Come and see the changes to your Gardens

The Gardens are humming with life after lockdown - and the wraps are coming off several exciting new developments.

The Australian Government has announced a $233 million investment into Parks Australia to deliver infrastructure upgrades across Commonwealth national parks and the Australian National Botanic Gardens. The funding allocated to the Gardens will provide for the development of the Horticulture Centre (see artist impression) adjoining the new National Seedbank and incorporating the two workshop depots, in the Northern Precinct. It will also support firefighting infrastructure such as the extension of the boundary fire suppression system, a site-wide evacuation warning system and associated infrastructure developments.

Together with funding already provided for the Ian Potter National Conservatory and the new National Seed Bank, the Gardens has received record funding for major capital works and this will allow for the continued implementation of the Masterplan.

A summary of other points:

• A steady increase in visitors returning to the Gardens, recording 31,885 visitors in June which is an equivalent number for this time last year.
• ANBG Volunteers will have the opportunity to return to work from August 2020. Volunteer Supervisors for each volunteer program are working on COVID-19 Safety Plans to ensure the safety of volunteers, visitors and staff.
• The tender for the new National Seed Bank has been finalised and the architect has been selected to design the new facility.
• After considerable time working on specifications, the Gardens are currently finalising the tender for the builder to construct the Ian Potter National Conservatory. Construction is planned to commence in November.
• The Banksia Garden is nearing completion with the interpretation signs installed on Thursday 16 July and the dry-stone wall to be completed by the end of July. The garden is now open for people to wander through; and the main plant-out will now be completed in Spring.
• The old Banks Building has undergone major refurbishments and will revert to its original name, the Banksia Centre Education and Learning.
• The Crosbie Morrison building has also seen some amazing refurbishments with new flooring, upgrades to all bathrooms and a new kitchen.
• The self-guided Flowers, Fruit & Foliage (FFF) walk has returned and is now available online and at the Visitor Centre. Thanks to Ben and Ros Walcott for producing the trail each fortnight.
• A newly branded and updated Visitor Guide and Map is now available at the Visitor Centre  - it’s quite attractive and refreshing.

Read the full text of the news article summarised here.