Agenda Item 5.9 COUNCIL REPORT
27 June 2006 MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW LICENCE RENEWAL
Committee Marketing and Events
Presenter Cr Jetter
Purpose
1. To:
1.1. provide Council with a review of the 2006 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) at the end of the final year of a three year licence agreement with Council;
1.2. present Council with a report on alternative venues for MIFGS as requested by the Business and Marketing Committee on 13 September 2005; and
1.3. provide Council with additional information pertaining to the MIFGS event in 2006 to assist Council with the renewal of the MIFGS licence as requested by the Business and Marketing Committee on 15 November 2005.
Consideration at Committee
2. As a result of consideration at Committee, the recommendation contained in the Management Report was endorsed subject to the addition of a further paragraph (3.3 below).
Recommendation
3. That Council:
3.1. exercise its option to extend the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) Licence for a further two years at the current location;
3.2. request that the administration utilise this period to achieve a solution for the Royal Exhibition Building (REB) site that satisfies Council’s concerns regarding access and usage of the site; and
3.3. request that the funding for the upgrade of the Carlton Gardens be further considered at the upcoming Council budget meeting.
Council Report Attachment: 1. Marketing and Events Committee, Agenda Item 5.1, 13 June 2006 Page 1 of 139
MARKETING AND EVENTS COMMITTEE Agenda Item 5.1 REPORT
13 June 2006 MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW LICENCE RENEWAL
Division Marketing, Tourism & Major Events
Presenter Peter Stewart, Manager Events Melbourne
Purpose
1. To provide the Marketing and Events Committee with a review of the 2006 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) at the end of the final year of a three year licence agreement with Council.
2. To present the Marketing and Events Committee with a report on alternative venues for MIFGS as requested by the Business and Marketing Committee on 13 September 2005.
3. To provide the Marketing and Events Committee with additional information pertaining to the MIFGS event in 2006 to assist Council with the renewal of the MIFGS licence as requested by the Business and Marketing Committee on 15 November 2005.
Recommendation from Management
4. That the Marketing and Events Committee recommend that Council:
4.1 exercise its option to extend the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) Licence for a further two years at the current location; and
4.2 that the administration utilise this period to achieve a solution for the Royal Exhibition Building (REB) site that satisfies Council’s concerns regarding access and usage of the site.
Key Issues
2006 MIFGS Statistics
5. MIFGS contributes to Melbourne’s reputation as a vibrant, international and liveable city. It is recognised as one of the top five public events of this nature comparing more than favourably with events in England, America and New Zealand. It is the premier flower and garden show in the southern hemisphere. Tourism Victoria classifies MIFGS as a hallmark event, sharing this status with other world class events such as the Australian Open, the Melbourne Comedy Festival, Victorian Racing Carnival and the Australian Formula One Grand Prix.
6. The 2006 Post Event MIFGS Report submitted on behalf of the MIFGS Board provides an event overview, economic and industry impact statements, statistical data relating to visitation, media coverage and stakeholder feedback (Attachment 1). Page 2 of 139
Compliance with Licence and Council Requirements
7. As Committee of Management for the Carlton Gardens, Council is able to issue a permit for Carlton Gardens South in accordance with the provisions of the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 and the Melbourne Parks and Gardens (Joint Trustees Reserves) Regulations 1994.
8. In July 2003 Council agreed to issue a permit (the licence) to the Flower and Garden Show Ltd, an organisation that represents the Nursery and Garden Industries of Victoria and Flowers Victoria, for the use of Carlton Gardens South to stage the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. The licence was set for a period of three years with an optional extension of a further two years.
9. The MIFGS licence incorporates stringent requirements to protect the gardens and its heritage features and obligates the event organisers to implement best practice standards for event logistics, park protection, reinstatement and public/contractor safety.
10. The Licensee has substantially complied with the MIFGS Licence conditions and additional obligations imposed by Council and the community during the term of the 2004-2006 licence.
11. Clause 1.25 of Schedule Two of the MIFGS Licence stipulates that the Site Plan will ‘ensure that negotiation between Melbourne Museum and MIFGS to achieve a suitable integration with Melbourne Museum spaces is included in site planning procedure and that every effort is made to relocate the heavy and more demanding uses from the sensitive gardens area onto the Museum’s hard stand area’.
12. The Museum Forecourt was not utilised in 2006 due to live site requirements of this venue for the Commonwealth Games. The bump out schedule for the Games precluded the timely bump in of sites for MIFGS. In 2005 there was a sustainability display on the forecourt to generate interest for the use of this space.
13. Although there were no displays on the Museum forecourt in 2006, there has been a reduction in hard landscaping and facilities within the event from 2003 to 2006. A total of 2,593 square metres being completely removed from the gardens during this period (Attachment 2).
14. MIFGS was not required to obtain a Planning Permit to conduct MIFGS in the Carlton Gardens in 2006. The Minister for Planning made changes to Clause 62 of the Melbourne Planning Scheme on 22 December 2005 to exempt events on public land from the need for a planning permit.
15. MIFGS was required to obtain a permit from Heritage Victoria in 2006. Conditions of the permit included engagement of a heritage consultant with horticultural experience, approved by the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria, to be involved in monitoring the construction/dismantling phase of the event. The consultant concluded in the 2006 Report that “the show has negligible impact, if any at all, on tree health in Carlton Gardens. The show organisers are exercising strong control and discipline over garden installers and public visiting the site, and the compliance with conditions appear to be exemplary. The show organisers appear to be open to viable alternatives that will ensure the protection of heritage features of the Carlton Gardens site and its trees” (Attachment 3).
16. There were 12 horticultural/operational infringements recorded by the Site Superintendent at MIFGS 2006. This was an improvement on 2005 where 24 infringements were recorded. The Site Superintendent attributed the reduction to a more stringent approval process for landscape construction. Ten of the breaches were considered to be of low/medium consequence and were rectified on site immediately at the direction of the Site Superintendent. The two remaining breaches were considered significant as there was some damage to tree stock. The damage, however, was superficial and posed no long term threat to the health of the trees (Attachment 4).
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2006 Event Improvements
17. Through consultation with the Event Advisory Group, Council has made significant improvements in the management of MIFGS over the course of the current licence.
18. Council benchmarks, revises and augments the terms and conditions applied to this event annually to ensure continuous improvement in venue management practices and reduce impact upon resident amenity.
19. The MIFGS Board, WorkSafe and Events Melbourne supported an additional two day closure of Carlton Gardens South in 2006 to better manage the Occupational Health and Safety issues associated with the event. Under this arrangement, Carlton Gardens South was closed for a period of 14 days to ensure that the public were not endangered by entering the site during the installation and dismantling phases of the event. The closure of Carlton Gardens South during MIFGS complies with the Melbourne Parks and Gardens (Joint Trustee Reserves) Regulations 1994 that stipulates that the venue may be enclosed for a period not exceeding 14 days.
20. Several marquees were relocated from Carlton Gardens South in 2006 including:
20.1. the corporate hospitality marquee that was relocated from Carlton Gardens South into the REB; and
20.2. one catering area that was relocated from Carlton Gardens South into Southern Drive, the hard surface between REB and Carlton Gardens South.
21. Detailed CAD plans were distributed to all MIFGS outdoor exhibitors in 2006 to identify all trees and associated tree protection zones within each exhibitor’s design space. The CAD plans were then used as a blue print on which exhibitors presented their plans for review and approval by Council.
22. The MIFGS Exhibitors Manual was updated in 2006 to provide prescriptive advice regarding tree protection zones, structure loads, grass protection and special requirements for the construction and dismantling phases of the event.
23. In 2006, face to face meetings were held between the Event Management Company (IMG) and all landscape designers to reiterate garden protection requirements and tree protection zones.
24. Additional responsibilities were delegated to the MIFGS Site Superintendent in 2006. In July 2003 Council appointed a full time Site Superintendent to monitor adherence to the licence conditions through the build, delivery, dismantle and reinstatement phases of the event. The responsibilities of the Superintendent have increased over the term of the Licence and in 2006 involved the officer in all pre-event planning and landscape site approvals. The presence of the MIFGS Site Superintendent has proven to be very beneficial in advising exhibitors and the event organisers on specific part protection issues thereby avoiding possible damage to the gardens.
25. Profloor, a turf protection system that spreads weight distribution and minimise compaction around important assets such as trees, was used more extensively in 2006. The Profloor was laid around the venue and in particular in front of catering areas and between trees to protect the gardens and tree root systems.
26. Additional traffic marshals were on site in 2006 to monitor internal traffic movements during bump out. This is in addition to the water and orange safety barriers that are installed on garden corners to prevent vehicles driving on grass surfaces.
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Reinstatement
27. The MIFGS Licence requires compliance with a rigorous Reinstatement Plan, managed by Council and funded by the event organiser.
28. In 2006 the estimated cost for horticultural materials and labour is $35,500.
29. In November 2005 Council commissioned Sportsturf Consultants to review past grass reinstatement for Carlton Gardens and make recommendations for future practices and grass types for MIFGS.
30. As a result of the above mentioned report, Parks and Recreation reviewed the MIFGS Reinstatement Specific ation for 2006 (Attachment 5). The new specifications for Carlton Gardens South provided for turf sod that was more compatible with the existing grass in relation to colour and type. The new grass will also provided more wear and drought tolerance, and reduce colour differential which has been a concern of some members of the Event Advisory Group in past years.
31. The Reinstatement Plan post 2006 MIFGS required three levels of reinstatement. These levels were identified in the initial site inspection held immediately after the Show:
31.1. Level 1: light scarification, top dressing and over seeding as required;
31.2. Level 2: cultivation to 50mm, blend to existing levels, top dress as required and provide suitable seed bed, hydroseed; and
31.3. Level 3: reduce levels to match surrounds and as directed, lay instant turf.
32. All agreed major works for reinstatement of Carlton Gardens post MIFGS were completed by Friday 21 April 2006. Level 2 reinstatement areas were escalated to Level 3 to utilise the 200 square metres of turf specially grown for MIFGS reinstatement.
33. Practical completion of Reinstatement for 2006 MIFGS was completed on 4 May 2006. The inspection showed:
33.1. the park was recovering well with a majority of the park suitable for general park use;
33.2. the turf colour to be an excellent blend with the lawn in Carlton Gardens;
33.3. existing grass and sods had begun to throw roots down into the soil; and
33.4. a large percentage of the seeded areas had germinated well and that it would thicken up over the coming weeks as the swards matured and cutting commenced. Areas with questionable germination will continue to be monitored and reseeded if required.
34. As part of Council’s Reinstatement Plan, a Final Completion inspection will be held on Friday, 16 June 2006 with the Reinstatement Service Provider. Any amelioration will be completed by the Contractor if directed by Council.
