Last chance to help grow a Master Plan for the Ballarat Botanical Gardens

Just one week remains for residents and visitors to inform how the City of Ballarat continues to grow the Ballarat Botanical Gardens into the future. 

Community feedback and ideas will help inform a Master Plan that will take a big picture look at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens – what's working, what’s not working and what do we want them to look like in 20 years’ time. 

About 250 surveys have so far been completed, with a stall also held at the Ballarat Begonia Festival and a drop-in session at the Conservatory on Sunday 7 April. 

The Master Plan will focus on the main part of the Gardens and the North and South Reserves. 

The City of Ballarat has appointed a consultant to undertake this work, and to assist we’re inviting all residents, visitors and people with an interest in the gardens to join the conversation. 

Landscape architect Andrea Proctor will lead the process of developing the new Master Plan and has recently been involved in similar processes for the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, the Albury Botanic Gardens and the Colac Botanic Gardens. 

Ms Proctor and her team will also work with a range of stakeholder groups, including the Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, the Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. 

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson encouraged those yet to complete the survey to provide their feedback before it closes on Sunday 21 April. 

“Our community’s great ideas will help inform and shape the future of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens,” he said. 

“The Master Plan will guide the design and care of the Gardens for the next 20 years, allowing us to protect what’s loved while providing the amenities and spaces people want and need.” 

The Ballarat Botanical Gardens is renowned as one of Australia’s most attractive cool climate gardens. 

The gardens were first reserved for a public garden in 1857. 

Today, the 40 hectares of leafy gardens and avenues located opposite Lake Wendouree feature a fine collection of exotic conifers, deciduous and native trees and historic bedding displays. 

Feedback from the community will be used to guide the development of the Draft Ballarat Botanical Gardens Master Plan. 

The survey closes 5pm, Sunday 21 April via mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au/ballarat-botanical-gardens-masterplan. 

All feedback will be considered in the development of the final Master Plan, which will then be presented to Council for consideration. 

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

The Master Plan replaces the 1995 Ballarat Botanical Gardens Master Plan.