Series ACT30 - Australian Capital Territory Lease Files - Canberra Central District

Identity area

Reference code

ACT30

Title

Australian Capital Territory Lease Files - Canberra Central District

Date(s)

  • 1922 - 2000 (Accumulation)

Level of description

Series

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Paper files and documents

Context area

Name of creator

(1 January 1970 - 31 December 1975)

Administrative history

The Land Administration Branch was located in a number of divisions within the Department of the Interior. In May 1972 there was a major re-organisation within the Department, which resulted in the policy function of the Branch being diverted to a newly created Land Policy Branch. Both Branches also moved to the control of the newly created ACT Lands and Transport Policy Division, which has been retained within the structure of the Department of the Capital Territory, the principal successor to the Department of the Interior (II). Functions of the Branch include:
analysis, transfer and processes; National Memorials Committee; administration of various leasing systems; representations from lessees; change of purpose of leasing; Commonwealth fencing; land sales; lease grants to clubs; lease of Commonwealth owned premises, sub-divisions etc.

Name of creator

(19 December 1972 - 11 March 1983)

Administrative history

The Department was created by the Executive Council on 19 December 1972 (Public Service Board Minute 47 of 19 December 1972 notified in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No 129, 19 December 1972). At its creation the Department of the Capital Territory wasresponsible for the administration of the Australian CapitalTerritory, the Jervis Bay Territory, Norfolk Island and the Coral Sea Islands Territory.

In a press release issued on 19 December 1972, it was stated that Labor Government policy desired that a single department should be identified with the administration of Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory. However two major administrative functions, city planning and the ACT police force were transferred from the Department of the Interior [II] (CA 31), the previous administrative agency, to other Departments -
Police Forces of the Australian Capital Territory went to the Attorney-General's Department (CA 5) and
National Capital Development Commission went to the Department of Urban and Regional Development (CA 1493).

Two other functions, education and health in the ACT remained outside the control of the Department of the Capital Territory.

The Department of the Capital Territory administered the following legislation at its creation:

Australian Capital Territory Electricity Supply Act 1962-1966
Coral Sea Islands Act 1969
Jervis Bay Territory Acceptance Act 1915-1955
Norfolk Island Act 1957-1969
Norfolk Island Ordinances Act 1957
Removal of Prisoners (Territories) Act 1923-1968 in relation to
prisoners sentenced in Norfolk Island
Seat of Government Acceptance Acts
Seat of Government Act 1908-1955
Seat of Government (Administraton) Acts

On 22 December 1975 a number of functions and acts relating to Norfolk Island and the Coral Sea Islands Territory were transferred from the Department of the Capital Territory to the Department of
Administrative Services [II] (CA 1964). In 1975, responsibility for the ACT police was passed from the Department of Police and Customs (CA 1862) to the Management Services Division of the Department of the Capital Territory, and responsiblity for the NCDC was inherited from the Department of Urban and Regional Department (CA 1493).

In the same year, the National Fitness function was transferred from the Department of Health, where it had been administered by the ACT Health Services Branch (CA 1305), to the Department. A Physical Recreation Sub-section was established within the Recreation Section, Recreation and Tourism Branch, City Manager's Office to plan, develop and conduct physical recreation activity programs for the ACT including those formerly administered under the National Fitness Act.

In 1976, the Department of the Capital Territory inherited the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages and Land Titles from the Department of Business and Consumer Affairs (CA 1951).

In 1977, the Department of the Capital Territory transmitted
responsibility for the Ministerial/Passenger Fleet of Commonwealth Cars to the Department of Administrative Services [II] (CA 1964). This transfer resulted from a government decision to establish a central transport authority to co-ordinate the use of Commonwealth cars throughout Australia. In 1981, the Department of the Capital Territory inherited responsibility for the Parliament Act 1974 from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (CA 1401).

