There's rarely a shortage of leaks inside Parliament House, but one with the greatest potential to cause damage is finally being addressed.
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Scaffolding is in place around the large skylight directly underneath the building's main flagpole as work to repair long standing leaks continue.
Last month, Department of Parliamentary Services secretary Robert Stefanic told Senate estimates hearings repair works on the skylights were coming in on budget, after years of mopping up inside during heavy rain and storms.
The federal government provided $18.3 million in capital works funding over two years from 2016-17 to strengthen the main and side skylights within the building after deterioration was identified in the de-laminated glazing panels.
During one storm, attendants had to use towels and buckets to mop up during question time in the House of Representatives chamber.
The then speaker Bronwyn Bishop noted leaking was a problem familiar to most political parties represented in Parliament.
"Now you can see why this building is in need of repair," she added.
Visitors to the building's grassy rooftop face minor disruption from the scaffolding and from ongoing works to bolster security conditions around the Parliamentary precinct, including construction of a 2.6 metre steel security fence across the sloping front lawn.
The fence is part of more than $126 million in security upgrades and fortification works planned for Parliament House, due to be completed by June 2018.
Approval for the security upgrades, prompted in part by attacks on the Canadian and British parliaments, was rushed through as MPs prepared to leave Canberra for the Christmas break last year.
More work will be needed.
The department's recent annual report said the Members' Terrace garden is currently leaking into the building's main Marble Foyer.
With significant potential to damage the building, the leak will require attention and further consultation has begun before remediation action is taken.
Other planned work includes upgrades repairs to paving and grouting in the forecourt and the pond, expected to be added to a planned three-year, $29 million renewal program for the area.
That project will begin in the second quarter of 2018.
Officials say more replacement of mature trees currently in poor condition are planned for suitable times of year.
Some replanting will also take place in areas where shrubs have not been growing well around the building.
Other recent improvements have seen replacement surfaces on the Senate tennis courts and upgraded turf conditions.
New planting in some of the building's peripheral gardens have improved the appearance of the area.
Any changes or upgrades must be approved by the moral rights holders of Parliament House, experts who maintain the integrity of the building's design created by architect Romaldo Giurgola.
