The NCA recently came under scrutiny for approving the first stage of the Australian War Memorial expansion despite overwhelming community objections. Following the decision to green light the unpopular project, the authority's head Sally Barnes flagged changes to public consultation by the NCA, including by making it clearer to the public what decisions it had the power to make in the ACT.

A survey of 1004 people, commissioned by progressive think tank The Australia Institute, found just under half of Australians supported abolishing the NCA, compared to just 13 per cent who supported the NCA.

Respondents were asked whether they "agree or disagree that the National Capital Authority should be abolished so the ACT government and parliament can make planning decisions for all of Canberra?"

A high figure, 38 per cent, responded they did not know or were unsure, indicating a significant lack of awareness about who or what manages Canberra.

"I think what this poll indicates is that it's time for a rethink or at least a review of the method by which development, planning and management of the areas that Canberrans use every day comes about," the Australia Institute's executive director Ben Oquist told the Canberra Times.

"I think it'd be wise if there was a parliamentary inquiry at both local ACT level and at the federal parliamentary level about reviewing how the National Capital Authority works and giving a greater say to the local community in managing the assets.

"It is clear Canberra's grown up and it's time for a review of those arrangements."

Instead of the ACT government and federal parliament, the NCA administers areas including the National Triangle - home to national institutions and green spaces, Lake Burley Griffin and its surrounds, as well as major avenues and roads.

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