​As Australia's oldest parliament, and indeed Sydney CBD's oldest surviving building, there's a program of critical maintenance and restoration work underway at NSW Parliament House – efforts that will preserve the historic building for the NSW public for years to come.

Commenced during the extended break between the 57^th and 58^th Parliaments, the work most visible to those walking down Macquarie Street includes restoration of the heritage 'Rum Hospital' façade, which dates from the building's original use as Sydney's first public hospital, before it was transformed into the Parliament as we know it today.

The efforts also include restoration of the Legislative Council chamber, which was built from an iron shed back when the Parliament evolved to have two Houses in the mid-1850s. The Legislative Assembly chamber is being restored as well, having been added to the Rum Hospital building in 1843 for use by the early Council, before becoming the meeting place of the Assembly in 1856.

The critical work across the parliamentary precinct was begun after extensive consultation with the parliamentary community, including members from all political groupings. It forms part of a $22 million allocation from the NSW Government to address an historical maintenance backlog and significant ongoing deterioration, and is the first significant remediation work performed in 40 years.

Parliament House remains open to the public during the maintenance and restoration works, though access to some areas of the building may be limited. Tours are planned to recommence following the opening of the Parliament in early May. More information on visiting can be found here.

Yes, the essential running of Parliament will continue during this time. When the 58^th Parliament commences, this will include sittings of the Houses and committee hearings. 

WATCH: THE CHAMBER OVER THE YEARS

From essential structural work to the changing colour of the walls, see how the chamber has changed since 1856: