Parliamentary Triangle, Canberra

The Parliamentary Triangle is the ceremonial precinct of Canberra, containing some of Australia's most significant buildings. The triangle is formed by Commonwealth, Kings and Constitution avenues. Buildings within the triangle have been located and designed intentionally for visual effect, and those of national significance are popular tourist attractions.

The Parliamentary Triangle was a significant feature of Walter Burley Griffin’s plan for Canberra. The apices of the triangle are Parliament House, the seat of government; the Defence Head Quarters at Russell; and City Hill, representing the civilian part of Canberra. Griffin planned the city around two axes which converge in the center of the Parliamentary Triangle. The land axis connects Mount Ainslie, Capital Hill and Red Hill and extends off towards Mount Bimberi the Australian Capital Territory's highest mountain. The water axis runs at right angles to the land axis along the length of Lake Burley Griffin.

The southern shore of the lake bi-sects the Parliamentary Triangle forming a smaller triangle known as the Parliamentary Zone. The Parliamentary Zone contains almost all of the significant buildings located within the Parliamentary Triangle.

Consistent with Walter Burley Griffin’s Garden City design, the Parliamentary Triangle is characterised by streets lined with large deciduous trees, and buildings set in expanses of grassed parkland. Consequently it has a very open feel and buildings are located several minutes walk away from one another. It was Griffin's original intention for more grand government buildings to be located within the precinct, however these have not eventuated as yet.

Development within the Parliamentary triangle is strictly controlled by the National Capital Authority – an agency of the Commonwealth Government within the Department of Transport and Regional Services.

Significant buildings and monuments

The area covered by the Parliamentary Triangle corresponds largely with the suburb of Parkes. Parliament House and Old Parliament House are the most significant features within the triangle. Other buildings significant to the design and symmetry of the triangle are the High Court and the National Gallery, located near the lake, forward of Old Parliament house and to the east, and the National Library and the National Science and Technology Centre (or Questacon) located forward of Old Parliament House and to the west. Commonwealth Place is located at the centre of the lakeshore and Commonwealth Park and Kings Park line the opposite shore of the lake. Other significant buildings within the precinct include the Department of the Treasury, the John Gorton Building which houses the Department of Finance and Administration and the Department of the Environment and Water Resources. The National Rose Garden is located beside old Parliament House and the Aboriginal Tent Embassy is located in front of it. Reconciliation Place, a monument to reconciliation between Australia’s Indigenous people and the settler population is located near the High Court. The National Archives and ‘West Block’ - old departmental offices – are located behind the Old Parliament House near Kings Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue respectively. Other government departments, such as the Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet are located in the suburb of Barton nearby.

Connection with Washington, D.C.

There are similarities with the design of Canberra and that of Washington, D.C. Both consist of Parliamentary Triangles that link up the House of Government with other monuments and important places.

Restaurants and recreation

The Parliamentary Triangle has several dining and recreational facilities which cater to the large number of departmental employees, tourists and Canberra locals. Cafes are located in the National Gallery and National Library. ‘The Lobby’ located near Old Parliament House and the ‘Café in the House’ located within it, are restaurants popular with public servants. The Café in the House has recently developed into a trendy bar popular with younger public servants on Friday evenings. The ‘Waters Edge’ is a restaurant located in Commonwealth Place.

External reference

* [http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/pa1974120/s3.html Parliament Act 1974]
* [http://www.urbanservices.act.gov.au/parksforestsfac/parkslakesponds/cityhill.html City Hill - Urban Services]
* [http://www.nationalcapital.gov.au/understanding/history/10_the_national_cap_expands.asp The National Capital Expands - NCA]
* [http://downloads.nationalcapital.gov.au/events/PDF/Venue_Information_Sheet_Parliamentary_Zone.pdf Parliamentary Zone Info Sheet]