Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Annual Report 2018-19

Recycled building timber mulch in use at Cranbourne Gardens.
IMPACT SNAPSHOT:
TRANSFORMING
VICTORIA’S GARDENS
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria has met
significant milestones and achieved great
impact from the $27 million funding
package announced by the Department
of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
in June 2018. Public accessibility and
safety has already been greatly improved,
landscapes at both iconic gardens
have been refurbished and refreshed,
important renovations undertaken, and
new opportunities have been created
for deeper engagement with nature and
science.
SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT
100 per cent Recycled Irrigation
Water
Substantial progress was made towards
achieving 100 per cent recycled irrigation
water at both Melbourne Gardens and
Cranbourne Gardens.
The design for the Cranbourne Gardens
Recycled Water Initiative Project
has been completed. An alternative
stormwater option was examined and,
after consideration, not progressed. The
permitting and procurement phase of the
project will commence in 2019–20.
At Melbourne Gardens, the 100 per cent
recycled water project was approved
to proceed to the next phase by the
Department of Environment, Land, Water
and Planning. Royal Botanic Gardens
Victoria will consult with the Birrarung
Council in early 2019–20 prior to recommencing
the system design.
Melbourne Gardens Landscape
Water Management
As of 30 June 2019, 39 megalitres of
harvested stormwater was applied to the
landscape. Of the total amount of water
(155 ML) that was used for landscape
irrigation, 25 per cent was sourced from
stormwater. If equated to the value of
potable-sourced water, the stormwater
volume provided $121,000 worth of
savings. Lower than average rainfall of
433 mm for the period (compared to
526 mm in 2017–18) reduced expected
stormwater harvest and increased
irrigation demand.
Environmental Resource
Management
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is
committed to sustainable resource
management. The Environmental
Stewardship Policy, underpinned by a
commitment to biodiversity, ecology,
community engagement and the
maintenance of its landscapes, is central
to its environmental management.
Ecologically sustainable development
principles were applied in the planning
and development of major projects,
making Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria a
recognised leader in water management
for large landscapes. Waste minimisation
and management programs are in place
at both sites.
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