This is the main correspondence series of the National Capital Development Commission (NCDC). It documents all NCDC functions which cover aspects of "the planning, development and construction of the City of Canberra as the National Capital of Australia"; as well as the internal administration of the Commission. There are policy files and files documenting the implementation of policy, including design and siting policy for residential dwellings, case files on projects and files relating specifically to the current and future planning needs of the ACT. One specific type of case file deals with the preliminary arrangements leading to the selection of a contractor and the preparation of a contract for construction works.

These files are registered into the following year's sequence; ie, file number 101 raised during say July 1987 would be numbered as 1988/101. The recurring files may also have part numbers; eg, 1988/101 Part 2, etc.

The first 400 numbers are usually reserved for a block allocation each year, and each of these numbers has the same file title each year. This is useful as files on specific recurring topics can be retrieved quickly by action officers who are familiar with them. However, a title may be discontinued at any time and its number reallocated to a new topic.

Files within the block allocation are raised from the beginning of the financial year; eg, from July of the preceding year. Some 1986 files, for example, were raised in July 1985 and are registered in the 1985 file register, but with a 1986 year prefix. Files within this block allocation are raised on a wide variety of subjects which include financial policy and planning and financial estimates; as well as any other matters which recur annually. These files remain open for the duration of the year and Part Numbers are used where necessary.

In 1988 the recurring file numbering system as stated above was not used because of the demise of N.C.D.C.

Files outside the block allocation raised in any one year remain active until they are filled or for about 5 years. These files may also have part numbers.

In 1978, the Commission decided to create a new series of files - known as the "Statutory Planning Files" (CRS A6987) - to deal with applications for extensions to both commercial and residential buildings not covered by the appropriate Building Ordinance of the Department responsible for ACT administration. Files dealing with applications of this type prior to 1978 were top-numbered into this series.

Since the demise of the N.C.D.C., areas responsible for the A.C.T. neighbourhood and town centres, now belong to the A.C.T Administration and areas responsible for the Federal designated areas i.e. Parliamentary Triangle, Government Offices, Open Space, etc., belong to the National Capital Planning Authority (N.C.P.A.) (a breakdown of the files concerned, 80% with N.C.D.C., 20% N.C.P.A.).

The N.C.P.A. will create their own files.

All records created before the demise will remain in the A.C.T. Administration Sub-Registry at the N.C.D.C.
Quantity in agency custody
c.350m held by CA 6655, ACT Administration

Controlling series unregistered

1976 - 9999; Computer based registration and retrieval records/systems