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Heritage Register

Communications Centre, John Gorton Building, Parkes, ACT

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Finance ID Number

/ DFD-61008

Commonwealth Heritage List Place ID Number

/ 105618

Ownership

/ Owned by Finance on behalf of the Commonwealth / The Communication Centre also known as the ‘The Bunker’ is located in the sub floor level of the John Gorton Building, Source: 2002.
Australian Heritage Photographic Library. Department of Environment.
Barcode number: dig008370

Location

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The Communications Centre is located in the lower ground level of the John Gorton Building which is located on the corner of Kind Edward Terrace and Parkes Place, Parkes, ACT.

Landscape Setting

The Communications centre is located in the sub floor level of the John Gorton Building, which forms part of the Parliament House Vista. / The Communications Centre is not visible from ground level, but is located within the significant Parliamentary Triangle. Source:
Australian Heritage Photo Library, 1998.
Barcode number: rt76869

Description of the Place

The Communications Centre is a secure, underground Commonwealth Administrative complex located at King Edward Terrace, Canberra ACT. The property is located in the suburb of Parkes, three kilometres south of the Canberra City Centre. Parkes is a suburb of Canberra, featuring residential and commercial development.
The Communications Centre lies within the Parliamentary Triangle, Canberra’s ceremonial precinct featuring some of Australia’s most culturally significant buildings. These buildings include Parliament House, Old Parliament House, Defence Headquarters, Treasury Building, National Library and High Court of Australia.
The complex lies underground adjacent to the John Gorton building, beneath the southern entrance forecourt area and the southern car park area.
Physical Description
The office space was unused from when it was vacated in 1996. The computer and furniture were removed but most of the interior art works and decorative features were left in place. The two Hans Dorbecker wool wall hangings "Sunset Sunrise" and "Moon on Water" were thrown out, the clock wall was removed to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Marika ceramic mural is now at the entrance to the new DFAT Communications area. The 'luxaflex' ceiling leaves in the foyer and corridors remained intact. Features of the foyer, including the ceiling, the spiral ramp, and the chrome rails and columns remain.
Plans for refurbishment and reuse for office accommodation were developed in 2001, by (the then) Environment Australia for use by the Australian Greenhouse Office. Design and documentation commenced late 2001. Daryl Jackson Alistair Swain Architects developed schematic designs. The redevelopment proposal involved retaining the main foyer and five of the art works commissioned in the 1970s.
The mural by Johnny BulunBulun has been restored and the artist contacted in 2001 to provide an interpretation of the work.
The dense slab was punctured late 2002, to provide six skylights and four sunken gardens to improve the amenity qualities for the new proposed office use.
Although a small selection of art work is being retained in the refurbished office complex, other examples of the purpose-commissioned works that remained in the building are placed in storage. Some examples of equipment were retained as display features in the interpretation of the refurbished complex.

History and Summary of Usesof the Place

In 1969, the Department of External Affairs decided to replace manual systems for handling cablegrams operating in Canberra, London and Washington with computer controlled systems. A study determined a 24/7 operation was required, with several locations considered.
An underground office complex was seen an ideal solution, due to the requirement of a computer with special wiring. Restrictions on floor loading meant that existing offices were not sufficient.
The Whitlam Government approved construction of the complex in 1973, work commenced in 1974 and was completed in 1976. The building lies two metres below ground level, features a single access point, radio frequency shielding and emergency power generators to ensure the 24 hour operation could continue in the event of power cuts.
From 1978 to 1996 the site handled all Government cablegrams for transmission to addresses outside Australia either in plain language, code or cipher, as well as all inwards cablegrams for the Australian Government.
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Three graphic panels of computer generated pattern and four panels of diagonal lines, Source: 2002.
Australian Heritage Photographic Library. The Department of Environment.
Barcode number: dig008376 / Green and red arrow graphic panels in corridor and security door, Source: 2002. Australian Heritage Photographic Library. The Department of Environment
Barcode Number: dig008371 / Microscopic fibres, Microchip, Nautilus shell, Carved swirled edge of sofa, Source: 2002 Australian Heritage Photographic Library. The Department of Environment
Barcode number:dig008384

Statutory Heritage Values

/ The Communications Centre is a Commonwealth Heritage place and is protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Commonwealth Heritage List

