Inquiry into National Memorials in Canberra

The Australian Parliament's Joint Select Committee on the National Capital and External Territories is inquiring into the process for approving National Memorials in Canberra. In particular there is a proposal to build two monuments on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin opposite Anzac Parade. The Walter Burley Griffin Society opposes the monuments as they intrude into the Griffins design for Canberra. So far there have been only two submissions.

Members and friends of the Society,

We are pleased to inform you that an Inquiry by the Joint Select Committee on the National Capital and External Territories has been established to look into the approvals process for National Memorials in Canberra and the proposal to build two large monuments on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. We have previously alerted you to this proposal and many members kindly wrote expressing their opposition to the proposed WW I and II memorials, believing them to be unnecessary intrusions into the Lake Burley Griffin parklands and the vistas of Anzac Parade and the Parliamentary Triangle; excessive in size; and inappropriate in function, given the deep significance of the Australian War Memorial nearby.

Images of the proposed WW I and II memorials can be found on the proponent’s website: http://www.mdc.org.au/

Details for the inquiry are at http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/ncet/memorials/index.htm

Terms of reference are as follows (note especially clause 2):

The Committee has been asked by The Hon Simon Crean MP, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government:

1. To inquire into, and report on:

§ The administration of the National Memorials Ordinance 1928 (the Ordinance), with particular reference on:
	§ The membership of the Canberra National Memorials Committee (CNMC);
	§ The process for decision-making by the CNMC;
	§ Mechanisms for the CNMC to seek independent, expert advice; and
	§ Opportunities for improving transparency in the administration of the Ordinance.
§ The appropriate level of parliamentary oversight for proposed National Memorials.
§ The appropriate level of public participation in the development of proposed National Memorials.

2. If changes to current arrangements are recommended, inquire into and report on transition provisions for current proposals for memorials which have not yet been constructed.

We are therefore asking WBG Society members (with our Australia–wide membership) to send even a brief correspondence to this Committee, stating your opposition to the proposed memorials. For background information, please also see the website http://lakewarmemorialsforum.org/index.html

Emails should be sent to the Committee Secretariat at jscncet@aph.gov.au by 9 September 2011.

We hope you are able to assist in this matter of concern.

Regards,

Kerry

info(a)griffinsociety.org