AUSTRALIA'S prime minister needs a new home and designers around the nation are being asked to help.
On offer is an $80,000 prize to design a new official residence on the shores of Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin.
The current Lodge is nearly 90 years old and is plagued with asbestos, leaky plumbing and possums - as well as being too small.
The University of Canberra and the Gallery of Australian Design are offering the prize money.
Competition adviser Annabelle Pegrum hopes a range of top-notch designs will provide the impetus to get a commonwealth project under way.
"I think having a vision that is tangible, recognising the possibilities will remove that hoary chestnut thing of, 'oh the money, you know, it's fine where we are'," she told reporters on Friday.
"We hope that it helps people to imagine, to dream and then to start to look at the coffers as to how you fund a building in the future."
She hopes designers offer something modern, which demonstrates the Australian character.
National Gallery of Australia director Ron Radford, one of eight competition jurors, says he'll be looking for the use of Australian materials, lots of wall space to display art, as well as a design the country can be proud of.
He also thinks it is important to have separate private and public apartments.
"At the moment, family and dogs have to spread into this tiny little Lodge," he said.
"I think there should be separate apartments where they actually live and where ... the prime minister formally entertains."
The nominated site, on commonwealth land, covers almost seven hectares between Stirling Ridge and the lake's edge in Yarralumla.
It combines parts of two areas previously identified by national capital planners as a location for a new prime ministerial residence.
University of Canberra acting vice-chancellor Nick Klomp says while he isn't a designer, the first thing the site's steep hill down to the lake brings to mind is a waterslide.
"But I just wasn't sure whether a waterslide should be included in the Lodge," he said, laughing.
The competition requires entrants to consider the ceremonial, private and security functions of a prime minister's residence.
Designs need to include a private home and study, function spaces and support services and a landscape design that incorporates a jetty, a swimming pool and areas for garden parties for up to 400 people.
Full details will be posted online at www.canberra.edu.au/lodge from January 26.
Entries close on May 4 and the winners will be announced on May 23.
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