Compaction Analysis
35. Over recent years, MIFGS has lifted the standard and quality of displays that are built in the gardens for exhibition at the Show. To address concerns that more elaborate displays may cause detrimental impact to the gardens, Council has commissioned independent Soil Analysis (Compaction) Assessments annually after MIFGS since 2003.
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36. The results of the compaction testing in previous years indicated that whilst there was some compaction evident within the Carlton Gardens, the levels did not constitute a threat to existing trees/vegetation or to soil structure quality and that the Gardens exhibited healthy growth. The reports also indicated that the level of compaction in the gardens were within the tolerance levels for this type of park landscape.
37. 3 additional sites in Carlton Gardens South were tested in 2006 at the request of the MIFGS Events Advisory Group due to the high impact nature of activities at these sites during the show.
38. Van de Graaff and Associates carried out an assessment of Carlton Gardens in May 2006 in order to determine the level of soil compaction and the resultant potential impact on trees and existing vegetation post MIFGS 2006. The field work was carried out on the 4 and 5 May 2006 (Attachment 6).
39. The 2006 Soil Compaction Report concluded that the level of compaction in the Carlton Gardens poses no threat to the existing trees/vegetation or to soil structural quality. The vegetation within the gardens exhibits healthy growth and does not display any visible signs of stress, such as those that would result from high levels of compaction. As was the case in previous years, the compaction levels recorded are within the tolerance levels of this park landscape.
Stakeholder comments
40. The MIFGS board believe that the combined capacity of the REB and Carlton Gardens South suitably matches the capacity of the industry and that the venue is well placed to handle the crowds it attracts each year. The Board reiterates the conclusion of the 2006 Compaction Report that ‘there is no threat to the existing trees/vegetation or soil structure quality from the compaction levels of the soil within the Carlton Gardens. The vegetation within the Gardens exhibit healthy growth and do not display visible signs of stress, such as those that would result from high levels of compaction. The compaction levels are within the tolerance levels of this park landscape’.
41. Council has received 39 letters of individual and industry support for MIFGS at its current site at the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens South since the 2006 Show.
42. A few of the local residents and interests groups in the MIFGS Events Advisory Group hold great concern for the protection of the Carlton Gardens, particularly given their World Heritage status and recommend that Council should not renew the licence to conduct MIFGS in Carlton Gardens in the future. They consider that the Gardens suffer irreparable damage as a result of the show and that there is significant impact on local amenity in regard to parking/traffic and exclusion from public gardens.
43. Council has received 11 letters objecting to the renewal of MIFGS in Carlton Gardens South since the 2006 Show. Two of these have been from Event Advisory Group members.
44. Museum Victoria and Tourism Victoria support the continuation of MIFGS in its current location at the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens South. A letter to the Lord Mayor from these organisations dated 19 September 2005 and 2 May 2006 respectively have been attached to this report (Attachments 7 and 8).
45. As part of Council’s wider arrangement with IER Customer Direct to collect exit data at nominated sponsored major events, an exit poll was set up at 2006 MIFGS for 2 hours on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 April 2006. Two of the questions asked of patrons attending the show related to the suitability of the venue for MIFGS. Of 158 responses, 95% believed that the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens South is suitable for staging MIFGS (Attachment 9).
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Possible alternative venues
46. Carlton Gardens South, together with the REB, has been the venue for MIFGS for the past 11 Years.
47. The beautiful and atmospheric surrounds of the Carlton Gardens with the stunning backdrop of the REB provide a unique venue for MIFGS. The visual aesthetics of the Carlton Gardens is seen as a key factor in attracting garden lovers to the Show and is largely attributed to the event’s success.
48. Council has recently sought advice regarding the feasibility of locating MIFGS at its current site as well as alternative locations. Quest Consulting examined the suitability of five venues for the staging of MIFGS on Council’s behalf. The scope of the report was to focus on the relative advantages and disadvantages of each of the potential venues, not to make recommendations for a preferred site. The specific sites examined are listed below. There was also brief consideration to the feasibility of a combination of the REB, Museum Forecourt and a smaller portion of Carlton Garden South.
48.1. Carlton Gardens South and the Royal Exhibition Building (current venues);
48.2. Carlton Gardens North and the Royal Exhibition Building;
48.3. Birrarung Marr and Federation Square;
48.4. The Royal Melbourne Showgrounds; and
48.5. Flemington Racecourse.
49. Due to the magnitude and reputation of MIFGS, there are limited venues within close proximity to the Melbourne CBD that can accommodate this event. In addition, there is a requirement for both undercover and garden exhibition space within atmospheric surrounds to ensure the event’s continued success.
50. The Sidney Myer Music Bowl, The Royal Botanic Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens are unable to satisfy the spatial requirements of MIFGS and were not included in the feasibility study undertaken by Quest Consulting.
51. The ‘Venue Assessment Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show’ Report undertaken by Quest Consulting was completed in April 2006 (Attachment 10). It should be noted that the study does not intend to provide the full suite of information for the City’s consideration of the MIFGS licence renewal. Factors such as views of the stakeholders, wishes of visitors to the Show, economic and legal impacts were not included in the scope of this project.
52. The above mentioned report concluded that while no venue was perfect in every respect of the 17 criteria of the study, three of the five venues are suitable for MIFGS. Those venues are Carlton Gardens South and REB, The Royal Melbourne Showgrounds and Flemington Racecourse. The report notes that the Flemington Racecourse is temporarily unavailable for 2007 MIFGS due to the planned renovations of the Front Lawn.
53. Extensive planning would be required to relocate MIFGS to the Melbourne Showgrounds or the Flemington Racecourse. Firstly, it would be important to consider the timing of planned refurbishments at both venues as additional renovations are planned at both venues. There would also be significant impact on show planning as relocation would require significant event design, additional marketing and new traffic, safety and exhibitor management plans. As such, there are inherent risks in relocating an event from a long term site.
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54. The Museum Forecourt was not utilised for MIFGS 2006 due to live site requirements of this venue for the Commonwealth Games. Opportunities for expanded use of the hard surface of the plaza area between the REB and the Melbourne Museum, however, could be further explored in future years to reduce the impact upon Carlton Gardens South.
55. A history of MIFGS at previous venues is outlined in the Background section of this report.
Time Frame
56. In July 2003 Council agreed to issue a licence to the Flower and Garden Show Ltd, an organisation that represents the Nursery and Garden Industries of Victoria and Flowers Victoria, for the use of Carlton Gardens South to stage the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. The licence was set for a period of three years with an optional extension of a further two years.
57. Expedited approval of a licence renewal is critical to allow the licensee to proceed with operational planning and sponsorship negotiations for MIFGS in 2007 and 2008.
Relation to Council Policy
58. The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show addresses several of the City of Melbourne’s City Plan 2010 strategic directions, particularly those relating to ‘Connected and Accessible City’ and ‘Inclusive and Engaging City’.
59. Council’s Parks Policy provides that it will ‘facilitate events where it is consistent with the recreation and leisure role of the parks’ and that ‘any commercial activity within parks must enhance the experience of park users’.
Consultation
60. The MIFGS Event Advisory Group was established when Council entered into a licence agreement with the Flower and Garden Show Ltd in July 2003. The Event Advisory Group comprises representatives from the Flower and Garden Show Ltd, City of Melbourne, Melbourne Museum and interested community organisations. Community Groups represented include the East Melbourne Resident Group, Carlton Gardens Group, Carlton Residents Group, East Enders Inc, Residents 3000 and Friends of the Elms. The Council representative on the Event Advisory Group is Councillor Jetter.
61. The terms of reference for the Event Advisory Group allow members to provide input and advice for the management of the set up, delivery and dismantle of the show and assist in determining suitable legacy programs over the term of the licence, consistent with the Carlton Gardens Master Plan.
62. As part of the preparations for MIFGS a notification letter is delivered to residents and businesses in the immediate vicinity of the Carlton Gardens to provide information on the Show and changes to parking/traffic conditions and park access.
63. Temporary signage is installed in Carlton Gardens South along Victoria Street (near the intersection of Rathdowne and Nicholson Streets) approximately 3 weeks prior to the event to provide the public with information about the Show.
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Government Relations
64. The State Government’s Tourist Industry Strategic Plan (2002-2006) lists MIFGS as a Hallmark event for Victoria alongside other events such as the Australian Open Tennis Championships, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Spring Racing Carnival and the Melbourne International Arts Festival. Under this Plan, hallmark events are developed in cooperation with Tourism Victoria to increase visitation by interstate and international visitors and generate extensive destination exposure.
Finance
65. The licence fee for the use of the Carlton Gardens South to stage MIFGS was set at $60,000 in its first year (2004). In years 2 and 3 and during any extension of this Agreement the licence was to be reviewed in accordance with CPI. The MIFGS licence fee for 2006 was $69,543.54 (inclusive of CPI and GST).
66. Through the Event Partnership Program, Council approved $40,000 cash sponsorship and offered value in-kind up to $60,000 to support MIFGS. The in-kind sponsorship for the event is offset by the licence fee.
67. Under the Licence, Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show Ltd is obligated to contribute $25,000 annually into a MIFGS Sinking Fund. The funds are to be used to enhance the Carlton Gardens and its world heritage listing and must be expended pursuant to recommendations of the Event Advisory Group in a manner consistent with the Carlton Gardens Master Plan.
68. As Committee of Management for the Carlton Gardens, Council can make recommendations to the Minister for Crown Land for an increase in admission prices for MIFGS. The Minister has ultimate responsibility to approve the pricing structure for the show. On 28 March 2006 the Melbourne Parks and Gardens (Joint Trustee Reserves) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 were approved and allow the daily charge per person to MIFGS up to $20.00.
69. The daily charge per person to MIFGS in 2006 was a maximum of $17.50.
Legal
70. The Licence stipulates that if the Licensee has substantially complied with its obligations under the Licence Council will not unreasonably refuse to extend the Agreement for an additional two years. Paragraph 10 of the report states the Licensee has substantially complied with the Licence terms and conditions and additional obligations imposed by Council during the term of the 2004-2006 Licence.
Sustainability
71. MIFGS is the largest flower and garden show in the southern hemisphere and is designated by Tourism Victoria as a hallmark event. Over 1.2 million visitors have attended the event since its inception in 1996.
72. MIFGS has a total economic impact for Victoria between $8 and $9 million annually.
73. MIFGS impacts positively on the horticultural economy directly. Each major display in the Great Hall of the Royal Exhibition Building costs between $8,000 and $10,000 to stage. In the Carlton Gardens each landscape display on average invests between $30,000 and $50,000 in their displays.
74. In 2006, MIFGS displays and exhibitions generated $3 million into the economy along with greater employment, marketing and sponsorship opportunities to the industry.
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75. The REB and Carlton Gardens (North and South) were inscribed on the World Heritage List on 1 July 2004. In justification for the listing the Federal Government noted that ‘The Royal Exhibition Building, in its original setting of the Carlton Gardens, is an outstanding surviving manifestation of the international exhibition movement of the nineteenth and early twentieth century’.
