Security chiefs at Old Parliament House have refused requests from charities and organisations to illuminate the building with a variety of colours, for security reasons, in the wake of last month's terror-alert level rise.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Increased exterior security lighting and strict directions to allow only white light to be projected onto the facade are part of policy changes at the building to reduce the risk
Agency security adviser and facilities manager Chris Grebert said staff looked into the risks of the current construction work in light of the raised threat levels.
"At the time [of the heightened threat levels], 50 per cent of the front was covered with scaffolding and then they started covering the other side," Mr Grebert said.
"The changes were in light of public safety and security.
"We've been doing the construction for a few months now. We changed to white light in late September … we normally use our building to reflect the light off onto footpaths and car parks but with scaffolding and fences up [it becomes difficult]."
Mr Grebert said white light enhanced footage from CCTV cameras and if the light dropped too much the CCTV wouldl not focus.
"We made a decision to put additional temporary lighting up to bring the light level up, as well as not putting [coloured] gels in," he said.
"Obviously we make sure all our external security lighting is working, and white light is the best."
Despite the increased security measures, Mr Grebert said Old Parliament House would be still be a fixture of Enlighten in February.
The lights extravaganza illuminates buildings in the Parliamentary triangle in a multitude of colours.
"We haven't seen the program but we are committed to going ahead with it," he said.
"As per each year, once the program is out, I sit with the project team and look at security."
Mr Grebert said as with other years, Old Parliament House will employ additional security guards for the after-hours events on the Enlighten calendar.