By 1980, the Department of the Capital Territory consisted of a City Manager's Office, and four Divisions: Legislation and Policy
Co-ordination, Lands, Transport and Housing and Management Services.
The City Manager's Office looked after city parks, gardens and sports-grounds, social controls, sanitation and waste disposal services, industrial safety, emergency services, rates, commercial practices, consumer protection, price and rent control, marketing, recreation, tourism, welfare services and welfare policy.

The Legislation and Policy Co-ordination Division attended to legislation, law reform, constitutional development, messages from the Minister for the Capital Territory to the ACT House of Assembly, liaison with the Minister's office, co-operative societies, agents, rating, taxing and budgetary policy, ACT planning and the cost implications of development, policy for land charging, the
implications of planning activities, the strategy for Canberra's growth, land titles and the registraton of births, deaths and marriages.

The Lands Division formulated land policies and managed land in the Australian Capital Territory and the Jervis Bay Territory. The Division managed and developed forest areas and conducted
conservation and agricultural services. In addition to the usual functions, the Management Services Division administered the Jervis Bay Territory.

The Transport and Housing Division managed public transport, motor traffic, motor vehicle registries, vehicle parking, government-owned housing (including sales and finance). It also formulated Transport and Traffic policy and government housing policy in relation to the Australian Capital Territory.

In September 1981, the Department rationalised its structure and operations by re-organising some of its functions. The housing branch was transferred to the City Manager's Office from the transport and housing division and the technical services branch (including the fuel control function) was transferred from the City Manger's Office to the transport and housing division. This division was renamed the transport and technical services division.

Under The Administrative Arrangements of 23 December 1981 the Department became responsible for the following new enactments:

Australian Capital Territory and Liquor Authority Act 1981
Commonwealth Functions (Statistics Review) Act 1981, Part II.

On 11 March 1983 the Department of the Capital Territory was renamed the Department of Territories and Local Government (CA 3499)
(Commonwealth Gazette, No S45 11 March 1983). The new Department took over the administration of the Territories from the Department of Home Affairs an Environment (CA 3068).

Ministers responsible for the Department of the Capital Territory were:

19 Oct 1972 - 9 Oct 1973 : Hon Keppel Earl Enderby
9 Oct 1973 - 18 Dec 1975 : Hon Gordon Munro Bryant (CP 106)
18 Dec 1975 - 16 Feb 1976 : Hon Eric Robinson
16 Feb 1976 - 19 Dec 1977 : Hon Anthony Staley (CP 233)
19 Dec 1977 - 3 Nov 1980 : Hon Robert Ellicott (CP 134)
3 Nov 1980 - 11 Mar 1983 : Hon William Michael Hodgman (CP 155)

Secretaries of the Department of the Capital Territory were:

20 Dec 1972 - 9 Jan 1973 : G GH W Smith (CP 319)
9 Jan 1973 - 19 Aug 1977 : L W B Engledow
19 Aug 1977 - 10 Aug 1981 : L Daniels
10 Aug 1981 - 11 Mar 1983 : A Blunn

Sources

  1. Commonwealth Gazette, No 129A, 19 December 1972, p 1
  2. Commonwealth Gazette, No 131, December 1972, p 3
  3. Commonwealth Government Directory 1980, p 89

Historical agency address
Electricity House, London Circuit, Canberra City

Legislation administered
Creation: Executive Council Meeting No. (Public Service Board Minute No. 47) of 19 Dec. 1972

Abolition: Executive Council Meeting No. of 11 Mar 1983

Name of creator

(11 March 1983 - 13 December 1984)

Administrative history

The Department of Territories and Local Government was created on 11 March 1983 by a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (notified in Commonwealth Gazette, No S45, 11 March 1983). In his Press Statement of 10 March 1983 the Prime Minister Designate (the Hon R J Hawke) stated that the Department of the Capital Territory (CA 1477) had been renamed the Department of Territories and Local Government in view of significant changes of functions. The Government had decided that:

"the Territories and important local government responsibilities of
the Commonwealth would be located with the Department of the
Capital Territory, as a department of Territories and Local
Government. With our commitment towards self government in the ACT,
a department solely with Capital Territory responsibilities no
longer seems warranted."

The Administrative Arrangements Orders of 11 March 1983 (notified in Commonwealth Gazette, No S46, 11 March 1983) stated that the new Department dealt with the following 'principal matters':

. Administration of the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay
Territory, the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Territory
of Christmas Island, the Coral Seas Islands Territory and the
Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands and of Commonwealth
responsibilities on Norfolk Island
. Constitutional development of the Northern Territory of Australia
. Matters relating to local government.

The new Department inherited responsibility for the administration of the Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory from the former Department of the Capital Territory (CA 1477) and the function of local government from the Department of National Development and Energy (CA 2979). The other principal matters in the above list were received from the Department of Home Affairs and Environment (CA 3068).

The same Administrative Arrangements Orders stated that the Minister for Territories and Local Government was responsible for the
administration of the following legislation:

. Ashmore and Cartier Islands Acceptance Act 1933
. Australian Capital Territory Electricity Supply Act 1962
. Australian Capital Territory Gaming and Liquor Authority Act 1981
. Australian Federal Police Act 1979, section 69
. Canberra Water Supply (Googong Dam) Act 1974
. Christmas Island Agreement Acts
. Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955
. Commonwealth Functions (Statutes Review) Act 1981, Part II
. Coral Sea Islands Act 1969
. Darwin Lands Acquisition Act 1945
. Jervis Bay Territory Acceptance Act 1915
. National Capital Development Commission Act 1957
. Norfolk Island Act 1979
. Northern Territory Acceptance Act 1910
. Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978, except section 69
and 70
. Parliament Act 1974
. Parliament House Construction Authority Act 1979
. Removal of Prisoners (Territories) Act 1923, insofar as it relates
relates to the Northern Territory of Australia (except to the
extent administered by the Attorney-General) and to Norfolk
Island, the Territory of Cocos, Keeling) Islands, the Territory of
Christmas Island, the Coral Sea Islands Territory and the
Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
. Seat of Government Acceptance Acts
. Seat of Government Act 1908
. Seat of Government (Administration) Acts.

The Acts were received from the Department of the Capital Territory with the exception of the Christmas Island Agreement Acts which were gained from the Department of Administrative Services [II] (CA 1964) and the following legislation inherited from the Department of Home Affairs and Environment:

. Ashmore and Cartier Islands Acceptance Act 1933
. Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955
. Coral Seas Islands Act 1969
. Darwin Lands Acquisition Act 1945
. Norfolk Island act 1979
. Northern Territory Acceptance Act 1910
. Northern Territory (Self Government) Act 1978 except sections 69
and 70
. Removal of Prisoners (Territories) Act 1923, insofar as it relates
to the Northern Territory of Australia (except to the extent
administered by the Attorney-General) and to Norfolk Island, the
Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Territory of Christmas
Island, the Coral Sea Islands Territory and the Territory of
Ashmore and Cartier Islands.

In the Administrative Arrangements Orders of 1 July 1983 the
Department of Territories and Local Government received
responsibility for the Local Government (Personal Income Tax Sharing) Act 1976 from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (CA 1401).

In the changes of 1984, the Department inherited responsibility for administration of the part of the Urban and Regional Development (Financial Assistance) Act 1974 relating to local government which was previously administered by the Department of Industry and Commerce [II] (CA 3256). The Australian Capital Territory Gaming and Liquor Authority Act 1981 does not appear in the Administrative Arrangements Orders of 1 July 1984 as it was only a temporary legislation.

In the 1983 edition of the Commonwealth Directory, the Department of Territories and Local Government is described as consisting of the following divisions:

. Community Services
. Lands
. Management Services
. Policy and Program Co-ordination
. Territories
. Traffic and Transport.

