Risks to the Commonwealth Heritage Values of the Parliament House Vista

The Parliament House Vista is at the heart of Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin's design of Canberra and is also the physical manifestation of Australian democratic values. The National Capital Authority (NCA), the custodians of this significant place, face pressing challenges in protecting its Commonwealth Heritage Values. This tour will highlight the significance of the Parliament House Vista (PHV) by pointing out some important elements along the way and also analyse three risks to the heritage values of the place including the:1.     Future stages of the ACT Government's Light Rail project which plans to travel through the Parliamentary Zone and terminate in Woden Valley; 2.     Decline of the treescape due to development and climate change; and3.     Increased activation and use of the public spaces within the PHV.