Commonwealth Avenue
Commonwealth Avenue
Location
Ngunnawal Country
Canberra - Parliamentary Triangle
For
Major Projects Canberra
Design Team
Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture
Urban
Commonwealth Avenue (the Avenue) is a significant element of the structure of the National Triangle, forming one side of the National Triangle, connecting the symbolic landscape points of Capital Hill and City Hill. The Avenue also provides important pedestrian and vehicle connection to Parliament House and the Parliamentary Zone.
The Avenue was never completed to the form and character conceived in the Griffins’ plan for Canberra; different design priorities of managing authorities over time have resulted in quite different character north and south of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge. The formal geometry of the original Avenue has been eroded by a priority of design for traffic flow, resulting in a loss of trees in the south, and an open highway character in parts.
Although retaining much of the original layout and species, the Avenue has become inconsistent in structure, resulting in a signifi cant loss of the intended formality and elegance - the Avenue no longer fulfills the role as conceived in the Griffins’ plan.
The Structure Plan is intended to serve as a guiding document for future detailed design of the Avenue. It has been developed with input and advice from GML Heritage, to establish an approach to planning and management that is underpinned by an understanding of its heritage significance, and in consultation with the NCA.
Design of the Structure Plan has drawn on background investigation in to the historical development, in order to understand the design intent from initial planning for the Avenue. The Structure Plan also draws on the policies, objectives and detailed conditions of the National Capital Plan, to move a step closer to redefining the Avenue and its edges, to reinforce the integrity of the Griffin Plan.