76. The continuing use of the REB and Carlton Gardens is associated with the World Heritage significance of the site, and the on-going use of the venue for this purpose is acknowledged in all heritage listings. The concept of on-going use recognises that whilst the site may be continuous, the details as to the specified location and the function of modern day exhibitions may change over time. It is important that the REB and Carlton Gardens continue to host both local and international exhibitions.
77. To ensure minimum impact upon the Carlton Gardens during MIFGS, the licence stipulates specific terms and conditions that protect the gardens and its heritage features. Council also augments these conditions annually to meet best practice standards for event management, park protection, reinstatement and safety.
78. In order to ensure the sustainability of the Gardens and to further enhance the quality of the Show, Council convenes regular meetings in the lead up to the show each year to review event management and operations. The Event Advisory Group is invited to attend some of these meetings to provide advice regarding improvements to the show and recommendations for the expenditure of the Sinking Fund.
79. Parks and Recreation are currently consulting with the Event Advisory Group and wider community to progress concept designs for the Carlton Gardens entrances project using monies from the MIFGS Sinking Fund.
80. MIFGS was required to obtain a permit from Heritage Victoria in 2006. As such, there was a second layer of assessment for potential impact of MIFGS on the gardens and heritage assets. Conditions of the permit included engagement of a heritage consultant with horticultural experience, approved by the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria, to be involved in monitoring the construction/dismantling phase of the event.
Background
81. The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show was held at the World Heritage Listed Carlton Gardens South between 5 – 9 April 2006.
82. The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is a joint venture of Flowers Victoria and the Nursery and Garden Industry Association of Victoria.
83. Flowers Victoria is responsible for representing the flower growers of Victoria in all matters relating to the industry. Prior to MIFGS, Flowers Victoria staged the Australian National Flower Show at the Congress Centre from 1990-1991 and then at the Royal Exhibition Building from 1992.
84. The Nursery and Garden Industry Association of Victoria is the umbrella industry body for retail nurseries and horticultural suppliers to those nurseries. Prior to MIFGS, the Association staged its annual show, Garden Week in the Fitzroy Gardens for 2 years. Prior to that the event was held at the Burnley Horticultural College.
85. In 1996, Flowers Victoria and the Nursery and Garden Industry of Victoria came together to stage the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. The amalgamation of the event was strongly supported by the Victorian Government at the time and continues to enjoy strong government support.
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86. MIFGS has been held annually in the Carlton Gardens since 1996. In the 11 years the event has been in existence at this location, a total of 1.3 million have visited the REB and Carlton Gardens to attend this event. In 2006, the Show attracted 109,610 visitors, a substantial proportion of these coming from interstate and overseas.
87. The reputation of MIFGS is consolidated within the horticultural and floral industries and provides an opportunity to showcase the quality of Victoria’s product, services, skills and innovation in these fields. MIFGS features over 500 exhibitors, representing the cream of the landscape, design, floral and horticultural industries as well as student participation from TAFE and Universities studying horticulture and floristry all exhibiting at the show. They, along with community artists and gardening groups, inspire garden lovers with the latest design and creative ideas.
88. The past two years have seen adaptations of the top exhibits from Melbourne’s Show win prestigious awards at the Chelsea Flower Show in the UK, recognised universally as the ‘best of the best’.
89. MIFGS has a total economic impact for Victoria between $8 - $9 million annually.
90. The 2006 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show achieved strong media coverage via all medium across Australia. This included solid support from all commercial television networks, AM and FM radio, industry magazines and media partner Herald Sun.
Attachments: 1. 2006 MIFGS Report (prepared by IMG, Event Managers 2. Comparison of Hard Landscaping and Facilities at MIFGS 2003-2006 3. MIFGS Heritage Report 4. Site Superintendent Horticulture/Operations Report 5. Specification for Reinstatement Works at Carlton Gardens following MIFGS 2006 6. 2006 Soil Compaction Assesment of Carlton Gardens 7. Museum Victoria Letter of Support 8. Tourism Victoria Letter of Support 9. 2006 MIFGS Exit Poll Report 10. Venue Assessment MIFGS Report 2006 10 Page 11 of 139
MIFGS REPORT – PART 1
The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, Australia’s premier garden show, is under threat from lobbying by disgruntled residents who live near the Royal Exhibition Buildings and Carlton Gardens.
Recognised as possibly the best venue in the world for such an event, Carlton Gardens suffers no long term damage from the show, according to independent reports. Indeed, it benefits financially, translating to better maintenance and improvements to the gardens. The show is a big tourism drawcard and an important stimulus to the horticultural industry, which is already suffering from the drought. Would London throw out the Chelsea Flower Show for a few unhappy locals?
Helen Young – The Weekend Australian April 29 – 30 2006 Page 12 of 139
CONTENTS
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION...... 3 SECTION 2 EVENT OVERVIEW ...... 4 SECTION 3 PROTECTION OF THE GARDENS...... 5
GARDEN PROTECTION ...... 5 TREE PROTECTION ...... 7 GENERAL...... 7 HERITAGE VICTORIA...... 8 SECTION 4 ECONOMIC IMPACT AND INDUSTRY BENEFITS AS A RESULT OF MIFGS...... 8
SINGAPORE ...... 9 MALAYSIA ...... 9 JAPAN ...... 9 NEW ZEALAND...... 9 SECTION 5 STUDENT PARTICIPATION AND DEVELOPMENT AT MIFGS...... 10 SECTION 6 COMMUNITY GROUP PARTICIPATION IN MIFGS AND THE FORUM PROVIDED BY THE SHOW FOR CHARITY GROUPS ...... 12
COMMUNITY & SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS ...... 12 CHARITY ORGANISATIONS...... 13 SECTION 7 VICTORIAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MIFGS ...... 14 SECTION 8 VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AT MIFGS ...... 14
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES (DPI)...... 14 SAVEWATER WATER WISE INITIATIVE ...... 14 SECTION 9 BRANDING MELBOURNE/VICTORIA...... 15
INTRASTATE ADVERTISING...... 15 NATIONAL ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS ...... 15 OVERSEAS PROMOTIONS...... 16 SECTION 10 CONCLUSION...... 16 APPENDIX 1 FEEDBACK...... 17 APPENDIX 2 THE WORLD HERITAGE LISTED ROYAL EXHIBITION BUILDING AND CARLTON GARDENS AND MIFGS...... 21 APPENDIX 3 PREMIER BRACKS OPENING SPEECH...... 22 APPENDIX 4 2006 HERITAGE VICTORIA REPORT...... 24 Page 13 of 139
A report on the 2006 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION
“ ….. this event is unique. Unique because it is not only the largest flower and garden show in the southern hemisphere – and one of the Top Five flower and garden shows in the world.
It is also a breathtaking display of creativity and innovation. An event that showcases the very best of our city and State to the world.” Premier Bracks, Opening Speech, MIFGS 2006
Refer to Appendix 3 for Premier Bracks’ complete speech.
A recent ‘Customer Direct Research Survey’ that was conducted at the 2006 MIFGS found that when visitors at the event were asked “Do you believe that the current location (Carlton Gardens & Royal Exhibition Building) is suitable for staging the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, a resounding 94.8% of visitors surveyed answered ‘yes’.
The suitability of the REB and Carlton Gardens as the MIFGS venue is further endorsed by the comments in Appendix 2, supporting the world heritage listing and general feedback in Appendix 1.
In respect to our agreement with the City of Melbourne, the reduction of hard landscaping in the gardens over the past three years has had a detrimental effect on the look and feel of the event. While the effect has been to the detriment of the event, MIFGS has still worked closely with the City of Melbourne to reduce the impact and quantity of heavy landscaping and general facilities within the gardens.
As can been seen by the table below, the reduction in hard landscaping and facilities within the event from 2003 to 2006 has been a total of 2593 square meters being completely removed from the gardens.
2003 MIFGS 2003 QTY 2006 MIFGS 2006 QTY Total Retail Sites 122 Total Retail Sites 126 Landscape Sites 61 Landscape Sites 45 Toilets in gardens 360 sqm Toilets in gardens 180 sqm Catering in gardens 945 sqm Catering in gardens 630 sqm Corporate Marquee 525 sqm Corp Marquee removed 0 ATM Machine 18 sqm ATM Machine removed 0
The above gardens were not relocated, they were removed from the event thereby reducing the impact which is at the core of clause 1.25 of the licence agreement.
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A report on the 2006 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
SECTION 2 EVENT OVERVIEW
The 2006 event, which took place between 5 – 9 April was attended by 109,610 visitors further substantiating its consistent performance year after year, and consolidating its place as a key fixture on the Australian events calendar. In the eleven years the event has been in existence, a total of 1.3 million people have visited the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens to view the event.
The event’s reputation is consolidated within the industry. MIFGS now features just over 500 exhibitors, representing the cream of the landscape, design, floral and horticultural industries, as well as student participation from TAFE and Universities studying horticulture and floristry all exhibiting at the show. They along with community artists and gardening groups, inspire garden lovers with the latest design and creative ideas.
The show fosters excellence by running professional competitions offering some of the most lucrative prizes available in the country. During the five days of the event, landscape designers, students, florists, artists and community garden clubs compete in a range of disciplines, adding enormous quality to the event.
MIFGS is designated by Tourism Victoria as a ‘Hallmark Event’, sharing this status with other world-class events such as the Australian Open Tennis Championship, the Melbourne Comedy Festival, Victorian Spring Racing Carnival and the Australian Formula One Grand Prix.
Lois Appleby, Chief Executive of Tourism Victoria recently stated that: “The Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show is regarded as one of the best events of its type throughout the world. The event not only delivers tourism benefits via increased visitation by interstate and international visitors, but also provides an opportunity to showcase Australia’s horticultural industry as well as young Australian horticultural talent.”
Each year the event is a financial challenge to implement and maintain its world class standing. Of all the organisations that exhibit at MIFGS only a small proportion actually pay to be there. The event derives no revenue from any of the floral sites inside the Royal Exhibition Building or from garden displays located in the Carlton Gardens. In fact the event provides funding to assist the floral displays inside the building and to a large number of gardens. In addition to this, the event also provides significant dollars to the students of fashion, floristry, horticulture and landscape in both prize money and general monetary support.
