management.
The scientific, aesthetic and recreational values of the Gardens have been recognised by inclusion in the Register of the National Estate (in part) and in the Statutory provisions of the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975, thereby ensuring the protection of the philosophy, policies and physical structure of this precious natural resource. The Gardens is on National Land and, in the first National Capital Plan (1990), was included within the Inner Hills Designated Area as having the special characteristics of the National Capital. It is now within the Central National Area Designated Area.
The significance of the Gardens and the characteristics which warrant inclusion in a Designated Area recognise that:
• The Gardens is a national institution;
• It forms an integral component of Griffin’s composition for Canberra; and
• It contributes to the visual quality of the National Capital.
The National Capital Plan will ensure that the Gardens, through the collections and operational management, can continue to exhibit the special characteristics of the National Capital. Those characteristics will be protected through detailed conditions as set out in the National Capital Plan.
3. Coverage of the Master Plan
The coverage of the Master Plan includes the existing Blocks (Blocks 1331,1332 and 1333 Canberra Central) additional land between the southern boundary of Block 1331, Parkes Way and Clunies Ross Street for a possible future extension, additional land resulting from boundary adjustments, and a proposed new gateway to Block 1332. Only Block 1332 is developed. Blocks 1331 and 1333 are undeveloped. Some initial investigation for possible development has occurred on Block 1333. The Master Plan therefore covers all the areas set out above.
The detailed conditions of planning, design and development for the Gardens are set out below and include figure 1. There is a requirement that development control plans be developed and agreed by the Authority for Blocks 1331 (and any additional land) and 1333. These may be the subject of a future amendment to the Master Plan.
The known constraints to development of the total site for the Gardens are included in the Master Plan.
4. Permitted Land Use
The General Policy Plan of the Plan shows the Gardens as being within the urban area of Canberra Central. The land use policy is National Capital Use. This is defined in Appendix A of the National Capital Plan as (generally) the use of any land, building or structure for the purpose of a work of special status and national interest.
The permitted land use is Botanic Garden which means a reserve established and managed as a botanic garden in accordance with the provisions of the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975.
5. Principles and Policies
The following Principles and Policies apply to the total site. Principles are guiding statements which provide the general direction for the development and maintenance of the site while Policies deal with more detailed and specific issues.
5.1 General Principles
The site is located within the Central National Area Designated Area and a high quality of planning and development is required to be achieved within a design context appropriate to the Gardens function and location. Strong support is exhibited by the Gardens for the Commonwealth’s ESD Strategy through ex-situ conservation and the concomitant contribution to the conservation of biological diversity. The following general principles will apply;
FIGURE 1
Australian National Botanic Gardens - Master Plan
1. The Gardens should continue to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Commonwealth’s National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) by ensuring all developments are consistent with ESD principles.
2. Development of the Gardens will contribute to the special characteristics of the National Capital within the context of a cohesive framework.
3. Development of the Gardens will evolve incrementally and be capable of incorporating worthy changes within the framework in response to economic, administrative, management and environmental circumstances and in accordance with its national significance.
4. Development will allow for the establishment, maintenance and display to the highest possible standard of the national collection of Australian native flora and related species. This is to include research, conservation, education and recreation enhancing the existing standard of landscape, built form and environmental design.
5. Opportunities for the maintenance and enhancement of the linkages to adjacent sites and in particular the Central National Area, through paths and/or visual landscape corridors will be encouraged.
5.2 Activity Location Principles and Policies
The location of activities within the Australian National Botanic Gardens has an impact on national significance. The following principles and policies for activity location should reinforce national significance and allow the unique qualities of the site to continue.
Principles
1. The location of visitor orientated displays shall encourage maximum utilisation of established infrastructure and relate to a clearly defined pedestrian system.
2. Future development shall consolidate similar uses into defined common activity zones located to minimise conflicts between visitors, staff and servicing activities so as to contain dispersion of uses, minimise functional conflicts, and improve the operational effectiveness while maximising visitor amenity.
