Some Canberra residents might also be given to ask just what is going on with the usually tranquil and well maintained precinct around King Edward Terrace and the Australian War Memorial.

An enormous structure is slowly taking shape on the grounds of the National Gallery, while the space between the National Library and Questacon is festooned with orange construction fencing and piles of dirt, with a temporary car park towards the lake doing brisk business.

Meanwhile, Campbell residents have been enduring construction work beside the Australian War Memorial for what seems like ages, though it's really only been a few months.

As is inevitably the case in a young city like Canberra, even well-established institution buildings never seem to be quite finished.

And given that we're practically counting the days to the centenary, it's not surprising that the race is on to get everything ship-shape and looking lived in by 2013.

Winter 2010 is the projected finishing time for the National Gallery's project, its largest extension since it opened in 1982.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times