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SECTION 3 PROTECTION OF THE GARDENS
The City of Melbourne commissioned a number of reports to identify and assess the venue at the conclusion of the 2005 event. One such report was a Soil Compaction Assessment, which concluded:
“Although some compaction was noted in 2004 within the Carlton Gardens, this has not worsened. There is no threat to the existing trees/vegetation or to soil structural quality from the compaction levels of the soil within the Carlton Gardens. The vegetation within the Gardens exhibit healthy growth and do not display any visible signs of stress, such as those that would result from high levels of compaction. It can therefore confidently be stated state that the compaction levels are within the tolerance levels of this park landscape.” Extract from City of Melbourne, Carlton Gardens Compaction Report – 2005
Similarly the Tree Logic Report put together by the City of Melbourne concluded:
“Having reviewed and noted the comments in the van de Graaff compaction report, I would agree that the vegetation of the Carlton Gardens is not experiencing additional compaction as a consequence of the MIFGS event. However, this does not mean that Council and the event organizers must not be diligent in dealing with the protection of the Gardens and the individual trees during events such as the MIFGS.” Extract from City of Melbourne, Tree Logic Report – 24 April 2004
In being diligent and addressing further the protection of the gardens the following measures were put in place for the 2006 event.
Garden Protection Landscape / Outdoor Feature Exhibitors • All landscape displays where required to submit a detailed plan prior to the event for approval by the City of Melbourne • All landscape exhibitors and outdoor exhibitors attended briefing sessions on garden and tree protection • All landscape and outdoor exhibitors were made aware of the TPZ (tree protection zone) requirements and displays falling within the TPZ were required to submit plans for approval by the City of Melbourne • Details demonstrating the distribution of weight baring loads by appropriately spaced barer and joist methods were documented and submitted to the City of Melbourne • Details of all above ground footings and base plate usage were submitted to the City of Melbourne for approval.
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Please refer to the images below as examples of the hard landscaping sites during the event and then 29 days later.
DURING EVENT 29 DAYS AFTER THE EVENT
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Retail Exhibitors All retail exhibitors were made aware of the TPZ requirements and directed to adhere to the TPZ requirements as laid out in the updated 2006 Exhibitor Manual.
To increase the amount of protective flooring used throughout the retail sites in 2006, MIFGS stipulated that Profloor must be used to cover the small retail sites to ensure complete coverage of their foot traffic areas. There was also a general increase in the amount of Profloor ordered by all retail exhibitors at the 2006 event.
Tree Protection The City of Melbourne identified two key trees for protection in the gardens and no sites were placed in their vicinity.
A site plan of retail displays were submitted and identified all marquees that fell within the TPZ. Event management then sought approval from the City of Melbourne to have water weighting to hold the applicable marquees down in these locations. Displays that fell within the TPZ had no digging or pegging within the zone. All design aspects within the TPZ sat above the ground.
To minimise foot traffic over the root system of trees, IMG protected the trees in one of the three following manners: (1) White chain around the tree base. (2) Profloor around the tree base. (3) Mulch around tree base.
White chain was also placed between the trees located along the central boulevard to prevent individuals from walking between the trees throughout the event.
Corner Protection During Set Up & Pull Down To protect all corners of the gardens, event management utilised water barriers and orange safety barriers to prevent tyres and foot traffic from cutting corners to the detriment of the grass.
General An extensive amount of Profloor was laid around the venue and in particular in front of catering areas and between trees to protect the gardens and tree root systems.
Planning meetings were held with key event contractors and the City of Melbourne to ensure that all contractors were aware of protecting the garden and minimising their impact on both trees and grass.
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Heritage Victoria As part of Heritage Victoria’s permit requirements, a heritage consultant was required to oversee the events activities within the gardens.
Rob Small, the Heritage Victoria consultant concluded in his 2006 report the following: “I believe that the show has had a negligible impact, if any at all, on tree health in Carlton Gardens. The show organisers are exercising strong control and discipline over garden installers and public visiting the site, and the compliance with conditions appears to be exemplary. The show organisers appear open to viable alternatives that will ensure the protection of the heritage features of the Carlton gardens site and its trees.” R W Small - Rob Small Unlimited Consultant 13th April 2006.
Refer to Appendix 3 for the full report to Heritage Victoria.
SECTION 4 ECONOMIC IMPACT AND INDUSTRY BENEFITS AS A RESULT OF MIFGS
MIFGS drives a substantial amount of economic activity into the Victorian economy.
It is estimated that the economic impact of the show generates approximately $9 million to the State, with a substantial proportion generated by interstate and overseas visitors.
In addition to this immediate benefit is the continued economic benefit to exhibitor’s post the event as follow up business is written.
There is an influx of visitors from outside Melbourne which adds to the positive impact of the event on the economy.
Of the companies that exhibit at the event there is a broad representation from around Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.
MIFGS also impacts positively on the horticultural economy directly. Each major display in the Great Hall (Royal Exhibition Building) costs between $8,000 and $10,000 to stage. In the Carlton Gardens each landscape display on average invests between $30,000 and up to $50,000 in their displays.
At this year’s event general works, displays and exhibitions generated $3 million into the economy along with greater employment, marketing and sponsorship opportunities to the industry.
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MIFGS provides significant support to the show’s major stakeholders and key industry partners, the Nursery and Garden Industry of Victoria (NGIV) and Flowers Victoria (FV). These two organisations are major industry employers within the horticultural industry.
The income from MIFGS assists NGIV and FV with employment, production, marketing, promotion and accreditation initiatives. It strengthens the sales and distribution of horticultural products and services.
There are a number groups and delegates that visit the event from around the world to garner ideas, discuss and share event management practices and stimulate relationships with International bodies associated with the industry.
The following countries visited the 2006 Show:
Singapore Government representatives from Singapore visited the event with delegates from a new Singapore Garden Show.
In addition, Singapore Tourism sponsored a gold medal winning landscape display and hosted a Singapore Tourism function.
Malaysia The National Landscape Department of Malaysia representing the Laman Festival visited.
Japan Renowned Japanese Landscape designer and previous Chelsea Flower Show exhibitor Koji Ninomiya attended the event with five Japanese students to participate in collaboration with Melbourne designer Jim Fogarty’s display garden.
New Zealand The event organisers of the Ellerslie Flower Show, New Zealand’s premier flower and garden show, visited the event to investigate possible linkages between their show and MIFGS.
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SECTION 5 STUDENT PARTICIPATION AND DEVELOPMENT AT MIFGS
An important aspect of MIFGS is the show’s role in fostering young talent and providing a platform for professional development.
Each year horticulture and floristry departments of technical colleges and universities exhibit at the show.
Learning institutions which are regular participants in MIFGS include Burnley College (University of Melbourne), Swinburne University of Technology, Box Hill Institute of TAFE, Holmesglen Institute of TAFE, Chisholm Institute of TAFE, Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT), Kangan Batman TAFE and Royal Melbourne Institute of TAFE (RMIT). MIFGS also attracts the participation of private floristry courses and a broader range of horticultural colleges and courses via the annual Fleming’s Student Design Competition, which has been adopted into the curriculum of many courses throughout Australia and New Zealand.
The importance of the show to these institutions can be seen in a couple of ways. Firstly, it provides a forum for students to put their learning into practice. In designing and creating a display for the show, students are presented with issues they will face in their professional lives. Students need to consider a design brief, budgets, staffing and timelines.
Secondly, the event also provides a great opportunity for universities and colleges to market and promote their courses as MIFGS exposes them to a great many people.
A highlight of MIFGS each year is the Fleming’s Student Design Competition.
First seen at MIFGS 2000, the Fleming’s Student Design Competition invites students of landscape design or horticulture to respond to a design brief in the hope that their design is chosen for construction at MIFGS. Four designs are chosen for construction with an overall winner selected at the event, three students from around Australia and one from New Zealand.
Finalists at MIFGS experience substantial professional development as a flow on from the show. Students become ‘project managers’ as they bring their designs to life, managing staff, sub contractors, budgets, design issues and time - ‘real-life’ considerations. Participation in the show also gives students an invaluable opportunity to meet and network with other designers and industry.
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Several finalists in the Fleming’s Student Design Competition have gone on to work co-operatively with colleagues met at MIFGS.
The overall winner of the Fleming’s competition receives a trip for two to the Chelsea Flower Show. A visit to the most reputable horticultural event in the world is another way the event provides professional development.
At the 2006 event, the Nursery & Garden Industry of Victoria’s accreditation scheme presented the Avenue of Achievable Gardens. This area featured gardens that were designed and built by horticulture students from Holmesglen, Chisholm, Burnley University, Northern Melbourne Institute of Tafe and Swinburne TAFE colleges. These students were sponsored by the industry to be at the show.
MIFGS also includes a competition for floristry students in the unique setting of the Great Hall, which is an ideal, sheltered showplace for flower displays. Competitors design to a brief working against the clock. This competition assists competitors develop their professional and project management skills.
Box Hill Institute and the Northern Melbourne Institute of Tafe have embraced the opportunity to have their students participate at MIFGS, making involvement a part of students course curriculum.
The event reaches students beyond landscape, horticulture and floristry courses. Over the past four years MIFGS has included participation by the Fashion Department of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). Final year students create a fashion exhibition that celebrates fashion, flowers and foliage. The project provides students with the chance to work within a new medium and assists them in better understanding their craft.
MIFGS is great ‘work experience’ for all students taking part. It assists students with self-confidence and gives them an opportunity to show their skills to a broader audience. They gain a better understanding of teamwork and develop professional responsibility.
Most of all it’s a celebration of young people and their talent.
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SECTION 6 COMMUNITY GROUP PARTICIPATION IN MIFGS AND THE FORUM PROVIDED BY THE SHOW FOR CHARITY GROUPS
Community & Special Interest Groups Grass roots support of the event is crucial. MIFGS is about inclusion and getting as many people as possible involved. Community groups are passionate about flowers and gardens and are passionate about this event. Many of these groups have long and proud histories and relish the opportunity to give a broader audience an insight into their skills through their MIFGS exhibits.
Importantly, these groups take a sense of ownership from participating in such an event. Community and special interest groups that participate in MIFGS each year include: • Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria affiliate clubs and individual members • Victorian Schools’ Gardens Awards • Friends of the Elms • Victorian Arts Societies • Association of Sculptors of Victoria • Bonsai Federation of Victoria • Victorian Regional Tourism Bodies
All of the above organisations receive complimentary space at the event and in some cases are assisted financially by the event to display at the event.
For many of these groups such as Friends of the Elms, MIFGS gives them a voice that they might not otherwise have. Organisations such as these are often made up of volunteers with incredibly limited resources and so MIFGS is the centrepiece to their yearly marketing, promotional and membership initiatives. Without the show they would not have the capacity to reach over 109,000 people in such in a concentrated manner.
Similarly the event hosts some major exhibitions for our talented artistic community to display and expose their artwork to the visitors that they could not otherwise attract on their own. In any given year some 8 up to 13 Victorian based Art Societies participate in the annual MIFGS art exhibition and approximately 40 individual sculptors represent the Association of Sculptors of Victoria at the event.
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The Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria’s affiliate clubs and individual members from across Victoria also exhibited at MIFGS with 80 hanging basket exhibits and in doing so bring together many RHSV members in their biggest exhibition of the year. Colin Gray, President, Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria stated:
“The Carlton Garden setting and the Exhibition Building are the ideal place to hold this great event. Our Affiliates that attended the show have acclaimed it the best yet and the only place to hold such an event. Both tram and rail transport with access so close to the setting helps everyone, old and young alike.
