Anticipation grows for Australian War Memorial expansion

The Australian War Memorial has installed a large-scale banner on the fence at the front of its site, facing Anzac Parade.

The graphic banner shows what the proposed new Southern Entrance and upgraded Parade Ground will look like when the related construction and landscape work are complete in 2024.

Executive Program Director Wayne Hitches said the fencing around the construction site is in place for the safety of pedestrians and enclosure of the work during work on the Memorial’s highly anticipated Development Project.

“The higher part of the fence, and the image you can now see, shield the appearance of the construction activity from the treasured Anzac Parade vista,” Mr Hitches said.

“Like all Canberrans and many other Australians, we want to protect the view of the Memorial’s iconic building to the extent practical. This design on the fence was chosen for that reason. We hope that for locals and visitors alike, the illustration will build anticipation for how the Memorial will look after the Development works are completed.”

Mr Hitches said the fencing surrounding the site will remain in place until the conclusion of heavy construction work and landscaping at the front of the Memorial in 2024.

“The new buildings and galleries will create additional exhibition spaces that will enable the Memorial to appropriately honour the current and future generations of the Australian Defence Force, as part of telling the stories of the Australian experience of war and military service,” Mr Hitches said.

“Additional gallery fitouts, refurbishments, and landscaping works will begin in 2025 to complete the overall project in 2028.”

To learn more about the Australian War Memorial’s Development Project, visit www.awm.gov.au/ourcontinuingstory