Crossing the iconic Lake Burley Griffin, Commonwealth Avenue Bridge forms a key gateway linking Canberra’s north with its Parliamentary Zone.
GML undertook research into community-held aesthetic and social heritage values of this mid-century designed bridge, on behalf of the ACT Government and National Capital Authority, and then on the engineering heritage values of the bridge.
Although Commonwealth Avenue Bridge is not individually heritage listed, it forms part of the wider heritage listing of Lake Burley Griffin as well as other listings within the Central National Area of Canberra. Commonwealth Avenue also forms one side of the Parliamentary Triangle.
In-depth community engagement formed an important part of GML’s research into the bridge’s social values, working with special advisers Chris Johnston and Dr Steve Brown. The project involved an online survey among Canberra residents, visitors and special interest groups as well as targeted focus groups for deeper qualitative data.
The recent popularity of the bridge in landscape photography, social media hashtags, and even as a backdrop for a book cover and television series have made Commonwealth Avenue Bridge something of a Canberra icon of late. [Source: https://www.gml.com.au/projects/commonwealth-avenue-bridge/]
The heritage assessment concluded found that the Bridge is historically significant and valued for its long slender spans and a smooth-lined and uncluttered design approach. The current Bridge Renewal project will have regard for preserving the historical significance of the Bridge. (Source: https://www.nca.gov.au/environment/projects/current-projects/commonwealth-avenue-bridge-renewal-project-updates)