Draft Ballarat Botanical Gardens Master Plan open for consultation

The City of Ballarat has released the Draft Ballarat Botanical Gardens Master Plan for community review and feedback.

The Draft Master Plan sets out a 20-year vision for the Gardens including more tree and garden bed planting and better connecting the different areas to create an integrated gardens precinct.

It outlines key priorities such as enhancing visitor experiences and preserving the heritage and botanical significance of the site.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said community feedback will be vital in shaping the final plan.

“The Ballarat Botanical Gardens are a cherished part of our city’s identity, offering respite, recreation and learning on the shores of Lake Wendouree,” she said.

“They are a treasured place of green refuge that bring joy to residents and visitors alike.

“We encourage everyone to share their thoughts on the Draft Master Plan to help guide the future of this iconic space.”

The City of Ballarat held extensive community consultation in the development of the Draft Master Plan, which has helped guide the development of a number of key recommendations.

Key recommendations include:

• Creating a North Garden Meadowlands with sensitive new planting and picnic areas, a Wildlife Garden with native species and more walking tracks
• A new Southern Glasshouse to house new permanent plant collections with the potential for a small kiosk-style cafe and seating area
• Creation of a hands-on learning space, Ballarat’s Back Garden, near the Tram Museum, for people of all ages to learn about gardening and food production
• A new fenced Children’s Garden connected to the Gatekeeper’s Cottage, providing an exciting, interactive space for children and families with plant tunnels, nature play and growing areas
• Hedging the fence to the Ballarat Fish Hatchery while adding in viewing windows and platforms for visitors to view daily trout feeding
• Completion of the Fernery complex with works to improve the connection between the Gothic entrance and the 1950s Fernery. This includes retaining the stonework of the building and expanding the landscaping and garden beds with more tree and ground ferns. Longer-term initiatives include the addition of a simple, architecturally designed pergola structure to link the Gothic building with the Robert Clark Conservatory and potential canopy walkway connected to the Children’s Garden, and
• Better fencing to reduce the risks of Black Swans crossing Gillies Street and vehicle slowing mechanisms to Wendouree Parade.

The City of Ballarat and consultant Andrea Proctor Landscapes worked with a range of stakeholder groups, including the Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, the Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation and tenanted adjoining land users, such as the Ballarat Fish Acclimatisation Society Hatchery.

Community members can review the draft and provide feedback at mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au/ballarat-botanical-gardens-masterplan.

You can also pick-up a printed copy of the survey at City of Ballarat sites, including the new Ballarat Botanical Gardens Information Centre at the Robert Clark Centre, Customer Service and Ballarat Libraries.

The consultation is now open and closes Sunday 13 April, 5pm.