National Capital Development Commission, 1958-67

Component identifier:

Series 10

Content Summary:

After some negotiation, Peter Harrison left the University of Sydney in 1959 to become inaugural Chief Town Planner of the NCDC. He was recruited by Sir John Overall, who was mindful of Harrison's knowledge of Walter Burley Griffin. Harrison spent the next eight years at the Commission, serving as Director of Town Planning and First Assistant Commissioner.

The series does not reflect the scope of Harrison's work, or the extent of his influence during the period with the Commission. It includes papers from the October 1958 National Capital Planning Committee meeting; files and papers on aspects of Commission planning in its early years including definition of the Australian National University site, and Canberra city centre planning. There are papers on Harrison's consultancy visits, especially in North America in 1965, his resignation from the Commission in 1967, and some printed material including reports of Sir William Holford.

Papers concerning Harrison's appearance as a Commission representative at the 1967 Land Tenure Inquiry are in Series 9.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were donated to the Library by Sheila Harrison in 1991. Small additions were made by Mrs Harrison in 1996 and by Ed Wensing in 1997.

Names:

Harrison, Sheila, Mrs.

Contents

Access and use