The Administrative Arrangements Orders of 13 December 1984 (notified in Commonwealth Gazette, No S520, 13 December 1984) stated that the Department of Territories and Local Government (CA 3499) would be renamed the Department of Territories [II] (CA 4135).

Matters dealt with by the Department of Territories and Local Government passed to the Department of Territories [II] (CA 4135) and the Department of Local Government and Administrative Services (CA 4137).

The Department of Territories [II] inherited all the functions of the Department of Territories and Local Government except for
responsiblity for matters relating to local government and
administration of the following acts:

. The Local Government (Personal Income Tax Sharing) Act 1976;
. Urban and Regional Development (Financial Assistance) Act 1974,
except to the extent administered by the Minister for Arts,
Heritage and Environment.

Minister for the Department was:

11 Mar 1983 - 13 Dec 1984: Hon Thomas Uren.

Secretaries to the Department were:

11 Mar 1983 - 3 May 1983: A S Blunn
24 May 1983 - 13 Dec 1984: J D Enfield
Historical agency address
PO Box 158, Canberra City
Legislation administered
Creation: Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. S45, 11 March 1983
Abolition: Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. S520, 13 December 1984

Name of creator

(13 December 1984 - 24 July 1987)

Administrative history

The Department of Territories [II] was created on 13 December 1984 by Executive Council Minute No PSB 1984/80. The Administrative Arrangements Orders of 13 December 1984 (notified in Commonwealth Gazette, No S521, 13 December 1984) stated that the new Department dealt with the following principal matters:

. Administration of the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay
Territory, the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Territory
of Christmas Island, the Coral Sea Islands Territory and the
Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands and of Commonwealth
responsibilities on Norfolk Island.
. Constitutional development of the Northern Territory of Australia.
The new Department inherited all these functions and the
responsibility for the administration of the following legislation (outlined in Administrative Arrangements Orders of 13 December 1984) from the former Department of Territories and Local Government (CA 3499):

. Ashmore and Cartier Island Acceptance Act 1933
. Australian Capital Territory Electricity Supply Act 1962
. Australian Capital Territory Gaming and Liquor Authority Act 1981
. Australian Federal Policy Act 1979 (section 69)
. Canberra Water Supply (Googong Dam) Act 1974
. Christmas Island Act 1958
. Christmas Island Agreement Acts
. Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955
. Commonwealth Functions (Statutes Review) Act 1981 Part II
. Coral Sea Islands Act 1969
. Darwin Lands Acquisition Act 1945
. Jervis Bay Territory Acceptance Act 1915
. National Capital Development Commission Act 1957
. Norfolk Island Act 1979
. Northern Territory Acceptance Act 1910
. Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 except sections 69
and 70
. Parliament Act 1974
. Parliament House Construction Authority Act 1979
. Removal of Prisoners (Territories) Act 1923, insofar as it relates
to the Northern Territory of Australia (except to the extent
administered by the Attorney-General) and to Norfolk Island, the
Territories of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Territory of Christmas
Islands, the Coral Sea Islands Territory and of Ashmore and Cartier
Islands
. Seat of Government Acceptance Acts
. Seat of Government Act 1908
. Seat of Government (Administration) Act.

On 2 December 1985 the Minister for Territories announced the Government's intention to combine most ACT administrative functions within a single portfolio. The Prime Minister's Press Release of 12 December, describing that administrative change, stated that:

"The principal functions have been transferred with effect from
today are those relating to territorial health services and the
ACT education system with the exception of post-secondary
education. Certain other territorial functions which were
previously the responsibility of the Minister for Housing and
Construction, Local Government and Administrative Services, Primary
Industry, and the Attorney-General have also been transferred.

"The opportunity has also been taken to transfer from the Minister
for Territories two national functions. These are the Canberra
National Memorials Committee and the National Botanic Gardens which
will now be the responsibility of the Minister for Arts, Heritage
and Environment.

