Anzac Hall at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra will be demolished, becoming the first Sir Zelman Cowen Award winner to face that grim fate, after the National Capital Authority cleared the way for early works as part of a $500 million redevelopment of the memorial.
The NCA is the final assessment authority for the proposed redevelopment. It received 601 submission during its consultation process, an overwhelming majority, 590, objected to the proposed works, while only three supported it.
Clare Cousins, former national president of the Australian Institute of Architects and spokesperson for the Hands Off Anzac Hall campaign, said, “Australia’s regulatory framework has failed Australians at every step of this abomination of an ‘assessment’ process. Supposedly ‘independent’ decisionmakers been shown to be nothing more than toothless tigers dancing to the tune of their political masters.”
The parade ground and proposed new southern entrance designed by Scott Carver.
Image: Synthetica
Key issues raised in the submissions included the impacts on heritage values and the demolition of Anzac Hall. Many questioned why the expansion was needed and what its purpose was.
The NCA concluded that “the need for the expansion and the story to be told within the expanded facility are matters for the AWM Council […] the NCA does not have a role in determining the content of exhibitions or the curatorial direction of the AWM.”
The NCA also cited previous approvals in its decision. “The approval by Minister Ley satisfies the heritage conditions of the Plan and guided the NCA’s assessment of this matter.”
“The NCA has been advised that the demolition of Anzac Hall was proposed following an exhaustive consideration of development options by the AWM. These were outlined by the AWM in its submission to the PWC. The Committee determined that despite the relatively recent completion of Anzac Hall, its demolition was necessary to create an acceptable visitor experience and to achieve the flexible display space sought by the AWM.
“Demolition of Anzac Hall was not considered to have an unacceptable impact on heritage values of the AWM.”
Cousins, who won the President’s Prize at the ACT Architecture Awards on 4 June for her efforts in the Hands Off Anzac Hall campaign, added, “The Environment Minister, the Parliamentary Public Works Committee and now the NCA have together created an abysmal precedent that endangers every other piece of public architecture in this country.”
“Expert advice on the significant negative heritage impacts to the AWM from demolishing Anzac Hall, as well as widespread community opposition, have been equally ignored.”
