Heritage assessment referral has been lodged

The company wanting to build the proposed war memorials beside the lake has lodged heritage assessment documents with the Department of the Environment. This is normally the final step before approval is given to construct. We are concerned that they have taken little notice of the huge public outcry against the proposed construction. They have reduced the height of the designed towers from 20m to 15m, and moved them closer to the road, further from the lake, but otherwise, the design is little changed from the previous proposal.

If you are concerned about the impact of these towers on the landscape in Canberra, as we are, you have very little time to lodge an objection. Submissions close by COB on 15 Feb. To ensure your comments are effective, the department has asked for submissions to:
  1. Clearly reference the referral in your submission: EPBC number: 2012/6269; Title: Memorial Development Committee/Tourism and recreation/Rond Terraces Land Axis South of Parkes Way, Canberra/ACT/Construction of two 15m height memorials
  2. State clearly whether, and how, you believe the proposal would have a significant impact on matters protected by the EPBC Act. The Minister, or their delegate, can only take into account comments, concerns or issues in respect to the specific matters of national environmental significance or matters protected under the EPBC Act. Be specific by stating which aspects of the proposal would impact on matters (e.g. a particular listed species or heritage value).
  3. If you believe the information in the referral is misleading or incorrect, you should state the reasons why and provide correct information, if available.
  4. Give the source of any key information used in reaching your conclusion.
  5. Provide clear contact details if the Department needs to get in touch with you to seek clarification.
  6. Provide comments by the due date. If your comments are going to be late, please contact the Department before the due date, and advise of your intention to provide comment, and the date the comment will be provided. The Department will advise you if the comments can be accepted.
Objections should be sent to epbc.referrals@environment.gov.au or in printed form to
Referral Business Entry Point
Environment Assessment Branch
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601
We strongly recommend that you ask SeWPAC to advise the Minister that the proposed action (the lakeside war memorials) is clearly unacceptable because of its social, economic and environmental impacts. This Word document has some dot points that you may wish to draw upon.

If you wish to go into more detail, you could draw upon this additional document, which considers the impact of the proposed memorials on heritage values.

Graham Freeman
6 Feb 2012