/

Statement of significance


Black and white flower image on graphic panels in computer room, Source: 2002.
Australian Heritage Photographic Library. The Department ofEnvironment.
Barcode number: dig008374 / The Communications Centre is significant as a rare example of an underground bunker designed to provide a secure environment for the Commonwealth Government's key communication network that functioned as such from 1978 to 1996. It is a rare example of underground building design that exhibited the best environmental provisions of the time for mitigating the sensory effects on staff of a windowless office. The concrete slab of approximately 450mm thick of reinforced high quality concrete is an uncommon technical feature.
The Centre has significance for its association with the nation's 'cold war' activities and the real fear of spying demonstrated by its steel sheathed dense concrete construction designed to obstruct spying on communications, and by the single access point.
The Centre has significant, associated artworks. These include the mural, 'Djakaldjirrparr', an in situ art feature by the well-known artist, Johnny BulunBulun. Other art works, the Night Wall Light display, the Circuit Board montage, two ribbed aluminium art works, and the retained graffiti wall segment are significant as examples of the fifty purpose-designed art works commissioned to combat sensory deprivation
It is important for retaining examples of 1970s style corporate entrance decor in its foyer, incorporating design features of a spiral ramp and, the 'Luxaflex' ceiling and the chrome plated balustrade, banisters and columns, designed to enhance light and movement by reflections.
Criterion A / Gazetted Commonwealth Heritage values
Process

Security door and street sign panels, Source: 2002. Australian Heritage Photographic Library. The Department ofEnvironment.
Barcode number: dig008375 / The Centre has significance for its association with the nation's 'cold war' activities and the real fear of spying demonstrated by its steel sheathed dense concrete construction designed to obstruct spying on communications, and by the single access point.
Criterion B / Gazetted Commonwealth Heritage values
Rarity

Recreation area and view of tree lined corridor, Source: 2002. Australian Heritage Photographic Library. The Department of Environment.
Barcode Number: dig008383 / The Communications Centre is significant as a rare example of an underground bunker designed to provide a secure environment for the Commonwealth Government's key communication network that functioned as such from 1978 to 1996. It is a rare example of underground building design that exhibited the best environmental provisions of the time for mitigating the sensory effects on staff of a windowless office. The concrete slab of approximately 450mm thick of reinforced high quality concrete is an uncommon technical feature.
Criterion F / Gazetted Commonwealth Heritage values
Technical

Close up of three graphic panels of computer generated pattern, Source: 2002.
Australian Heritage Photographic Library
Barcode number: dig008377 / The Centre has associated artworks that are significant for having been commissioned to combat sensory deprivation.
Criterion H / Gazetted Commonwealth Heritage values
Significant People

Close up of BulunBulun mural, Source: 2002.
Australian Heritage Photographic Library
Barcode Number: dig008380 / The Centre includes the mural, 'Djakaldjirrparr', an in-situ work of art by the artist, Johnny BulunBulun.

Non-Statutory Heritage Listings

Register of the National Estate / The Communication Centre was included in the Register of the National Estate in 1987. In February 2012, the RNE became a non-statutory archive.

Property or Information Access Restrictions or Requirements if Any

/ The property is not accessible to the public as it is used to provide secure government office accommodation.

Conservation Documents or References

/ Eric Martin and Associates (2002) John Gorton Offices Basement Foyer: Heritage Significance (report).
Schmaehling & Associates Pty Ltd Architects (1974) Foreign Affairs
Communications Centre Environmental Report. Prepared for the Department of Housing & construction ACT for and on behalf of the National Capital Development Commission.
Monad Design and Visual Graphics. 15 January 1976.
Canberra Times (2001) 'Lifting The Lid on Secret Bunker'. Article in June 21 edition.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2000) "Decommissioning of the communications mainframe". In DFATNEWS Vol 7 No. 9.
Sydney Morning Herald (2001) Legend of the Politicians' great escape plan lives on. Article, Friday 22 June 2001, News 3.
Herald Sun (Melbourne) (2001) Our Cold War nerve centre. Article Friday, 22 June 2001, page 4.
Winter, K (2002) Research for the interpretation of the refurbished building. File notes, Environment Australia. References:
5 November 1970, from KCO Shann, Acting Secretary Dept of External Affairs to the Secretary Department of the Interior) (70 - 1038 pt 1 folios 15-14) (2).
11 October 1972, from Nigel Bowen Minsiter for Foreign Affairs to the Right Hon. BM Sneddon, QC, MP Treasurer) (P23/6/2 pt w folio 58 ) (2).
2 January 1973, letter from Senator JL Cavanagh Minister for Works, to the Hon. EG Whitlam QC, MP Prime Minister ( P23/6/2 pt 2 folio 93) (2).
19 July 1975, BR Monkton Chief Engineer, Overseas Property Group Dept. of Foreign Affairs to Taringa Crafts Australia, 6 Risdon Place Lyons.
17 October 1975, Australia Council, Aboriginal Arts Board, (70-1038 pt10 folio 146).
Environment Australia (2002) Oral History Record. File notes prepared for interpretation of the Communications Centre.

Record Last Updated

/ 30 October 2013.