National Capital ExhibitionSection 125 of the Australian Constitution provided for a National Capital. In 1902, members of the Federal Parliament began inspections of possible sites. Factors influencing the choice of site included: good permanent water, pleasant outlook, an existing lake or possibility of one, flat land (because it would be cheaper to build on) and a large area for military manoeuvres. The site also had to be inland, to reduce the risk of attack on the National Capital from foreign invaders approaching from the sea. In total, 35 sites in New South Wales were considered, and in 1908 the Federal Parliament passed The Seat of Government Act that declared the capital of Australia would be situated in the Yass-Canberra district, where Canberra is today.
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Use your Location, Location map and find the perfect site for Australia’s National Capital.
You must follow this set of rules to locate the ideal position ■ at least 100 miles from the ocean ■ at least 100 miles from any major city ■ good permanent water supply ■ pleasant outlooks from nearby hills ■ existing lake, or possibility of creating one by damming a creek ■ flat land ■ a large area for military manoeuvres ■ nearby forests for harvesting wood ■ limestone deposits for construction ■ nearby crude oil deposits ■ a blustery area for wind farms ■ cool climate Draw on your map ■ a city ■ a wind farm ■ an area for the military ■ a saw mill to harvest the forest ■ a cement works to collect limestone |
All of this information and resources have come from the National Capital Authority Education Portal.