Ngunnawal Elders Fear Broken Promises as Telstra Tower Reopening Plans Shift
The future of Canberra’s iconic Telstra Tower hangs in the balance, as Ngunnawal leaders express growing concern they are being sidelined in plans to reopen the landmark after a four-year closure. Originally envisioned as a vibrant “cultural tourism venue” celebrating the region’s First Peoples, the project now appears to be pivoting towards adventure-based attractions, sparking accusations of broken promises and a lack of respect for Traditional Owners.
The Telstra Tower, closed to visitors since 2020, has become a visible symbol of neglect, its grounds now overgrown and access restricted by barbed wire. While discussions to revitalize the site began as early as 2022, Ngunnawal elders Uncle Richie Allan and Aunty Violet Sheridan now feel increasingly excluded from key decisions.
“I’ve seen this closed for a long time like that, and my vision was that there’s something missing for the Traditional Owners, the Ngunnawal people here in Canberra,” Aunty Sheridan explained. “My vision started with a conversation to say, ‘Hey, let’s get this back open, but let’s make it the true identity of Canberra, the First Peoples of Canberra.’”
In mid-2022, Telstra engaged Deloitte Indigenous Services to develop plans in direct consultation with Uncle Richie and Aunty Violet. The resulting proposal reimagined the tower as a dedicated Ngunnawal cultural center, featuring digitally enhanced viewing platforms showcasing First Nations history, culturally inspired dining, and educational programs highlighting the Ngunnawal people’s deep connection to the land. A feasibility study, concept video, and detailed report were completed, backed by a commitment from Telstra to invest tens of millions of dollars, with the support of ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr.
“There is nothing in Canberra like the earlier vision put out by Telstra,” Uncle Richie asserted. “As soon as you walked through that door, it transcended you back into Ngunnawal culture, back into Ngunnawal country, and you see things through our eyes, you’ll hear things through our ears. You’ll be transcended back in time to see Canberra the way it used to be. This is Canberra, the meeting place of Australia. But it belongs to every Canberran, and we want to share that as Ngunnawal people.”
However, the narrative shifted in June 2024 when Telstra and the ACT Government signed a letter of intent to collaborate on the tower’s reopening. A year later, in June 2025, a media release announced $233,000 in government funding, quickly followed by discussions centered around “adventure experiences” – including elevated walks, base jumping, zip lines, and climbing courses.
“Opening the tower as a world-class tourist attraction will include consideration of a range of products and experiences,” an ACT Government spokesperson stated last year. This shift in focus led to concerns that the original Ngunnawal-led vision was being abandoned.
In September, Independent MLA Thomas Emerson and ACT Senator David Pocock publicly questioned Chief Minister Barr and Telstra, demanding they honor their prior commitments to Ngunnawal elders. An official subsequently confirmed the ACT Government had reviewed the Deloitte feasibility report, but characterized it as “a matter between [Telstra] and the community.”
Ngunnawal elders are now actively pushing for a return to the original plan. “It’s incredibly disappointing that Telstra and the ACT Government are baulking at earlier commitments made to the Ngunnawal community regarding the future of Telstra Tower,” Mr. Emerson said during a recent media event at the tower. “Extensive work went into developing a Ngunnawal-led vision for transforming Telstra Tower into a world-class cultural icon. Telstra invested in plans and committed significant capital to bring that vision to life. Turfing all that work would be both wasteful and deeply disrespectful to the Traditional Owners who’ve been driving this process.”
Senator Pocock echoed these sentiments, stating, “It’s been years since Telstra Tower has been closed to the public, and the site has sat vacant. Let’s not allow this to become yet another missed opportunity to celebrate Ngunnawal culture and enliven tourism in the nation’s capital.”
Uncle Richie and Aunty Sheridan have since met directly with the ACT Government, delivering a clear message. “Telstra did make a promise to the Ngunnawal people that it will be a Ngunnawal cultural centre first and foremost,” Uncle Richie said. “In conversations that we had about a month or a half ago now, in early December, I put it straight to them like that, ‘You promised.’ And the integrity of Telstra stands here today, and we’ll say it: ‘you stand by your word.’”
The ACT Government maintains it is continuing to work with Traditional Owners to “ensure the staged Telstra Tower reopening delivers meaningful cultural opportunities.” A spokesperson confirmed the Chief Minister recently met with Aunty Violet to discuss the project, describing the discussion as “positive” and agreeing to continued collaboration. The government is also working with local Indigenous consultancy Lyrebird Dreaming to develop an “engagement approach” with the Ngunnawal people.
However, the government also emphasized that ultimate responsibility for the tower’s final design rests with Telstra. “While Telstra has previously consulted Traditional Custodians on potential future uses of the site, including a cultural centre, those outcomes remain a matter for Telstra as the facility owner,” the spokesperson clarified.
Telstra acknowledged the “cultural significance of the site” and affirmed its commitment to including Ngunnawal Traditional Custodians in the planning process. “The ACT Government is leading this engagement and is in the process of developing its engagement plan with the support of its specialist advisors,” a Telstra spokesperson stated. “We’ve appreciated the positive conversations to date and are committed to continuing this engagement.”
Construction is currently slated to begin in late 2027, contingent upon ongoing commercial negotiations, securing a construction partner, and the smooth progression of construction work. The unfolding situation underscores a critical juncture for the Telstra Tower, raising questions about honoring commitments to Indigenous communities and the potential for a landmark to truly reflect the cultural identity of Canberra.
