AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

CULTURAL FACILITIES CORPORATION (DESIGNATED LOCATION) DECLARATION 2004 (No 1)

DI 2004-182

Cultural Facilities Corporation Act 1997

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Overview

Mugga Mugga is a collection of furnished buildings dating from the 1830’s on 17.3 hectares of land in Symonston.  The property is in its original condition and reflects the social and material history of a rural working class family in the early 20th century.

The Territory has formally owned the property since 2001, after the original owners bequeathed the property to the Territory.  The Cultural Facilities Corporation has been managing the property on behalf of the Territory, presenting a range of heritage and social history programs for community access.

Under Section 3A the Cultural Facilities Corporation Act 1997 (the Act), the Minister may declare a location to be a ‘designated location’.  Section 5 of the Act gives the Corporation the function of managing, presenting and promoting cultural activities at designated locations.

The Corporation, under Schedule 1 of the Act, currently has The Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra Museum and Gallery, Lanyon Historic Property, Calthorpe’s House and the Nolan Gallery as designated locations under the Act.

The inclusion of Mugga Mugga (Block 6, Section 103, Symonston) as a designated location in Schedule 1 acknowledges the Corporation’s role regarding the property, and is consistent with its functions.