Supporters of the Albert Hall have applauded a long-awaited management plan they say will restrict the chance of unwanted development on the heritage-listed precinct.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nine years after a petition attracted more than 3300 signatures opposed to plans to build around the city's original unofficial town hall, Planning and Land Management Minister Mick Gentleman tabled the hall's management plan in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
Friends of the Albert Hall president Peter Lundy said the plan was a major achievement in ensuring the hall remained in public management, and called for more public land – such as at Manuka – to be covered by management plans to avoid being "let loose to the developers".
"This land management plan is the icing on the cake in ensuring the hall's future for the community," he said.
"We have come a long way since nearly 10 years ago, the fact there is a plan of management really stops any further development coming along and doing what happened in the [National Capital Authority's] DA53."
Mr Lundy said the final plan crucially allowed community groups to use their own catering facilities, and committed that no permanent cafe would operate on site.
The NCA had proposed the surrounding land be opened up for commercial purposes such as tourist facilities and cafes, with a "landmark building" of up to eight storeys to be constructed on the northern section of Flynn Place and a continuous public pedestrian plaza for the lake foreshore "with seating, outdoor cafes and urban art". The NCA withdrew the development application in June 2009.
The plan sets goals of implementing an online booking system and developing a parking strategy within three years. Improving the backstage area, including resolving issues related to the location of the organ, is a "longer term" goal, to be achieved within 8-10 years.
Mr Gentleman said the plan would protect the significance of the heritage-listed building and block, while maintaining its varied use.
"Ensuring that Albert Hall can continue to host a diverse range of community, cultural and civic activities lies at the heart of the new 10-year Land Management Plan, and a Management Reference Group will be established to guide operational issues like maintenance and hiring arrangements to make sure the hall continues to be a place where the community can easily come together," he said.
Mr Lundy called for the government to establish the reference group before the end of the year to allow for community input into the next budget process. The Friends were "delighted" with the government's ongoing refurbishments, he said.
The ACT Property Group, within the chief minister's directorate, retains management for the building, maintenance, bookings and promotions for the site.
