24 November 2011

The National Memorials report, moving to a Washington Model

| johnboy
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bellona

Tiring of chancers looking to write their dreams on the landscape of Canberra the
Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories has released it’s report Etched in Stone? Inquiry into the Administration of the National Memorials Ordinance 1928.

They want significant reforms and a shift towards the “Washington Model”:

The JSCNCET proposes a new process for approving significant National Memorials and National Monuments in Canberra, a hybrid of the present National Memorials process and the process used in Washington DC. The process would involve a two-pass assessment, the first pass focused on commemorative intent, the second pass on character and location

The Committee’s media release lays out the major features of their proposed legislation as:

    — A definition of ‘commemorative work’ encompassing both National Memorials and National Monuments.
    — The establishment of a National Memorials Advisory Committee, a committee of historical, cultural and subject experts, to assess commemorative intent.
    — The creation of new and binding ‘criteria for commemorative works’ to underpin the assessment process.
    — The creation of a Memorials Master Plan to guide future development.
    — The creation of a ‘two-pass’ approvals process for commemorative works.
    — At the ‘first pass’ memorial proponents must meet commemorative intent and have a realistic budget.
    — Proposals for commemorative intent are to be initiated by motions in both Houses of Parliament and approved on the recommendation of the National Capital and External Territories Committee.
    — At the ‘second pass’, design and location to be finalised. Endorsement to proceed to be given by the National Capital and External Territories Committee subject to heritage and environment assessments, ability to finance the project and community consultation. This approval to be final and binding.

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I suspect that what drove this is the fact that the Governor-General and her designer husband find themselves in the unenviable position of being the ill-advised patrons of the unfortunate Lake War Memorials. I wonder whether they have actually been able to extricate themselves from it.

Wow, the media release reads like a big power play by the JSCNCET. Will have to read whole report now.

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