Instead of fulfilling his dream to be a town planner, Mario Serenellini's design skills were used underneath Canberra, which has left him with unusual insights into the territory's development.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Serenellini is now retired and his backyard studio in Weetangera has a detailed drawing that captures his decade as a troubleshooter in the Department of Public Works.
There's the huge pipe bridge he helped design, the lower Molonglo treatment plant, Ginninderra sewers and a narrow, light crane police use to fish people out of the water.
Signed by his workmates, the sketch includes the moment he asked his new boss in Canberra - another Italian - if they could speak Italian, only to be told he spoke only English.
Frustration from language and cultural barriers have thwarted Dr Serenellini's passion for town planning all his working life.
He followed his father and builder Gaulio Serenellini to Canberra after completing studies in civil engineering, architecture and town planning in Rome. He arrived in 1971 at age 31.
His hopes were raised when the National Capital Development Commission advertised for a planner. But the commission would not recognise his qualifications.
He continued working with the Department of Works, overseeing the design of sewers. While he was alarmed at Canberra's urban sprawl, NCDC planners had assured him that as the population grew, the infill housing would come.
Checking the sewers from Watson to Fyshwick he found comprehensive pipeworks that would accommodate future high-rise apartments.
In recent years he has been appalled that all that work has been overlooked in favour of office projects, including ASIO's headquarters.
And developers have continued expanding dormitory suburbs, buying up land from the ACT government.
''Why have all the accountants and solicitors in Civic, why not at Belconnen?'' he said.
''The town is a living thing, it is not like a painting on the wall, there has to be a long-term vision.''
Light rail would not solve the problems arising from continued sprawl, he said. ''You only want houses to make the light rail work. What a stupid idea.''
Self-government had been disastrous because not enough money was being spent on planning or proper governance.
''They gave it all to developers and they just look at money.
''We had a good system of checking to make sure there was no corruption,'' he said, but this had been let go.
Allowing private certifiers, rather than government certifiers, to approve design was foolhardy.
The Territory Plan was vague and too easily compromised.
''I am against all this consultation. In Italy there is a saying: 'If too many roosters sing, the day will never come.' The plan should be made by competent people and decisions not be made on emotion.''
More medium-density housing was needed to house families, which could occur with government incentives that rewarded families. This would overcome developers building for only single occupants.
The ASIO tower was one of two new monsters on Parkes Way, the second was the Nishi apartment tower.
''You come out from under the tunnel and think, 'My God, what is that, another monster?' It is un-Canberran. I can't understand why more people are not complaining.''