The Committee and Affiliates and Members of the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria all send their congratulations for a wonderful event. Looking forward to the event being held in the same setting next year, as it would be impossible to find another with all the features that are necessary for such a fantastic week.”
Charity Organisations Each year MIFGS works closely with charity organisations that wish to exhibit at the event to enable them to reach an audience that they might otherwise not have access to. Some of the organisations that have exhibited at MIFGS to build their profile and raise funds have included:-
• Royal Children’s Hospital • Skin Cancer Foundation • Cystic Fibrosis • The Asthma Foundation of Victoria
All of the above organisations receive complimentary space at the event and in some cases the resources of IMG’s event management team is placed at their disposal.
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SECTION 7 VICTORIAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MIFGS
As a major tourist event on the local and national calendar MIFGS also assists and provides benefits to local government and regional tourism organisations.
MIFGS provides complimentary exhibition space for regional tourism bodies to promote their area. At this year’s event the Royal Exhibition Building was host to displays by Macedon Ranges Tourism, Gippsland Tourism, Baw Baw Shire Council, Mansfield, Mt Buller & the High Country Tourism, Yarra Valley Dandenongs and The Ranges and the Phillip Island Tourism Association.
These organisations are hampered by tight financial constraints and by taking part in MIFGS see a genuine opportunity to build tourism and development by reaching an audience that would be infinitely more difficult and expensive to reach without MIFGS. Five days of intense promotion to a huge audience is of enormous benefit to these regional bodies and their respective parks, gardens and natural resources.
The show has further close links to regional Victoria through its association with the Nursery Garden Industry of Victoria, Flowers Victoria and exhibitors.
SECTION 8 VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AT MIFGS
The event is a great arena for the Government to launch projects and initiatives that have a strong community message.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) A significant issue within the community is the import and growing of invasive plants in Victoria.
DPI made a decision to exhibit at MIFGS this year to promote and increase the awareness of invasive plants that can be detrimental to the native plant life and animals within Victoria.
Savewater Water Wise Initiative Given the current push to conserve water in our community the Victorian Government via the Savewater Alliance created an integrated display to show not only water saving measures in gardens but also relevant plantings suitable for our dry climate.
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SECTION 9 BRANDING MELBOURNE/VICTORIA
MIFGS annually conducts an extensive advertising campaign to promote Melbourne and Victoria to enhance the reputation of our state. The advertising campaign is outlined below:
Intrastate Advertising Radio is a key promotional tool within regional Victoria. MIFGS was promoted through the following regional stations: • 3GV Gippsland / Latrobe Valley • 3YB Warrnambool / South-West Victoria • 3CS Colac / Geelong & South-West Victoria • 3HA Hamilton / Western Victoria • 3WM Horsham / Wimmera-Mallee • 3SH Swan Hill / Sunraysia • 3BO Bendigo / Central Victoria • 3BA Ballarat / Central Highlands • 2AY Albury Wodonga • Radio Port Phillip
Regional advertising was further enhanced with our print media partner the Herald-Sun.
National Advertising and Promotions The event advertised and ran promotions in the following interstate key markets: • The Courier Mail in Brisbane. • Brisbane’s radio 4AA broadcast live from the event on Saturday and Sunday for 3 hours daily. • Radio 2GB in Sydney. • The Messenger Papers in Adelaide. • Radio 5AA in Adelaide. • Magic 107 Hobart. • 7LA Launceston. • 7AD Devonport.
The Nine Network’s ‘Garden Gurus’ program ran in Melbourne & Perth on Sunday 16th April and in Sydney on Saturday 29th April. This one hour program covered the 2006 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show in detail and rated as the top show in its time slot.
In addition to the above, the event also advertised extensively in the national gardening print media.
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Overseas Promotions To continue to support the exposure of Melbourne internationally, MIFGS undertook the following promotions:
United Kingdom Fleming’s Nurseries sponsors the MIFGS ‘City of Melbourne Award of Excellence’ Landscape Garden winner to replicate their garden at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Japan MIFGS exhibited at the 2005 Nagoya Flower Show in Japan.
New Zealand MIFGS has once again taken the Fleming’s student design competition to the Ellerslie Flower Show. As part of the competition a winner is selected from the entries from NZ and brought to Melbourne to design a landscape garden.
SECTION 10 CONCLUSION
Victoria is universally known as the Garden State. We love flowers and gardens as reflected by the attendance numbers at MIFGS.
During the week the Carlton Gardens and Royal Exhibition Buildings are filled with pensioner groups, civic and social groups as well as gardening clubs while at weekends young families, couples and singles look for inspiration to transform their backyard, an inner city courtyard or apartment balcony.
There are displays, advice and entertainment for all - from those with the greenest of thumbs to gardening novices.
It is Australia’s most beautiful event and the reason for this goes beyond the exhibits themselves.
The event’s location plays a large part in its beauty. The Carlton Gardens are amongst the most stunning in the State. With its boulevards leading off from the Central Fountain, the Gardens have a symmetry, which makes it ideal for taking in a show of this type.
Meanwhile, the majesty of the Royal Exhibition Building provides a backdrop for a multitude of dazzling floral displays - the colour, perfume and spectacle of thousands of cut blossoms are enriched by such a historic setting.
This year the 2006 event in particular demonstrated the relevance and importance of MIFGS to Melburnians and Victorians. The show gave us the opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate something central to life in Australia – open space, flowers and gardens.
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APPENDIX 1 FEEDBACK
General feedback received for the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is documented below:
W. Ross McDonald, Manager, Royal Exhibition Building “The continuing combined use of the Royal Exhibition Building and the Carlton Gardens by a truly international event provides an excellent, contemporary interpretation of our World Heritage precinct.
As the custodian of the Australia’s only built World Heritage site, Museum Victoria conducts regular research on the largest item in its collection. Recent research on Melbourne’s early International Exhibitions allows a remarkable opportunity to reflect on how the present day Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (MIFGS) continues activities from the 1880 and 1888 exhibitions. The following research extracts demonstrate some of the similarities: -
“A wonderful image of a 'Thai style folly' in the gardens in 1880 (though it may have been in the northern gardens” has been discovered.
“In 1888, the lake (in the southern gardens) was illuminated every evening, while military bands were stationed in the adjacent kiosk. There was also part singing by a double quartet party in a gondola on the Lake, and the South Terrace was illuminated on several occasions.
“On 25th January 1889 a grand bicycle demonstration was held on the South Terrace, all the Melbourne and suburban clubs taking part'.
It is therefore accurate to conclude that “the area around the lake was populated with kiosks and other exhibition elements.”
Vicky Rasa, Box Hill Institute of TAFE “Box Hill Institute is one of Australia's leading Floristry Apprentice training providers and has been participating in the Melbourne International Flower and Garden show since its inception.
The Institute and it’s students have been very successful in numerous competitions at the show, which has provided students and staff with a unique opportunity to showcase their excellent skills to the industry and broader community. The show is an exciting way of communicating to potential florists and landscape designers breadth and depth of work they may be able to create in the future.
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The Institute believes that the global floristry industry acknowledges the venue as truly magnificent and is a showcase of Melbourne's world famous parks and gardens.
It is a venue that typifies and enhances Melbourne's excellence in managing major events and showcasing our beautiful gardens and the flow on effect in terms of people revisiting the gardens is priceless.”
Colin Campbell, Horticultural Journalist and ABC Presenter “As a Queensland gardening presenter and columnist on radio, television and newspaper, I am fully aware of the vast numbers of interstate visitors who come to Melbourne solely for the purpose of attending the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.
It is also worthy of note that the type of person attracted to this show is fully aware of the importance and heritage of the surroundings in which the Event is held. The long-term effect on the Carlton Gardens is, I am sure, minimal. One can only compare this to the world famous Chelsea Flower Show which has been held in the grounds of the Chelsea Hospital for more than 100 years. If that event, which is similar in every respect to MIFGS, had caused serious damage to those grounds, I am sure another venue would have been found years ago. It is obvious that this has not been the case, so why would the Melbourne event cause any more damage than Chelsea.”
Don Burke, Burkes Backyard Magazine, Horticulturalist "I believe MIFGS is one of the best things that has ever happened to Melbourne and have been involved for over 20 years from when it was an event organised by the Victorian Nurserymen's Association. I believe it belongs where it is - at the Carlton Gardens.
The damage to the gardens is inconsequential and the inconvenience to the local residents is a small price to pay for something this wonderful."
Leigh Siebler, President HMA Victoria and HMA Australia “Horticultural Media Association members have staffed an information area at MIFGS for a number of years now. We have received numerous positive comments from visitors complementing the show, enthusing about the fantastic site and the wonderful use of public space for such a popular activity. Many thousands of satisfied Melbournians, and interstaters, support the show and the site where it is held.”
Jamie Durie, Patio Landscape Design/TV Presenter, Gold Medal Winning Exhibitor “It was wonderful to see the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show flourish within the Carlton Gardens and Royal Exhibition once again this year. This event is of international significance and is a primary driver for the landscaping industry in Victoria. The venues add so much to the setting of this
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show as they come together with the displays to the benefit of Melbourne. After 9 or 10 years of hard work in building a show that has become an institution in the world of gardens to Melbourne (the garden state), it would be a terrible shame to have to move it to another venue, especially with the amount of success it has enjoyed over the years and the money and interest in Melbourne's culture that it has generated for the city.”
Jim Fogarty, Jim Fogarty Design, Gold Medal Winning Exhibitor “For the last 10 years I have been involved as an exhibitor at MIFGS. I remember well the state of the Carlton Gardens back then and I can honestly say that I have never seen the park look so good as it is today. For all exhibitors, the old Exhibition Building & Carlton Gardens are a treasure of our history. It is a proud reflection of our heritage that we still use the venue for exhibitions as it was built for last century. The first exhibition displayed lawn mowers and what a great feeling it is to still see well over a hundred thousand people still enjoying the venue for the purpose it was originally built for.
We are a gardening state. We should all be proud of that and proud of a garden show that is now world class in a world class venue.”
Jenny Rickards, Exhibition Coordinator, Association of Sculptors of Victoria Inc. “I was working in the Carlton Gardens today at the set up of the sculpture exhibition that is a part of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. I was struck yet again by the thought that it is such a privilege to display our sculpture in these heritage gardens.
The Association of Sculptors of Victoria first exhibited sculpture with MIF&GS in 1996 and we have been involved with the show ever since. Both the exhibiting sculptors and the flower show organization have grown and learnt over the years – just as the trees have grown in the park.
