Page 519 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 19 February 2020
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In conclusion, in the Greens’ view the best way to acknowledge the Griffins’ legacy is to make sure that it has heritage protection through the national heritage list. National heritage listing has strong support from the community, including planners, architects and heritage groups, including the National Trust. Such a listing can be done in a way that allows our city to continue to meet the community’s need for housing, transport and transition to a low or preferably zero carbon future. I call upon members to support my amendment and the original motion.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for Advanced Technology and Space Industries, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (4.09): As a proud Canberran born and bred, it has been my privilege to have heritage in my portfolio. It has come to my attention that the gravesite in Lucknow of Walter Burley Griffin is in a sadly neglected state. This has led me to reflect on the stature of this man and his wife, Marion Mahony Griffin, and how they are inextricably bound to this territory.
Over the last 108 years, Walter and Marion Mahony Griffin have endured as a central part of Canberra’s fascinating history and heritage. Their story is an important part of our story. This motion is fourfold and, firstly, is to recognise the significant impact this couple had on Canberra. As tourism numbers build up again after a difficult summer, and for those showing off our city to visiting friends and family, as I do, Mount Ainslie is an essential destination. From this view we can best appreciate the results of the design competition that they won in 1912, shaping it into the modern and unique city we know today.
Walter came out in 1913 to take up the post of federal capital director of design and construction. After briefly returning to the US in May 1914, both Marion and Walter arrived here. Over the 20-odd years of their stay, both developed a close relationship with the environment of their new home, so utterly different from what they were accustomed to in distant Illinois. Walter found the brown landscape, gums aplenty, compelling. Marion was overwhelmed by our flora.
On 22 January 2020 a fire started in the commonwealth-listed Pialligo redwood forest. This is the largest stand of mature redwood species in our nation and was born out of Griffin’s vision for nature to be entwined in Canberra’s design—a city set into the landscape. A recent visit confirmed that unfortunately about 40 redwoods were burnt on the eastern side. Griffin argued with Charles Weston about planting 120,000 of these redwoods. The horticulturist responsible for the capital’s afforestation advised that they were ill suited to our dry climate but was ignored.
This was to be a sign of things to come, with his ideals coming into constant conflict, leading Walter to be dismissed from his post. Prior to leaving, he designed Canberra’s garbage incinerator, and the grave for General Bridges on Mount Pleasant at Duntroon. He went on to design Castlecrag in Sydney, Leeton and Griffith in our Riverina district, plus numerous other buildings in Australia.
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