3. Service trades functions shall be consolidated wherever possible and generally located within the Secondary Building Zone with rear service access from the service road network.
4. Major building development, redevelopment opportunities and the location of major structures shall be carefully determined in relation to their built form, landscape and environmental impacts and should be within either the Primary or Secondary Building Zone, and
5. Provide and enhance a ‘gateway’ to the site that befits its location and national significance.
Policies
1. Consultation with the Australian Heritage Commission is required for works affecting the heritage values of that part of the Gardens entered in the Register of the National Estate, whether for works within that land or within its immediate surroundings.
2. Generally, visitor access to the Gardens shall be via the major or primary entrance from Clunies Ross Street while service access shall be from Frith Street. Vehicle circulation for service vehicles only is to be facilitated by a primary service vehicle route.
3. Car parking facilities will generally be provided in formal car parks in the Primary Building Zone on the basis of the current provision of 223 spaces for visitors and a further 28 spaces for staff and official use. In addition, there will be four designated coach parking spaces provided.
4. Within the Secondary Building Zone, car parking will be provided on the basis of 40 spaces for staff and 40 spaces for visitors in a landscaped setting well screened from Frith Street. The design of the parking areas shall be in accordance with the appropriate Australian Standard.
5. Development on Blocks 1331 (and its possible future extension), and Block 1333 shall be subject to the preparation of a plan setting out development concepts, impacts and proposal details to the satisfaction of the Authority. Such a plan may form the basis of an amendment to the Master Plan.
5.3 Landscape Principles and Policies
The overall landscape structure shall assist the integration of the Gardens within the contextual landscape provided by Black Mountain and adjacent land uses and shall exhibit national significance. The landscape structure of the Gardens shall be predicated on the following principles and policies.
Principles
1. The Gardens shall maintain and enhance the site’s unique landscape and environmental character, which is recognised by the entry of Block 1332 on the Register of the National Estate, and exhibit support to the Commonwealth ESD Strategy.
2. Opportunities should be encouraged for the enhancement and reinforcement of the physical, symbolic and visual linkages to adjoining areas of the Inner Hills and the CNA.
3. Future development shall recognise and reinforce the visual landscape character of the site as an integral part of the CNA, by preserving and reinforcing where possible the Eucalyptus canopy which extends down Black Mountain.
Policies
1. Landscape treatment within the required landscape zone where shown on Figure 1 shall be planned, implemented and maintained to provide a visual screening of carparks and service roads and accentuate the national significance of the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Screening shall generally achieve a minimum planting width of six metres.
2. A clearly defined and signed pedestrian system should be provided that focuses on existing and planned facilities. The system should be developed which takes into account walking distances, gradients, and provides maximum accessibility to as many visitor attractions as possible.
3. The topography of the Gardens offers a range of opportunities for the design of car parks exploiting changes in level. Preference will be given to the planting of appropriate trees, shrubs and cascading ground covers to assist in reducing the visual impact of retaining walls and other hard surfacing.
4. Site furniture should be designed within a coordinated theme reflecting the Australian landscape, and utilising local materials wherever possible.
5. A coordinated thematic signage system integrated with the site furniture shall be implemented to provide locational, directional, thematic and interpretative information.
6. Generally the colour scheme to be used throughout the Gardens should reflect natural colours reflecting the landscape of the Australian native flora.
7. The sensitive siting of artworks will be encouraged in locations which offer opportunities for artistic expression and the creative interaction between art and the forms, textures, and colours of the landscape context.
5.4 Environment Principles and Policies
The Gardens contains elements of cultural significance, remnant vegetation, and sites of geomorphological and geological significance (refer to Figure 1). Block 1332 in particular has significant heritage values, and for this reason has been placed on the Register of the National Estate. Therefore, consultation with the Australian Heritage Commission is required for works affecting buildings and landscape within Block 1332. Beyond this, the following principles and policies will apply.