Each year the standard of the work displayed seems better and the presentation of the work in the garden setting improves. I attribute this to the experience of exhibiting. This experience is supported and refined by the work done by Greg Hooton and his team. Improvements in the management of the show have certainly been ably supported by City of Melbourne staff – I can see this in the wonderful condition of the grounds this year. In spite of the drought that we are still fighting the grounds, the gardens and the trees are looking fantastic.”
Suresh Kumar Rajadurai, Exhibition Director, The Malaysian International Landscape & Garden Festival “The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is the best show of it’s kind in the World. As organizer of the Malaysian International Landscape & Garden Festival, we annually ensure representatives are sent to the show to
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view the superiority of planning, organization, relevance of venue and all other aspects that go into producing a world-class event.
Quite simply the Melbourne Show sets the benchmark for how a show of this nature should be run, and is the model upon which we ourselves base the event preparations.
Congratulations again to Greg and all his team for the superb work you do for both the local and international industry.”
Jane Edmanson, Gardening Expert, 3AW Radio “The site for the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is such a great venue, with its grand avenues, trees and shrubberies. The Gardens are highlighted to many thousands of visitors who would otherwise unlikely be aware of their beauty and significance to Melbourne’s culture.
As a venue for a garden show with Australia-wide importance, it is unsurpassable. It beats the Chelsea Flower Show in England purely because of its magnificent outdoor setting.”
Joel Martin, Marketing Administrator, Swinburne TAFE “The Melbourne International Flower and Garden show is a chance for people from all walks of life to enjoy all facets of gardening. Having the event in the wonderful setting of the Carlton Gardens is a great opportunity for Victoria as a whole to showcase our wonderful city. Swinburne TAFE has been proud to be involved in this event, which we consider a key event not only for garden lovers but the wider City of Melbourne.”
Colin Straub, Floristry Department, NMIT Fairfield “The involvement with MIFGS has been an exciting and rewarding experience for staff and students at NMIT floristry and horticulture departments. To see the skills of our industry showcased in one of Melbourne’s spectacular venues and to feel part of it is encouraging for the future generation.
Our industry can also be pleased that there is a creative and talented next generation to follow. The high standards presented and the achievements of our students are something for which the students and NMIT can be very proud of.
We would like to thank the employers for their continual support throughout. The organization and the venue are of world standards.”
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APPENDIX 2 THE WORLD HERITAGE LISTED ROYAL EXHIBITION BUILDING AND CARLTON GARDENS AND MIFGS
“On July 1 2004 the World Heritage Committee agreed to inscribe the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens in the World Heritage List. This was an extraordinary event for both Victoria and Australia. It was the first time a place in Victoria has been included in the World Heritage List and it is the first time an Australian Historic cultural place has been listed.” Second Reading Speech by Mary Delahunty, Heritage (World Heritage) Bill 2004
MIFGS, as the only event that utilises the building & gardens, played an integral part in the listing process. The function of the entire venue to host an exhibition/event reflects the original purpose of the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens.
MIFGS is mentioned twice in Environment Australia’s submission highlighting how the Royal Exhibition Building continues to be used as a venue for major exhibitions (pg 45, Part 2) and within the Visitor/Tourism Pressures Section (pg. 58, Part 2).
Further endorsement of MIFGS as part of the Heritage listing can be seen by the comments made by Mary Delahunty, Victorian Minister for Women's Affairs and The Arts, in the Heritage (World Heritage) Bill 2004.
“The Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens is not listed because it is a grand piece of architecture, in a nice park, in a magnificent city. It has achieved its status as the only surviving ‘place of industry’ from one of the major international exhibitions of the nineteenth and early twentieth century. This significance is enhanced by the fact that the building and gardens are still used for exhibitions such as the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.”
The Board of MIFGS take great pride in the fact that MIFGS is the only event that continues to use the Royal Exhibition Building and surrounding Carlton Gardens as they were intended back in 1880 when they were built.
In the words of the Victorian Premier in his official welcoming address to visitors of the 2005 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show:-
“It is hard to imagine a better place for a great garden show than the World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens.”
Hon Steve Bracks MP, Premier of Victoria, Official Event Program - Welcome Message
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APPENDIX 3 PREMIER BRACKS OPENING SPEECH
Bob Cameron – Minister for Agriculture Robert Doyle – Leader of the Opposition Cr John So – Lord Mayor of Melbourne David Baker – President, Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show Board – and Board members Greg Hooton – Event Director Larry Davis – Managing Director, KMART – the Presenting Sponsor of the Show Distinguished guests Ladies and gentlemen
It is a great pleasure to join you here for the 2006 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. A pleasure because this event is one of our best. Over the past few months, Victoria has staged some of the biggest sporting and cultural celebrations in the world, The Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam, The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, The L’Oreal Fashion Festival, The most successful Commonwealth Games in history and, last weekend, the Australian Formula One Grand Prix. This year, no other city in the world will hold as many major events as Melbourne. But this event is unique. Unique because it is not only the largest flower and garden show in the southern hemisphere – and one of the Top Five flower and garden shows in the world.
It is also a breathtaking display of creativity and innovation. An event that showcases the very best of our city and State to the world.
I know the Board takes great pride in the fact that this show is the only event that continues to use the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens as they were intended. The building was completed in 1880 for what was promoted as the “first International Exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere”. Two years ago, it became the first building in Australia to win World Heritage Listing – joining the ranks of such landmark structures as the Great Wall of China, the pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal and the Statue of Liberty. It was – according to influential Australian architect Robin Boyd – Melbourne’s “most spectacular building”.
A spectacular building, and a spectacular setting, that help to make this event the success it is today.
More than 1.2 million visitors have looked to this show for inspiration and ideas over the past 11 years.
Last year, those visitors included the event organisers of the San Francisco Flower Show; the Ellerslie Flower Show – New Zealand’s premier flower and garden show and the Malaysian International Landscape and Garden Festival, whose organisers later declared – “Quite simply, the Melbourne Show sets the benchmark for how a show of this nature should be run.”
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A report on the 2006 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
Which brings me to the presentation of two major awards today.
The first is the Don Fleming Student Award. This award is sponsored by one of Australia’s leading wholesale nurseries to nurture rising talent in the landscape and horticultural industries. The winner will receive a trip for two to the Chelsea Flower Show, plus spending money.
And the winner of the 2006 Don Fleming Student Award is …
The second award today is the Savewater! Waterwise Garden Award. This $2,000 cash prize is given to the garden with the most innovative and creative waterwise techniques and plantings.
The Winner of the Savewater! Waterwise Garden Award is …
Congratulations to the winners and congratulations to everyone involved in this world-class event.
It is now my pleasure to declare the 2006 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show open.
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A report on the 2006 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
APPENDIX 4 2006 HERITAGE VICTORIA REPORT
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show 2006 Monitoring of Tree Protection and other Vegetation Management
Introduction This report covers my observations following the installation, conduct and dismantling of show gardens and similar exhibits in Carlton Gardens for MIFGS 2006.
I attended Carlton Gardens during construction of the display gardens and other infrastructure daily from the 27th to 31st March. This is the major period during which the gardens are installed, and certainly covers the most critical phases as far as impacts on trees within the park are concerned. I again inspected the gardens on the final 2 days of installation on 3rd and 4th March leading up to judging on the afternoon of 4th March I was present in the gardens during the first day of public admission.
I inspected the gardens during their dismantling phase on 11th and 12th April, when heavier materials and the structures that lie directly on the ground (including mulch, paving and flooring structures) are removed.
In all of these attendances I was able to observe the critical activities that would most likely contribute to adverse conditions for trees and other vegetative assets.
Tree and other Vegetative Mitigation Actions During the periods under observation, and in the period leading up to the show construction, I observed the following activities which were in place to alleviate any deleterious effect by show activities on the trees and other vegetative assets.
Pre Show Garden Approvals Garden designs were submitted and vetted prior to construction with onsite discussions being held between MIFGS staff, City of Melbourne park rangers and site designers/constructors. In these discussions items such as the no dig policy, minimising of turf damage and load spreading methods were discussed, to create the least impact constructions possible. Where specific concerns with heritage listed features were even remotely of concern, these were flagged with the designers. This included heritage listed beds and listed trees such as the Harpophyllum kaffrum (Kaffir Plum).
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A report on the 2006 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
Agreed tree protection zones had also been identified and these were discussed with the designers/constructors on site and clearly marked on the ground. As a result of these discussions, a folder containing all the designs and email “conversations” was compiled, and I was given a copy of this folder so that I could be satisfied regarding communication and coordination of these matters. It also enabled me to track the construction against these plans and undertakings.
Construction and Dismantling Observations During the construction period garden construction was supervised (in accordance with general guidelines and specific construction agreements) by MIFGS staff, two City of Melbourne park rangers and myself. Tree protection zones were clearly marked and I did not see any case where these zones were breached in terms of construction processes.
I observed no unauthorised variation of the pre construction agreements, and no activities in my view that would have any effect on tree health. On occasions when constructors or designers sought relief from pre construction conditions, I observed that alternative problem solving exercises were sought. I observed only three cases where digging into the surface was granted. There were no unauthorised excavations of any site even of a minor nature. The three site excavations were granted because of safety concerns. (6 posts site 79 Bethany Williamson) significant level miscalculation. (500cm wide trough 15cm deep grading out to zero over 1.5m Site 80 Garden World) and again a safety issue site. (Site A83, 2 posts The Garden Company).
In all 3 cases the digging was no deeper than 30cm and all were outside tree protection zones. The hard line on no digging on the site was an obvious message that garden designers had and this objective of no digging on site should be preserved and achieved. I am satisfied that none of the three incidents where digging occurred could have any impact on tree health whatsoever.
The heritage garden beds were totally excluded from all garden installation and display areas (with the exception of light sculpture being placed in a small area of grass at the Rathdowne Street end of the garden parterre. In all cases where constructions were adjacent to these heritage beds, those parties were informed of the fact and told not to encroach or enter into those beds at all.
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During the dismantling of the gardens supervision was maintained by park rangers, MIFGS staff with myself in a monitoring role. Again no actions were observed that would cause me concern over tree health. While not a heritage issue, and apart from the issue of aesthetics the most apparent damage is to turf areas. A reduction in turf death is apparent this year due to wider use of pro path flooring material, and reduced use of scrim and other coverings under structures where soil, mulch, and other materials are not being placed. Turf recovery is an issue that Melbourne City Council continues to work on and the timing of the show in Autumn fits into traditional turf renovation programmes. I am aware of their concerns regarding patchiness and this well be overcome by use of consistent grass types and broader under sowing of these grasses.
The show organisers are minimising public traffic impacts during the show with a variety of techniques and these should continue. Public traffic impacts appeared to be minimal, and none in my view would have an impact on the health of trees. .
Conclusion I believe that the show has had a negligible impact, if any at all, on tree health in Carlton Gardens. The show organisers are exercising strong control and discipline over garden installers and public visiting the site, and the compliance with conditions appears to be exemplary. The show organisers appear open to viable alternatives that will ensure the protection of the heritage features of the Carlton gardens site and its trees.
