The ACT Government has reached a significant milestone in the revitalisation of one of Canberra's most iconic landmarks, signing a Heads of Agreement with Telstra that paves the way for the next stage of planning and development for Telstra Tower.
The agreement marks an important step in transforming the tower into a renewed destination for locals and visitors, helping unlock the site's potential as a unique tourism, community and cultural attraction.
The Heads of Agreement establishes the framework for the ACT Government and Telstra to undertake the detailed planning, design, costing and operational work needed to inform final decisions on the project, including visitor experiences, community spaces and supporting infrastructure.
The vision for the Tower is centred around four defining themes: the cultural significance of Black Mountain and its surrounds, Canberra's contemporary character, the story of the tower itself, and Australia's telecommunications history.
Developed through ongoing engagement with Traditional Custodians and stakeholders, these pillars will shape a unique visitor experience that connects people with the landscape, stories and innovations that have helped define Canberra and the nation.
The ACT Government is also working closely with Traditional Custodians through ongoing consultation to ensure Ngunnawal knowledge, cultural values and community priorities are meaningfully reflected throughout the planning and delivery of the project.
This follows the National Capital Authority granting conditional works approval for the Tower, including approval for a change of use and key design elements.
The signed Heads of Agreement, ongoing engagement with Traditional Custodians, and the NCA Works Approval represent significant progress for the project.
Together, these milestones provide a pathway towards the objective of reopening the Tower to the public in the summer of 2027/2028, subject to the completion of detailed planning, approvals and delivery milestones.
Quotes attributable to Chief Minister Andrew Barr:
"Telstra Tower is one of Canberra's most recognisable landmarks, and this milestone brings us closer to seeing it reimagined as a destination for future generations.
"The Heads of Agreement provides the foundation needed to progress detailed planning and ensures we can properly assess the opportunity to create an exciting new experience for Canberrans and visitors.
"For decades, Telstra Tower has been a symbol of Canberra. Its revitalisation will help strengthen our tourism offering while creating another place for Canberrans to connect with the stories, culture and innovation that have shaped our city.
"This is an important moment in the journey of Telstra Tower, and we're looking forward to continuing work to bring this vision to life on Black Mountain."
Quotes attributable to Chris Taylor, Regional General Manager NSW and ACT at Telstra:
"The signing of this Heads of Agreement is an important step in the revitalisation of the Tower, and we're pleased to be moving into the next phase alongside the ACT Government.
"We are proud to partner with the ACT Government to help realise its vision for Telstra Tower as a renewed destination for Canberrans and visitors."
