Tracks and trees tell of old trains that rattled through our city

Released 02/03/2017

Half covered railway tracks near Kingston Foreshore apartment blocks and a graceful avenue of trees at the back of the Reid CIT are telltale signs of Canberra’s railway past which the Heritage Council has recognised with provisional registration.

“Canberrans would probably assume that Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin’s 1911 winning design for Australia’s capital planned for railways but little is widely known about the temporary rail line built from Kingston to Civic,” David Flannery, Chair of the ACT Heritage Council said.

“The City Railway Remnants at Kingston and Reid are the only remaining evidence of the railway system planned for Canberra and are an interesting insight into Canberra’s transport past,” Mr Flannery said.

The Heritage Council invites the public to make comments on the provisional registration, which sets out what it is about the place that is important to the ACT and why.

“The nominations reflect the diversity of Canberra’s history, ranging from Aboriginal culture and history to early European settlement through to the formative years of the nation’s capital,” Mr Flannery said.

The Heritage Council also accepted two new nominations from the Australian Institute of Architects:

• The Belconnen Library was nominated as an excellent example of late 20th-century International Style architecture, and because of its association with architect Robin Gibson.
• Urambi Co-operative Housing, Kambah was nominated as an early example of socially responsible, environmentally sensitive housing, as an excellent example of late 20th century Sydney Regional Style architecture, and for its association with architect Michael Dysart.

To see all the Heritage Council nominations and decisions visit www.environment.act.gov.au/heritage

Consultation on the provisional registrations closes at 13 March 2017. Visit yoursay.act.gov.au to comment.

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