R W Small Rob Small Unlimited Consultant 13th April 2006.
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MIFGS REPORT – PART 2 HERITAGE VICTORIA REPORT Page 39 of 139
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show 2006 Monitoring of Tree Protection and other Vegetation Management
Introduction This report covers my observations following the installation, conduct and dismantling of show gardens and similar exhibits in Carlton Gardens for MIFGS 2006.
I attended Carlton Gardens during construction of the display gardens and other infrastructure daily from the 27th to 31st March. This is the major period during which the gardens are installed, and certainly covers the most critical phases as far as impacts on trees within the park are concerned. I again inspected the gardens on the final 2 days of installation on 3rd and 4th March leading up to judging on the afternoon of 4th March.
I was present in the gardens during the first day of public admission.
I inspected the gardens during their dismantling phase on 11th and 12th April, when heavier materials and the structures that lie directly on the ground (including mulch, paving and flooring structures) are removed.
In all of these attendances I was able to observe the critical activities that would most likely contribute to adverse conditions for trees and other vegetative assets.
Tree and other Vegetative Mitigation Actions During the periods under observation, and in the period leading up to the show construction, I observed the following activities which were in place to alleviate any deleterious effect by show activities on the trees and other vegetative assets.
Pre Show Garden Approvals Garden designs were submitted and vetted prior to construction with onsite discussions being held between MIFGS staff, City of Melbourne park rangers and site designers/constructors. In these discussions items such as the no dig policy, minimising of turf damage and load spreading methods were discussed, to create the least impact constructions possible. Where specific concerns with heritage listed features were even remotely of concern, these were flagged with the designers. This included heritage listed beds and listed trees such as the Harpophyllum kaffrum (Kaffir Plum).
Agreed tree protection zones had also been identified and these were discussed with the designers/constructors on site and clearly marked on the ground. As a result of these discussions, a folder containing all the designs and email “conversations” was compiled, and I was given a copy of this folder so that I could be satisfied regarding communication and coordination of these matters. It also enabled me to track the construction against these plans and undertakings.
Construction and Dismantling Observations During the construction period garden construction was supervised (in accordance with general guidelines and specific construction agreements) by MIFGS staff, two City of Melbourne park rangers and myself. Tree protection zones were clearly marked and I did not see any case where these zones were breached in terms of construction processes. Page 40 of 139
I observed no unauthorised variation of the pre construction agreements, and no activities in my view that would have any effect on tree health. On occasions when constructors or designers sought relief from pre construction conditions, I observed that alternative problem solving exercises were sought. I observed only three cases where digging into the surface was granted. There were no unauthorised excavations of any site even of a minor nature. The three site excavations were granted because of safety concerns. (6 posts site 79 Bethany Williamson) significant level miscalculation. (500cm wide trough 15cm deep grading out to zero over 1.5m Site 80 Garden World) and again a safety issue site. (Site A83, 2 posts The Garden Company).
In all 3 cases the digging was no deeper than 30cm and all were outside tree protection zones. The hard line on no digging on the site was an obvious message that garden designers had and this objective of no digging on site should be preserved and achieved. I am satisfied that none of the three incidents where digging occurred could have any impact on tree health whatsoever.
The heritage garden beds were totally excluded from all garden installation and display areas (with the exception of light sculpture being placed in a small area of grass at the Rathdowne Street end of the garden parterre. In all cases where constructions were adjacent to these heritage beds, those parties were informed of the fact and told not to encroach or enter into those beds at all.
During the dismantling of the gardens supervision was maintained by park rangers, MIFGS staff with myself in a monitoring role. Again no actions were observed that would cause me concern over tree health. While not a heritage issue, and apart from the issue of aesthetics the most apparent damage is to turf areas. A reduction in turf death is apparent this year due to wider use of pro path flooring material, and reduced use of scrim and other coverings under structures where soil, mulch, and other materials are not being placed. Turf recovery is an issue that Melbourne City Council continues to work on and the timing of the show in Autumn fits into traditional turf renovation programmes. I am aware of their concerns regarding patchiness and this well be overcome by use of consistent grass types and broader under sowing of these grasses.
The show organisers are minimising public traffic impacts during the show with a variety of techniques and these should continue. Public traffic impacts appeared to be minimal, and none in my view would have an impact on the health of trees.
Conclusion I believe that the show has had a negligible impact, if any at all, on tree health in Carlton Gardens. The show organisers are exercising strong control and discipline over garden installers and public visiting the site, and the compliance with conditions appears to be exemplary. The show organisers appear open to viable alternatives that will ensure the protection of the heritage features of the Carlton gardens site and its trees.
R W Small Rob Small Unlimited Consultant 13th April 2006. Page 41 of 139
MIFGS Superintendent's Horticultural Operations Report - 2006 Attachment 4 Agenda Item 5.1 Marketing and Events Committee 13 June 2006
Non Location / Grading of Compliance Date Nature of Problem Immediate Action For Future Action Comments Description Breach No.
Reported to Harry the Hirer to Harry to check site Complied. No Marquee peg inside remove and replace with plan measurements 1 23/03/2006 A28 Retailer Medium damage to TPZ. weight. Peg only partially in more closely 2007 for irrigation. ground removed by hand. TPZ areas.
Edging peg inside A57 Landscape 2 29/03/2006 TPZ to support Asked to remove. Medium Complied. Industries timber edge.
Metal frame for Complied. No ornamental flag Removed pegs and replaced 3 29/03/2006 B39 Tessalaars Medium damage to display pegged inside with sand bags. irrigation. TPZ.
Two holes dug Mix up with without proper communication of site No damage to A83 Ekersley 4 31/03/2006 consultation of event Reported to IMG. Medium no. In future will be irrigation, Designs organiser or site checked first with site outside TPZ. superintendent. superintendent.
Timber brace with Asked to remove and reminded Complied. No star picket inside 1m site overseer of significance of damage to 5 03/04/2006 B74-75 Kmart Minor of irrigation line linemarking and cost if irrigation, marking damaged. outside TPZ
Wacker Plate gravel Near peace garden, asked to 6 03/04/2006 bed compaction A25 Retailer Minor Complied. remove display. display.
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Non Location / Grading of Compliance Date Nature of Problem Immediate Action For Future Action Comments Description Breach No.
Asked to remove and reminded Complied. No Marquee pegs inside B76 Lumeah site overseer of significance of damage to 7 04/04/2006 irrigation line Minor Limestone linemarking and cost if irrigation, marking. damaged. outside TPZ.
Removed and left a note in Complied. No Ornamental flags 8 04/04/2006 A34 Retailer regards to pegging inside 4.5m Medium damage to pegged inside TPZ. of trees. irrigation.
Check with Citywide Branch was tree care height of Cut remainder of branch to less than 1.5cm Small Oak tree branches over path 9 05/04/2006 A27 Retailer remove damage, reported to Significant diameter and branch snapped. too low for IMG. should repair pedestrians - may OK. need lifting for safety.
4 wheel motorbike very close against Removed away from roots 10 05/04/2006 A25 Retailer Minor Complied. tree on top of when asked. exposed tree roots.
Small dome two man B52 The tent pegged inside Asked to remove pegs and 11 05/04/2006 Gathering - Medium Complied. TPZ at rear of replace with weights Retailer marquee.
Damage to Melia For 2007 consider a Damage was spp. tree bark water barrier next to less than 5cm Citywide tree care to trim any 12 12/04/2006 scrapped off by B10 Landscape Significant tree to prevent truck square and loose barkReported to IMG. vehicle or tipper body getting to close to should repair during bump out. tree. OK.
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Low Significance Breach Medium Significance Breach Significant Breach Requiring little to no re-instatement Requiring only minor re-instatement Requiring major re-instatement Immediate action to rectify will only partly allevite issue Immediate action will alleviate issue Immediate action cannot alleviate issue / repair damage / repair damage Examples - Examples - Examples - Damage to irrigation by not following pegging guidelines Tying anything to tree canopy or trunk Tent pegs/Edging pegs inside TPZ in line marked area. Any structure forcing tree canopy or limb Wheel mark impression damage to turf Damage to tree trunk, limbs or roots inside TPZ under pressure Exhibitors & contractors bringing dogs on Damage to Park assets (eg light poles, Furniture, Drink Compaction Damage (vehicle or pedestrian) site F'tains, pathways,bollards etc) Vehicle or heavy equipment left in TPZ Spillage of water onto grass or into ponds Hole Drilling / Excavation without approval Damage to irrigation accidentally by no line marking or Removal or scaring of turf from any surface without after being given guidance by Event organiser, Site approval superintendent or Citywide parkcare staff Spillage of unknown liquid onto lawn or in ponds Star Pickets inside TPZ Not complying with Organisers or Park Rangers directions
I have used low, medium significant grades so not to confuse with re-instatement levels 1,2,3
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Reinstatement Carlton Gardens following MIFGS 2006
Attachment 5 Agenda Item 5.1 Marketing and Events Committee 13 June 2006
SPECIFICATION
FOR
REINSTATEMENT WORKS AT
CARLTON GARDENS
FOLLOWING
MIFGS
2006
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Reinstatement Carlton Gardens following MIFGS 2006
Background
Carlton Gardens are one of Melbourne’s finest gardens. Surrounding the historical Exhibition Building and known for the Exhibition Fountain, tree lined avenues, numerous floral beds and large open lawn areas, the gardens are an important part of Melbourne’s heritage.
Each year in April the Carlton Gardens and the Exhibition Building host the world renowned Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. This is when businesses from the gardening, florist and turf industries come together to showcase their products and services.
The garden show runs for just 5 days, however the impact on the gardens is felt over a 3 week period as marquees are erected, landscape displays installed and vehicle and pedestrian movement is at a maximum.
This specification is for the reinstatement of the gardens following the show.
Process
Initial site inspections of the park will be held during the week ended Monday 20 March 2006 to enable prospective tenderers to familiarise themselves with the area and the works required.
Tenderers will then be required to provide their quote on the form provided by noon, Monday 27 March 2006.
The result of the tender will be notified to all tenderers by noon, Thursday 30 March 2006.
As the amount of damage may vary, a second inspection will be held post event Thursday 13 April 2006. At this time the bump -out of the show will be virtually complete and the successful tenderer and the council officer will be able to confirm the areas involved in each level of reinstatement, and the extent of the works required.
The works may commence on Saturday 15 April 2006. All works are to be completed by Friday 21 April 2006.
Permitted hours of work are to conform to EPA Regulations.
Inspection Schedule
Interim inspections will be held on Thursday 20 April 2006 and Thursday 27 April 2006 to monitor and agree on progress of the Works.
The Practical Completion inspection will be held on Friday 5 May 2006 at which time Practical Completion will be agreed, and 80% of the lump sum will be paid.
