Detailed planning and design work needed to reopen Telstra Tower to the public will start after the telecommunications company signed a new agreement with the ACT government.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the heads of agreement provided the foundation needed to keep working on an anticipated reopening in the 2027-28 summer.
"For decades, Telstra Tower has been a symbol of Canberra. Its revitalisation will help strengthen our tourism offering while creating another place for Canberrans to connect with the stories, culture and innovation that have shaped our city," Mr Barr said in a statement.
"This is an important moment in the journey of Telstra Tower, and we're looking forward to continuing work to bring this vision to life on Black Mountain."
The government said the vision for the tower had four themes: Black Mountain's cultural significance, Canberra's contemporary character, and the history of the tower and Australian telecommunications.
"Developed through ongoing engagement with traditional custodians and stakeholders, these pillars will shape a unique visitor experience that connects people with the landscape, stories and innovations that have helped define Canberra and the nation," the ACT government said in a statement.
"The ACT government is also working closely with traditional custodians through ongoing consultation to ensure Ngunnawal knowledge, cultural values and community priorities are meaningfully reflected throughout the planning and delivery of the project."
Telstra's NSW and ACT regional general manager, Chris Taylor, said: "We are proud to partner with the ACT government to help realise its vision for Telstra Tower as a renewed destination for Canberrans and visitors."
The National Capital Authority had granted conditional works approval for a change of use for the tower and key design elements, the territory government said.
The signed agreement provided "a pathway towards the objective of reopening the Tower to the public in the summer of 2027-2028, subject to the completion of detailed planning, approvals and delivery milestones".
The 2025 ACT budget set aside more than $2.6 million in funding to support the negotiations with Telstra and the future refurbishment of the tower.
A year earlier, Mr Barr had said the tourism operation would need to be commercially viable and there was not "bottomless capital" to invest in the site.
At the signing of the letter of intent with the ACT government in June 2024, Telstra chief executive Vicki Brady said the company believed the tower could again be a popular tourist destination, alongside its telecommunications functions.
"As a national telecommunications and infrastructure provider, Telstra does not have the expertise to develop or manage a tourist attraction, so we need a partner with the local knowledge, skills and capability to help make that happen," Ms Brady said.
"That's why we are pleased to be entering into a partnership with the ACT government to leverage their local expertise in running world-class tourism venues, and hope this enables the tower to once again be open to the public."
The tower was abruptly closed to visitors in July 2021 and the closure became "indefinite" in December 2021.
