Redevelopment of Post 1945 Conflicts Galleries and Discovery Room for the Australian War Memorial, Canberra , ACT

The AWM is located at the northern end of Anzac Parade in Campbell, bordered by Fairbairn Avenue, Limestone Avenue and Treloar Crescent.¹

The Memorial’s Post 1945 Conflicts Galleries are located on the lower level of the AWM in the west wing. The Discovery Room is located on the lower level in the east wing.

Purpose

The purpose of the proposed work is the redevelopment of the Memorial’s Post 1945 Conflicts Galleries and Discovery Room, and the upgrade of visitor facilities and some back-of-house areas.

Specifically, it is anticipated that the new galleries will:

• provide over 1,700 square metres of exhibition space in the Memorial’s main building to the same world class standards as the rest of the galleries;²
• allow the display of major iconic objects like the Iroquois helicopter and armoured personnel carrier from Vietnam and other objects (for example part of a Canberra bomber) that could not previously be displayed due to limitation of low ceilings and columns;³ and
• allow display of the HMAS Brisbane bridge.⁴

This work is part of a 10 year plan to maintain the Gallery at best museum practice, reflecting its importance as a unique national institution.

Need

Visitor evaluation surveys have shown that the existing galleries rated low in terms of visitor satisfaction. The current gallery space allows a very limited coverage of operations and experience. Visitor and veteran comments have consistently criticized the inadequacies of the galleries and the presentations, which date back to the 1980s.⁵

A number of important iconic objects relating to the Post 1945 Conflicts cannot be displayed in the current space. These include:

• the HMAS Brisbane bridge ( Vietnam and Gulf War);
• an Iroquois helicopter ( Vietnam); and
• an armoured personnel carrier ( Vietnam, Somalia, and East Timor).⁶

Over 110,000 school students visit the Australian War Memorial annually. The current Discovery Room is less than 100 square metres and can only accommodate 20 students per session.⁷

Scope

The proposed refurbishment work will comprise a total area of approximately 2,500 square metres gross floor area and will include:

• Post 1945 Galleries (1,300 square meters);
• Discovery Room (320 square meters);
• schools orientation (200 square meters);
• visitor services offices (50 square meters);
• staff and back-of-house facilities (200 square meters);
• new compactus storage area (320 square meters);
• new public toilets (65 square meters);
• new plant rooms (140 square meters);

The new Discovery Room will be more than double the current size and will allow 60 students every 40 minutes to explore and interact with the different immersive environments planned.⁸

Project Delivery

It is proposed that the works will be delivered under a lump-sum contract. Subject to Parliamentary approval, tenders will be called in April 2006. Construction of primary works is scheduled for completion by the end of December 2006.

Gallery fit-out works will begin in January 2007, with the galleries ready to open to visitors by the end of October 2007.⁹

Cost

The estimated cost of the project is $17.8 million.¹⁰ This figure includes:

• escalation costs;
• contingencies; and
• all professional fees and authorities charges.

It does not include GST, relocation costs, staffing costs, and stakeholder consultation costs professional design and management.¹¹

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