Principles
1. The identification, conservation and interpretation of sites or elements of cultural or natural significance shall take place, and development shall be in accordance with the conservation values of those identified sites and elements.
2. The Gardens is to conform with relevant Commonwealth and ACT environmental legislation.
Policies
1. Sites of cultural significance within the Gardens in general and Block 1331 and its extension in particular, should be identified and if necessary a cultural resource survey carried out to clarify status before any development occurs. The sites will not be disturbed. The opportunity for sites to be available as a educational resource should be investigated.
2. In general, remnant forest should be retained and managed for conservation, education and wildlife habitat. Isolated trees should be retained wherever possible. Trees which are dead or dying or in the senile phase should be retained if they exhibit habitat value, are not hazardous to the public (or can be rendered safe), and do not unduly detract from the aesthetic appeal of horticultural displays or occupy growing space better utilised by living specimens.
3. Water draining from propagation facilities and standing-out areas should not be channelled directly to the stormwater system. Such water is to be retained within the Gardens site in appropriate structures (eg retention ponds), and/or intercepted on-site in effluent filters (eg artificial wetlands). Water retention/interception structures are to be in place before the construction of new development commences, and consideration should be given to their visual integration in the surrounding landscape.
4. Sites of geomorphoiogical significance are to be treated as an educational and scientific resource, and maintained in a way which is consistent with these values (eg minimal disturbance of exposures; periodic removal of colonising plants). Consideration should be given to interpreting these features through appropriate signage and educational materials.
5. Sites of geological significance are to be maintained as an unobscured exposure to preserve the scientific and educational values. Consideration should be given to interpreting these features through appropriate signage and educational materials.
5.5 Building Principles and Policies
Whilst buildings within the Gardens are considered to be secondary to plant material, it is important that they have a character and form that acknowledges their function, the sites national significance and their location within the site. Therefore built form should be sympathetic and planned to assist and complement the landscape structure of the Gardens.
Principles
1. Buildings of similar character and function should be grouped generally within the Primary and Secondary Building Zones to create and define spaces and add to the site’s overall landscape structure to create a sequence of built form elements that assist and complement visitor education;
2. Buildings should demonstrate ecologically sustainable development through their planning and construction reflecting the conservation of energy and the environment and demonstrating their positive contribution to enhancing the landscape character within the opportunities and constraints of an Australian environment, and
3. Provide for the continued development of the Gardens in accordance with its national significance and agreed plan of priorities set out in the Plan of Management.
Policies
1. The scale and external treatment of buildings, including materials, colours and general standards of finish shall ensure that the buildings, walls, fences and other ancillary structures, support and do not detract from the national significance of the site and are within the unity of an overall design theme.
2. A plan is required prepared to the satisfaction of the Authority for any proposed building development within the Primary and Secondary Building Zones. Such a plan will include details of development concepts and, linkages, together with environment, landscape and visual impacts and details of floor area, building footprints, materials, colours and any other matters the Authority considers necessary.
3. Generally, buildings should be of a scale that does not result in the domination of built form over the natural environment. Materials should demonstrate a
sympathetic integration of architecture and environmental design, and colours should generally be passive using colour schemes sympathetic to the Australian natural environment.
4. The maximum height of buildings in the Gardens is restricted to the height of the contextual tree canopy to maintain the visual integrity of the Inner Hills. In order to ensure visual integrity is maintained, a visual assessment of the site as viewed from external public vantage points will be required for any building or dominant structure development. Buildings and other dominant structures shall not be placed on or near prominent ridges.
5. The erection of structures above roofs and signage shall comply with the Design and Siting Conditions for the time being contained in Appendix H of the National Capital Plan.
6. Master Plan Review
A review of the Master Plan can be requested by either the Gardens or the Authority. In the case of the Gardens it may be likely that a review may occur when the undeveloped parts of the site (Blocks 1331 and 1333) have endorsed development plans, or significant development is proposed on Block 1332, or in conjunction with a review of the Plan of Management.