AWM expansion gets environmental green light

The Australian War Memorial’s development project has been approved under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999.

FILE IMAGE: Artist’s impression of the Australian War Memorial expansion. AWM image.

Australian War Memorial Director Matt Anderson said he welcomed the outcome, which followed amendments and undertakings the Memorial made through public consultation, as one of the first of three major approval processes required to progress the proposed development.

“The expansion of our galleries will allow the Memorial to honour the commitment of the 100,000 Australians who have served our country over the past 30 years,” Mr Anderson said.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said the AWM’s expansion plans were on track to ensure the stories of service from the current generation of veterans would be told at Australia’s iconic memorial institution.

“The Australian War Memorial holds a sacred place in the hearts of Australians and we must ensure that those from contemporary conflicts have their stories told — in peacekeeping and operational conflicts including East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan,” Mr Chester said.

“It is important that veterans today can take their families, their children or loved ones to the Memorial and see their story.

“By expanding the Memorial we can tell these stories and continue to have a positive impact on the lives of our contemporary veterans.”

Following consultation with the ex-service community, the Memorial will ensure that future construction work tenders will have a scored criteria for not just veterans’ employment, but also employment and opportunity for veterans and Defence family members and their businesses.

The proposal for the development project is currently being considered by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works.

If approved, it will then be considered by the National Capital Authority.

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