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Territories & national capitalStatutory authority

National Capital Development Commission

NCDC

1 March 1958 – 1989

Statutory commission that planned, designed and built Canberra as the national capital, including Lake Burley Griffin, new towns and much of the city's infrastructure and public buildings.

How it came into existence

Established on 1 March 1958 under the National Capital Development Commission Act 1957, with John Overall as first commissioner, replacing the National Capital Planning and Development Committee. It took over the planning and development of Canberra from the Department of the Interior.

Legislation: National Capital Development Commission Act 1957

Changes during its life

  1. 17 October 1964Lake Burley Griffin, built under the Commission, was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Robert Menzies.
  2. 19 December 1972Moved with the administration of the ACT from the Department of the Interior to the new Department of the Capital Territory.
  3. 11 March 1983Moved to the Department of Territories and Local Government.
  4. 13 December 1984Moved to the Department of Territories.
  5. 24 July 1987Moved to the Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories.

How it ended

Abolished in 1989 with the move to ACT self-government. Its national planning role passed to the new National Capital Planning Authority, and most of its other functions and staff went to the Australian Capital Territory Government.

Main functions

  • Planning of Canberra as the national capital
  • Design and construction of city infrastructure and public buildings
  • Development of new towns (Woden, Belconnen, Tuggeranong, Gungahlin)
  • Creation of Lake Burley Griffin
  • Land development and landscape planning

Where it sits

Last in the portfolio of Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories.

Lineage

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Sources

Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.