"The Minister for Territories will be responsible for providing a
co-ordinated overview of ACT activities and budgetary processes.
These will be separately reported on an annual basis from 1986/87."
The Press Release stated the Government saw these changes as being a significant step towards the establishment of the ACT Council, which was to operate from 1 January 1987 and was to replace the ACT House of Assembly.

The Administrative Arrangements Orders issued at that time
(Commonwealth Gazette, No S523, 12 December 1985) stated that:

(a) the matters dealt with by the Department of Territories include
Administration of the Australian Capital Territory, including
Territorial health and pre-school, primary and secondary
education;

(b) the enactments administered by the Minister of State for
Education include the Commonwealth Teaching Service Act 1922,
except insofar as it relates to pre-school, primary and secondary
education; and

(c) the enactments administered by the Minister of State for
Territories include the Commonwealth Teaching Service Act 1922
insofar as it relates to pre-school, primary and secondary
education.

The Press Release indicated that the Minister for Territories would receive:

Legal policy responsibility for matters transferred from the Attorney-General and legislative drafting associated with functions to be transferred to the new ACT Council from the Attorney-General.
The Territorial education system (excluding post secondary
education) was to be transferred to Territories [II] from the Education potfolio while the Territorial health system was
transferred from the Department of Health.

The Minister for Housing and Construction transferred
responsibility for operations, repairs and maintenance and design and construction associated with functions to be transferred to the new ACT Council (including water and sewerage services).

Responsibility for accommodation, cleaning, surveying and mapping and vehicle operations for functions to be transferred to the new ACT Council was transferred to Territories [II] from the Minister for Local Government and Administration Services and administration of the Stock Diseases Ordinance 1933 was transferred from the Primary Industry [II] portfolio.

At the same time, responsibility for the National Botanic Gardens and the Canberra National Memorials Committee was transferred from Territories [II] to the Arts, Heritage and Environment portfolio. Details of the December 1985 administrative rearrangements are subject to further research.

In July 1987 the Prime Minister announced a major restructuring of the administration, resulting in the amalgamation of 28 departments into 16 `super-ministeries'. The Department of Territories [II] (CA 4135) was abolished. Most of its functions passed to the new
Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and
Territories (CA 5984) while the Parliament House Construction Authority Act 1979 passed to the Department of Administrative Services [II] (CA 5983).

Minister for the Department was:

13 Dec 1984 - 24 Jul 1987 : Hon Gordon Glen Denton Scholes
(CP 309).

Secretary to the Department was:

13 Dec 1984 - 24 Jul 1987 : J D Enfield.

Name of creator

(24 July 1987 -)

Administrative history

The ACT Administration Central Office was established as a result of the Administrative Arrangements Orders of 24 July 1987. It operated within the Department of Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories (CA 5984) and was responsible for matters relating to the Australian Capital Territory. The Australian Capital Territory was formerly administered by the Department of Territories [II] (CA 4135).

The ACT Administration Central Office performed many functions for the ACT which, in the states, are performed by State government departments and municipal councils. Separate from Central Office were the ACT Health Authority and the ACT Schools Authority which provided health services and education (to college level) and the National Capital Development Commission which was responsible for the planning, design and construction of Canberra. The Canberra College of Advanced Education was also an independent body within the ACT Administration. Law enforcement and policy security matters were the responsibility of the Attorney-General.

Name of creator

(18 May 1989 - 14 Dec 1989)

Administrative history

Name of creator

(14 Dec 1989 - 4 Jul 1990)

Administrative history

Name of creator

(4 Jul 1990 - 1 July 1995)

Administrative history

Name of creator

(1 July 1995 - 31 March 1998)

Administrative history

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ACT Government records that are more than 20 years old are generally available to the public. Some records may be withheld for privacy, legal or public safety reasons.

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Copyright of material contained on this site is owned by the Australian Capital Territory, except where noted. This work is licensed under the "Creative Commons Licence Attribution 4.0 International (CCBY 4.0)":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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12/05/2023

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