ASIO 'monster' to rear its head at public forum

as posted here

BY JOHN THISTLETON

16/10/2009 9:39:00 AM

The National Capital Authority expects ASIO's controversial new headquarters to be a hot topic at its first public forum next month.Labelled a ''monster'' by its critics, the $600million building under construction in Constitution Avenue has angered Campbell residents and raised concerns about being oversized and impeding heritage views of the parliamentary triangle.
Authority chief executive Gary Rake said the NCA had never provided an open forum of this kind before and would be prepared to talk at length about the project.
Australian Institute of Architects ACT president David Flannery said, although surprised that the forum was being held, his members were keen to engage with the authority about Canberra's strategic planning future and the recommendations of last year's inquiry into the agency's role.
The Walter Burley Griffin Society, a harsh critic of a lack of consultation on significant developments, said the forum was a good move.
Spokesman Brett Odgers said Mr Rake was more open to the public than previous authority managers and Canberrans expected regular consultation.
Mr Rake said the forum to be held at Parliament House on November 26 at 6pm was aimed at open interaction on issues of local and national concern for the authority.
''I would expect one of the hottest topics and one that I am more than happy to embrace and talk about as much as I can is the new ASIO building,'' he said.
''It's the perfect example of a site on national land, which when we consider the national interest, national land in the parliamentary triangle is the appropriate place for buildings to house the functions of government.''
He said he suspected many Canberrans saw the agency from a local planning perspective.
''However, our major function is more symbolic and it's about ensuring the uniqueness of Australia is reflected in its national capital, our national capital.''

as posted here