Importance Of Site

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30405, 2 April 1964, Page 1

Importance Of Site

The site of the new building was of considerable historical importance, having been chosen by Colonel Wakefield for his home soon after his arrival with the earliest pioneers, said a statement handed out at the press conference.

It is at present occupied by the two-storied wooden structure built in 1871 as a Vice-regal residence, replacing Wakefield’s house.

After the destruction of the old Parliament Buildings by fire in 1907, the residence was taken over as a temporary building for Parliament. It had since been altered and extended.

The elevated site overlooks the open area of Bunny street and. the railway station forecourt, and faces the Government area now extending from Lambton quay to the new Anglican Cathedral. Broadcasting House and the Bowen State buildings are to the rear.

The departmental building under construction in Aitken street and the printing office in Mulgrave street are two new structures that will form part of an extensive government centre of which the new Parliamentary building would be the central and commanding feature. Demolition The wooden structure, which would be demolished, now contains four ministerial suites, rooms for a number of private members, the social hall, Bellamy’s, and the offices of the law draftsman and his staff.

It adjoins the main legislative building containing the Chamber of the House of Representatives and the former Legislative Council, ministerial suites, several committee rooms, members’ lounge, the Speakers apartment and offices, the Executive Council room, the cabinet room, the offices of the Legislative Department, the press rooms and Hansard reporting service.

Early in the war, temporary additions were made to accommodate the Prime Minister, his department and the External Affairs Department Several Parliamentary committee rooms and rooms for members are also contained in the General Assembly Library building and its extensions.

The office of the Leader of the Opposition is at present in this building. The new building would complement the main legislative building and also pro- ♦

vide office accommodation for ministers, the Prime Minister’s Department and the Law Drafting Office. It would house several of the facilities which at present are in the wooden building and in the annexes built on to it in light construction during the war. Social Halls The social halls for state occasions and the dining rooms (for ministers, members and staff), lounges and bars would be accommodated in the circular hall and the ground floor podium. The ground floor would also house the Law Drafting Office and such other general facilities as may be decided upon, for example, a radio and television interview room.

The basement would provide car parking space and the machinery for heating and ventilation services, etc. Ministerial offices, the Cabinet room and the Prime Minister’s department would be

in the upper floors of the new building which would be served by central lifts and other services. Ministerial offices in the new building would enable all private members to have rooms in the legislative building. It would also be possible to provide better rooms and facilities in this building for the select committees of the House and to make improvements in the accommodation of the press gallery and the Parliamentary reporting staff. Great Strength

The new structure would be of great strength and would be built basically of reinforced concrete. The podium would be sheathed in granite slabs and the circular hall and tower would be faced with marble.

The design would avoid the very considerable technical problems which would arise if an endeavour was made to match the elaborate mouldings of the existing building.