Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Annual Report 2018-19

Nature and Science Precinct
Nature and Science Precinct
In January 2019, Royal Botanic Gardens
Victoria received a commitment of $5
million from the Victorian Government,
through the Minister for Energy,
Environment and Climate Change
and Minister for Solar Homes The
Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio MP, to support
a major feasibility study for our vision
for a Nature and Science Precinct at
Melbourne Gardens.
The Nature and Science Precinct is
currently undergoing scoping and initial
design at this stage but were it to be
realised would include redevelopment
of the National Herbarium of Victoria
into a state-of-the-art home for the
extraordinary treasures of the State
Botanical Collection. The Herbarium
collections would be protected securely
in an underground vault, while creating
opportunities to reveal the stories behind
these treasures to the general public for
the very first time.
Visitors would be able to access public
parts of the collection, as well as our
rich botanical library and much-loved
plant identification service. The original
1934 building would be fully restored, a
new Visitor Centre and Nature Gallery
created, and contemporary scientific
research labs built.
The Precinct would include a new
Learning and Participation Centre
with a refreshed Children’s Garden,
providing new opportunities to engage
local communities with food and urban
horticulture, photography and cookery
classes, ethnobotany, ethnoastronomy
and much more. In addition, preparations
for the return of the iconic Great
Melbourne Telescope to Melbourne
Observatory are well advanced and will
be part of the broader precinct.
The feasibility study will establish the
scope and design for Stage 1 of the new
Nature and Science Precinct and will
conclude in November 2019.
Progress so far:
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria has
appointed John Wardle Architects to
design the built form elements of the
Nature and Science Precinct. This awardwinning
architecture firm is well known
and respected throughout the world
for its inspirational and iconic designs.
Kerstin Thompson Architects was
appointed to develop an innovative new
staff accommodation facility, to address
the future of work and unique workforce
at the Gardens.
We have completed research into the
motivations of our current visitors to gain
greater insight into reasons to visit.
The Melbourne Gardens Master Plan 2019–
2039 public consultation phase is now
complete. The team is finalising the plan,
which will guide the Gardens landscape
development for the next 20 years.
Melbourne Gardens Master Plan
In June 2019 the Board approved
the Melbourne Gardens Master Plan
2019–2039. This Master Plan will
carefully guide change over the next
20 years against a backdrop of a
warming climate, and toward increased
recognition of Aboriginal cultural values
and improved protection for the State
Botanical Collection.
The Master Plan provides a vision for
Melbourne Gardens and Melbourne
Observatory and is a continuation of
our long and successful stewardship of
the site.
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