Christie L. Waite
Typescript in Australian Archives, ACT, Series CP 487/6/1, Item 1.
No information
about Waite has been found except that he gave his address as Castleford,
Yorkshire in England
.
The scheme embodies the laying out of roads, parks, gardens, etc. covering the specified site, and makes provision for the development, in order to ensure a unity of design, over and above the requirements for the 25,000 population stipulated in the Conditions issued.
The chief thoroughfares are designed 125 feet wide, and consist of causeway 20 feet wide on either side, 10 feet being reserved for gardens, grass plots, or trees. From either side of these grass plots there is a main road 69 feet 9 inches wide; a width of 14 feet 3 inches being reserved, in the centre of the road, as a tram-car route.
A beautiful and almost inclusive drive has been designed in the form of an ellipse, which readily adapts itself to the varying conditions of the site, as far as practicable following the lines of contour. On the S. it embraces the chief residential suburbs and on the S.W. it sweeps through the centre of similar districts. On the N.W. the route travels to the foot of the Black Mountains, making them easy of access for pleasure parties. At this point the line of route is so laid out as to follow the contours with the exception of a short distance, which in itself will provide a magnificent view of the city.
Having regard to the conditions respecting the regulation of the flow of this river, it is intended to form a rural and pleasurable promenade with ornamental waters, gardens, etc. at Artistic intervals. By virtue also of the above regulations of the river, provision would be made for boating and water carnivals, etc. at least at three centres along the river bank. By the erection of Dam walls, provision would be made for the reclamation of a large stretch of country for building purposes, and give assurance against all liability to flood.
Department of the Prime Minister,
Department of External affairs,
The Attorney Generals Department,
The Department of Home Affairs,
Department of the Treasury,
Department of Trade and Customs,
Department of Defense,
The Post-Master General's Department.
The above sites are all blacked in on plans and referenced:-
From the centre circular road to the S. and approached by a Colonnade,
provision is made for a public park leading up to Mt. Kurrajong, the top
of which would be most suitable for some civic or National Memorial.
To the S.E. ample area is reserved for the passenger railway station, which would be in close proximity to the Parliamentary buildings and business premises, and yet sufficiently distant to avoid undue noise.
Beyond the station to the E. is the site for the electric power station and car accommodation sheds.
Branching from the W. and E. to this centre is Parliament Road, a road 125 feet wide suitable for the erection of shops, offices, and business premises. Along the whole of these business centres it is proposed to erect a verandah, as a shield and shelter from sun and rain.
The National Theatre, University, Museum, and Post office are all grouped around the Parliamentary centre.
On the N. and N.E. to artisans dwellings, etc.
On the N.W. to the railway goods depot and the Government factories, workshops, warehouses etc. These sites have been specially selected in order that the smoke and fumes may be carried away from the city by the prevailing winds, westerly and southerly, and also to be near the railway.
Surrounding the Town centre, provision is made for the chief Administrative Buildings, Courts of Justice, Police Station, Technical College, etc.
With respect to the coupling up of these centres, details have been prepared for the bridges, roads, ornamental waters, etc. The bridge would be executed in the best quality of granite obtainable on the site. The bridge is 250 feet, on either side of which 50 feet is reserved for shop premises, the sites and method of laying out of same are shewn on quarter detailed. Between each block of shop premises open spaces are reserved, with a projecting circular colonnade covered with dome, in order that a good view of the river, parks, etc. may be obtained. Details of the shop planning have purposely been ommitted, as these would be so arranged to meet with the requirements of the Business people.
At the intersection of all main roads circular sites have been arranged, some of which are utilized for the erection of the Places of Worship, the remainder it is intended for gardens etc. These would add to the beauty of the whole of the city.
by dealing with the roads in the above manner, you have an effectual method of relieving the eye from the perpetual confusion of traffic, and at once produce a unique and picturesque effect.
With regard to the construction of the road surface, materials found on the site would be used as far as possible.
A tract of 100 feet wide has been provided for throughout the whole of the city, in order to make adequate provision for any further extensions should the necessity arise.
The approahces to the above are of such dimensions as to avoid congestion of traffic.
Proper sidings could easily be provided to the factories etc.
The Sewer[s] are to be constructed of ferro-concrete and carried by the pumping station situated 3,977 yards from the S.W. Corner of site and pumped to a level suitable for the delivery at the Sewage treatment works by gravitation.
| Selected, scanned, edited, provided with headnotes, and formatted as a web document by John W. Reps, Professor Emeritus, Department of City and Regional Planning, West Sibley Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA. Tel: (607) 255-5391, Fax: (607) 255-6681, E-mail: jwr2@cornell.edu |