Bruce Alumni File Emergency Federal Court Application to Halt Demolition

The Bruce Hall Alumni Association has filed an emergency application with the Federal Court in Canberra to stop demolition of Bruce Hall, on grounds that the demolition would destroy significant heritage value.

Rebecca Duncan, President of the Alumni Association, filed the application last night, and told Observer “The ANU ignored our many requests to stop works, so today we filed an urgent application in the Federal Court.”

ANU’s own heritage reviews, in both 2012 and 2015, concluded the Bruce building has “high” heritage value, and “Meets the criteria for Commonwealth Heritage List.” The Bruce Hall Alumni requested the ACT Heritage Council consider the building for heritage status, but was referred to the National Capital Authority, as Bruce Hall lies within the portion of Canberra controlled by the Commonwealth. The NCA approved ANU’s request in 2016, stating “present students will adapt to the change in their living environment as a matter of course.” and that “With respect to the alumni, it is respectfully suggested that the most important associational values relate to the internal strength and coherence of the alumni itself.” Alumni argue knocking down Bruce has “a significant impact on the environment.”

Observer will provide updates to this story as events proceed.