Key Takeaways
- The Lanyon Homestead’s verandah view is protected by a historic agreement that prevents suburban development in the surrounding area.
- The property’s preservation is thanks to the efforts of heritage advocates and the establishment of the Australian Heritage Commission in the 1970s.
- The "Lanyon Bowl" protected area, declared under the Hawke government, preserves the visual and landscape integrity of the region.
- The Lanyon Homestead is one of the most well-preserved cultural landscapes in Australia, with a history dating back to the 19th century.
- The property’s view remains unchanged to this day, with no modern houses visible from the front verandah.
Introduction to Lanyon Homestead
The Lanyon Homestead, located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), is a historic property that has played a significant role in shaping the development of Canberra. The homestead’s verandah offers a picturesque view of the surrounding countryside, with no modern houses or suburban development in sight. This is not an accident, but rather the result of a series of decisions made over 50 years ago to preserve the property and its surroundings.
The History of Lanyon Homestead
When Canberra was chosen as the federal capital in the early 1900s, large swathes of land were resumed by the Commonwealth, including major estates such as Duntroon, Ginninderra, and Tuggeranong Homestead. However, Lanyon Homestead, which was owned by the same Cunningham family as Tuggeranong Homestead, was not acquired by the government. For decades, Lanyon remained a working rural property on the city’s fringe, until the National Capital Development Commission (NCDC) began to expand Canberra under its "Y Plan" in the 1950s and 60s.
The Battle to Preserve Lanyon Homestead
By the 1970s, the Federal Government had begun negotiations to acquire Lanyon Homestead, with plans to subdivide the land and develop a new suburb. However, the owners of the property, the Field family, disagreed with the government’s offer of compensation, which was based on the "land only value" and excluded the homestead and improvements. The dispute went to the Supreme Court, and while it was ongoing, the National Trust placed the property on its heritage register, amid fears that it could be demolished or swallowed by suburban development.
The Turning Point for Heritage Protection
The election of the Whitlam government in 1974 marked a turning point for heritage protection in Australia. The Australian Heritage Commission was established, and heritage conservation became a national priority. Key to Lanyon’s survival was the lobbying efforts of heritage advocates, including ANU landscape architect Professor Ken Taylor, who famously brought federal minister Tom Uren to the homestead to explain the importance of preserving the surrounding landscape. Uren’s statement, "You will never be able to see a modern house from the front verandah of Lanyon," became a pivotal moment in the battle to save the property.
The Creation of the Lanyon Bowl
The idea of the "Lanyon Bowl" took shape soon after, with the formal declaration of the protected area under the Hawke government. The Lanyon Bowl preserves approximately 5000 hectares of land stretching from southern Tuggeranong to Mount Tennant, bounded by the Murrumbidgee River and surrounding hills. The result is one of the most intact cultural landscapes in Australia, with a hard southern boundary for Canberra’s growth. The preservation of Lanyon Homestead and its surroundings has ensured that the property remains one of the most well-preserved cultural landscapes in Australia.
The Significance of Lanyon Homestead Today
Today, Lanyon Homestead is open to the public and offers a unique glimpse into the region’s history and cultural heritage. The property’s view remains unchanged, with no modern houses visible from the front verandah. The acquisition of an 1832 painting by colonial surveyor Robert Hoddle, titled Mount Tennant, on the Murrumbidgee River, has underscored the importance of preserving the property and its surroundings. The painting, which is believed to have been painted from the site of Lanyon Homestead, is a striking reminder of the enduring beauty of the region and the importance of preserving its cultural heritage.