NCA Proposition Canberra is recognised as one of Australia’s great achievements. A beautiful city of identifiably Australian character, in which the National Capital’s roles and functions operate efficiently and with proper regard to their place and importance in a modern federal democracy. It is a city which symbolises Australian life and achievement, and is the actual as well as the symbolic home of the key elements of our Federal democracy and other aspects of national life. The character and setting of Canberra are unique. Many elements of Canberra’s design are of great practical import. This includes those which have created fitting spaces, approaches and backdrops for the institutions, symbols and ceremonies of our Federal democracy, and those which create the setting for the National Capital The vision of the Walter Burley Griffin plan and the quality of the landscape and central urban spaces are attributes unique to the National Capital. The national public places at the centre of the capital provide the setting for the Parliament and national institutions. Such places are also the setting for the ceremonial and community events that reflect our nation’s history, spirit and aspirations. The national areas of the capital should be meaningful, accessible and enjoyable. The Central National Area was created as a keystone to Australia’s national identity. This significant landscape represents the nation’s front yard to our national treasures and achievements. The infrastructure that supports it and the people who use it ensures that this public realm remains common ground for all Australians. As one of our most important cultural landscapes, upkeep of the Central National Area needs to embody national standards of safety and design through strategies that are place-making and purposeful. Sufficient funding towards the planning and management of its structures – particularly major infrastructure - is critical for keeping the history and use of its public realm relevant both now and for future generations. Without this investment, we weaken an important part of our national Australian heritage, and risk losing the crucial democratic tool of public space through its neglect. Introduction The National Capital belongs to all Australians. Embedded in the design of its significant avenues, ceremonial lawns and sweeping vistas is the narrative of Australia’s evolving story. The ambitions of a fledgling federation and ideals of democracy are expressed through its landscape, a national stage on which celebrations, commemorations and protests are enacted. Within the National Triangle, people are connected to some of the nation’s most important cultural, political and judicial institutions and symbols. As custodians of this shared space, the National Capital Authority (NCA) is committed to strategies that strengthen and protect this national landscape in ways that embrace Australia’s heritage, values and aspirations. To facilitate how people across the nation can identify, experience and access the National Capital, the NCA focuses on initiatives that deepen understanding and appreciation around the capital’s function and role in Australia’s nationhood. These ideas are explored further in response to the Terms of Reference as set out by the Inquiry into Canberra’s national institutions, as set out below. Term 1: Creating a strong brand and online presence Response: The National Capital is a reflection of who we are as a nation and our national values. Canberra, as a physical manifestation of the federation, is worthy of national celebration. The NCA’s responsibilities extend to fostering an awareness of Canberra as the National Capital in the hearts of all Australians. As our country’s symbolic centre, the National Triangle must be a place with which citizens can engage and are proud of. It must be a place worthy of the nation. To achieve this, the NCA continues to invest in services and attractions that foster local and national awareness around the significance and role of Canberra as the National Capital. Efforts have focused on strengthening this profile through the redevelopment of the National Capital Exhibition, touring exhibitions and advancement of the NCA’s online communication strategies. Renewal of the National Capital Exhibition The National Capital Exhibition (NCE) tells the story of creation of Canberra as our National Capital, which is in turn the story of the formation of Australian nationhood, and the creation of the city within which our democratic institution would be permanently located. This is a unique role, with no other institution telling this story. The NCE is currently undergoing the process of renewal to improve visitor experience, set to be launched in September of 2018. The process involved extensive research and assessment reviewing the market context of the NCE. Examples of good practice relevant to its new fitout were identified and the NCE’s role and purpose reviewed within the tourism context of Canberra’s cultural institutions. Its redevelopment will see a modern and engaging exhibition which caters both for school students and the general public. Traditionally, the NCE has been an important resource and starting point for visitors to Canberra, as it provides a conceptual, historical and physical orientation to the capital city and its institutions. It is uniquely placed to tell the story around Canberra’s development, its symbolism of Australian identity and presence on the world stage. The updated interpretive strategy will deliver this story through a focus on the following narratives: Orientation: Who and what was in this region before the modern capital. This draws heavily on Indigenous history of the area. Foundations of the Capital: Canberra is important because it was born from the process of federation and continues to reflect national ideals Ideals and dreams / symbols: The Griffins’ design for Canberra was driven by ideas and aspirations for the new nation. Though the city has changed with the needs of the nation, their design created a world-class city, based on the best of international thinking and placed the natural landscape at the core of their design Developing Canberra: As the national capital, where key nation-making decisions, commemoration, protest and international relations happen. The future of the Capital: Canberra is not a museum piece but a living, working and evolving capital. As the custodian of Canberra, the NCA aims to ensure that it continues to be a symbol of Australian national life. Each narrative will be delivered following best practice for museums on use of language, tone, word count and curatorial content. Website redevelopment The NCA’s online presence has been advanced through the launch of a more user-friendly website, as well as targeted communications through advertising and social media such as Twitter and Facebook. In July 2017, the NCA launched its new GovCMS Drupal website, www.nca.gov.au. The government endorsed platform was created for government by government and is driven by agency and end-user needs, allowing departments to share new features created to support their site. This in the long-term creates cost-efficiencies, reducing developer costs associated with creating tailored functionality. The redeveloped site incorporated responsive web design (RWD) principles, improved compliancy with WCAG 2.0 Level AA/AAA standards and is supported by a user-friendly Content Management System. Taking an agile approach to the project, the website is being developed via a staged program of works building on the improvements from the initial site. In December 2017, to the NCA commenced Stage 2 works which have now been implemented. These included: Redevelopment of the front end framework Redesign of the homepage and lading pages Optimising the site to be mobile and tablet responsive Improvements towards a WCAG 2.0 AAA standard Future works will include improvements to the information architecture and navigation as well as taking advantage of additional capabilities rolled-out as part of the platform’s updates such as event booking functionalities. Term 2: Experimenting with new forms of public engagement and audience participation Response: The landscape of the National Capital serves as a repository for national treasures and cultural achievement. Its design, management and upkeep facilitates people’s connection with and understanding of these significant resources. Walter Burley Griffin’s design of the National Capital manifested ideals of democracy into the physical form and layout of the capital. It is this ‘Democratic Architecture’ which defines the hierarchy of land areas within the National Triangle, its grand avenues terminating at the nation’s symbolic centre of Parliament House. As Canberra’s landscape has matured over the last century, people across the nation have relied on this infrastructure to make ideas heard and actions visible. Its recreational spaces have connected people with landscape, government and culture. This past February, Australians came together near Parliament House on Federation Mall to acknowledge the ten year anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generation. During the Enlighten Festival in March, cultural institutions were illuminated within the iconic landscape of the National Triangle, a celebration of Canberra’s artistic and cultural heart. In April, many thousands of Australians gathered on Anzac Parade to pay their respects at the dawn service on Anzac Day. These are but a few examples which