An interim inspection will be held during the week ended Friday 19 May 2006 to monitor and agree on the progress of the reinstated areas.
The Final Completion inspection will be held Friday 16 June 2006 at which time Final Completion will be agreed, and the balance (20%) of the lump sum will be paid.
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Reinstatement Carlton Gardens following MIFGS 2006
Specification
GENERAL
There will be three levels of reinstatement required. These areas are identified on the attached plan and will be identified during the initial site inspection
Level 1 – Light scarification, top dressing and over seeding as required.
Level 2 – Cultivate to 50mm, blend to existing levels, top dress as required to adjust levels and provide suitable seed bed, hydro-seed.
Level 3 – Reduce levels to match surrounds and as directed, lay instant turf.
The Exhibition Fountain lawn will need to be scarified as required.
All lawn areas will be verti-drained before specific renovation works begin.
SECTION 1 SITE PREPARATION AND DECOMPACTION
1.01 REMOVAL OF EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL
1.01.1 It is expected that following the bump out the site will be free of all foreign materials and objects. However if during the reinstatement works any non-suitable material is found this is to be removed by hand raking the site and disposed of at the end of each day. 1.01.2 Up to two skips of maximum capacity 6 cu m each may be left in the gardens at the points designated in the site plan for the duration of the works. These skips must be emptied regularly and must be no more than ¾ full at the end of each working day. The area surrounding these skips must be swept clean at the end of each working day.
1.02 COMPACTED SOILS
All lawn areas on the site will be subject to varying degrees of compaction during the event.
1.02.1 Lawn areas are to be to be verti-drained to within a maximum depth of 150mm. It should be noted that areas under tree drip lines should be verti-drained to maximum depth of 75mm as to minimise damage to surface tree roots. Any rocks, sticks or other foreign material brought to the surface during this process to be removed as soon as possible. 1.02.2 Prior to decompaction works taking place, the contractor must lia ise with the City of Melbourne Open Space contractor (‘OSC’), Citywide Service Solutions, to identify underground irrigation services. The City of Melbourne open space contractor will ‘flag’ these lines and sprinklers in an attempt to minimise damage to irrigation systems. 1.02.3 The contractor should also carry out a ‘Dial Before You Dig’ to identify other services such as electrical boxes which may be within the decompaction zone.
1.03 LEVELLING/TOPSOIL
All affected lawn areas shall be made level to suit the surrounding turf and pathways and are to be shaped to fit in with the existing landscape.
1.03.1 Areas requiring level 1 treatment shall be lightly scarified, with any bare areas cultivated, top dressed and over-seeded as required. 1.03.2 Areas requiring Level 2 treatment will be cultivated to a depth of 50mm and top-dressed as required to provide a smooth and level seedbed suitable for hydro-seeding.
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1.03.3 Areas requiring Level 3 treatment will be cut back, cultivated to a depth of 50mm and top-dressed as required to provide a smooth and level surface suitable for the installation of instant turf. 1.03.4 The topsoil to be used to re-level areas and to provide a suitable growing medium for new seed or turf shall be “Lawn and Garden Blend Organic Soil” from The Green Centre, Stadium Drive Keilor Park, 03 9331 5300, or similar approved by Contract Manager.
SECTION 2 TURF RENOVATIONS – SEEDING, INSTANT TURF & FERTILISING
2.01 SEEDING
2.01.1 Areas requiring level 1 treatment will be seeded at a rate of 3kg per 100m2 using Trio Pro seed consisting of Colloseum, Arena and Matilda turf type fine leaf rye grasses , or similar approved by Contract Manager. 2.01.2 Areas requiring Level 2 treatment shall be hydro-seeded .at a rate of 3kg per 100m2 using Trio Pro seed consisting of Colloseum, Arena and Matilda turf type fine leaf rye grasses, or similar approved by Contract Manager.
2.02 INSTANT TURF
Areas requiring Level 3 treatment shall have instant turf installed.
2.02.1 Instant turf shall be provided by City of Melbourne and delivered to site under instructions from the successful tenderer. 2.02.2 The turf rolls will be delivered to the site moist and installed immediately. Once turf is on site, the tenderer is responsible for the turf health.
2.03 FERTILISING
2.03.1 At the time of hydro seeding ‘Growth Products’ ‘Starter Plus’ or equivalent at NPK 8-14-4, shall be added to the seed mix and applied at the rate of 1ltr per 100m2. 2.03.2 As well as fertilising renovated areas, the contractor will fertilise the entire grass area using Lebanon ‘NX Pro’ or equivalent at NPK 22-2-10 at a rate of 240kg per hectare, following the reinstatement works
2.04 IRRIGATION
2.04.1 The contractor shall lia ise with the OSC to ensure that automatic irrigation system is operated in conjunction with the works schedule, however any additional hand irrigation required will be the responsibility of the works contractor. 2.04.2 If exemptions are required for watering of turf out of restricted times during water restrictions, the contractor shall obtain these exemptions on behalf of the council.
SECTION 3 FOLLOW UP WORKS
3.01 HERBICIDE TREATMENT
Six weeks after the renovation works have been completed, the entire turf area of Carlton Gardens South will be sprayed with Methar-Tri-Kombi or equivalent at product specified rate.
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3.02 IRRIGATION AND MOWING
General irrigation and mowing shall be carried out by the Open Space contractor. The works contractor shall liaise closely with the OSC to ensure that the timing of these tasks suits the progress of the works.
3.03 ADDITION WORKS
Autumnal leaf fall during reinstatement is the responsibility of the reinstatement contractor until completion of works, i.e. Friday 5 May 2006, after which time it becomes part of normal maintenance which will be undertaken by the OSC.
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SOIL COMPACTION ASSESSMENT OF THE CARLTON GARDENS
for
The City of Melbourne
Commissioned by:
Rodney Woodcock Melbourne Parks & Gardens
by
Robert H.M. van de Graaff PhD (Soil Sci.)
Simone Lang BSc (Env Sci)/BA
of
van de Graaff and Associates Pty Ltd 14 Linlithgow Street Mitcham, Vic., 3132
May 2006
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TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 2
1.0 INTRODUCTION...... 4
2.0 APPROACH AND WORK DONE...... 5
3.0 BULK DENSITY ...... 6
4.0 EFFECTS OF COMPACTION ON SOIL PROPERTIES ...... 6
4.1 Reduction of Pore Space...... 6
4.2 Shift in Pore Size Distribution...... 6
4.3 Reduction of Infiltration ...... 6
4.4 Reduction in Aeration...... 7
4.5 Soil Temperatures...... 7
5.0 INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS...... 7
5.1 Soil Bulk Density...... 7
5.2 Soil Penetrometer Interpretation...... 8
6.0 SOIL COMPACTION LEVELS ...... 13
6.1 Are Current Compaction Levels Causing Stress on Established Trees and Turf?...... 13
6.2 Are the Compaction Levels Within Expected and Acceptable Levels for a Park Environment? ..14
7.0 RECOMMENDATIONS...... 14
7.1 Regular Soil Compaction Testing Regime ...... 14
7.2 Suggestions to Decrease the Risk of Increasing Compaction...... 14
9.0 CONCLUSIONS ...... 15
APPENDIX 1 ...... 1
Bulk Density and Penetrometer Results ...... 1
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY van de Graaff and Associates carried out an assessment of the Carlton Gardens in order to assess the current level of soil compaction and the resultant potential impact on trees and existing vegetation within the gardens. Field work was carried out on the 4th and 5th of May, 2006. In the past two years van de Graaff and Associates have carried out similar investigations; on the 20th of May in 2003, the 31st of May in 2004, and the 14th of June 2005.
As with the previous years, the aims of the investigation were as follows: i. To ascertain whether compaction levels in the Carlton Gardens are of immediate concern, particularly with respect to stress on existing vegetation. ii. To ascertain whether the compaction levels are within the expected and acceptable levels for a park landscape. iii. To determine the possible contributing factors that may cause or exacerbate compaction within the Carlton Gardens, (eg. event loadings). iv. To implement the annual testing regime recommended by van de Graaff and Associates in 2003. v. To outline any horticultural works that may be necessary for amelioration based on the results of the investigation.
The investigation in 2005 was guided by findings from previous years with respect to test site selection. In 2004, site selection was based on first selecting a number of sites within the Gardens that appeared to suffer from compaction, retarded drainage or waterlogging and poor growth of the grass and to contrast these with sites that appeared to be in a healthy state. This was considered to be preferable to a random sampling. In 2003 sites were selected for testing which represented areas expected to have been subject to a range of traffic levels, both under day to day usage and under the special concentrated trafficking due to the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show held in April that year.
This year testing included many of the sites from previous years however a number of sites were shifted to reflect the changes in the location of the various aspects of the 2006 International Flower and Garden Show. As with 2005, this was an attempt to determine more directly the maximum possible effect of the show on the areas utilised the most during the show. These sites were chosen as they received the most traffic and would thus be the most vulnerable to compaction.
This year, as with sampling in 2003, and 2005, two sites (sites #15 & #16) were selected in the northern section of the gardens, which is not included as part of the Flower & Garden Show. These control sites were chosen to represent a site with poor grass growth and bare patches of earth and a site with relatively healthy-looking grass growth.
Our investigation in 2005 showed that: i. The soils at the Carlton gardens are minimally compacted ii. The areas that are more compacted are not necessarily recognisable, however, those that appear compacted generally are. iii. Compaction levels in some areas may be strongly influenced by drainage, that is more poorly drained sites are more prone to compaction. iv. The fact that compaction levels are currently low and have not been adversely affected by intense pedestrian and vehicular traffic at certain times of the year is almost definitely due to moisture content of the soils during intense periods being low. v. The testing regime should follow seasonal climatic conditions more closely so as to allow better comparison with previous year’s results by testing when soils are approaching field capacity.
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The statements above apply to the current situation in 2006 as determined in this report.
The effect of soil moisture content affects penetrometer resistance relatively strongly, but much less so bulk density. Due to the large variation in moisture content between sampling events, and also in instrumentation, penetrometer measurements are less suitable for comparison on a year to year basis. They are more applicable to comparison on site to site basis within each year. Bulk density measurements are a more accurate means for assessing compaction levels generally.
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
Van de Graaff and Associates carried out an investigation into the levels of compaction at the Carlton Gardens, Melbourne, to assess the necessity for any remedial activity and/or soil amelioration procedures. The effects of peak trafficking periods caused by event loadings such as the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show were considered. This was carried out by testing areas designated a specific function for the Show such as the ‘Stone Henge,’ assumed to receive a heavy loading and areas designated ‘catering’ where it is expected the ground received much pedestrian traffic. These were compared and contrasted with the results with others assumed to be rarely frequented, e.g. on grassed areas away from entrances and not used as part of the Show. Test sites #11, #13 & #14 were in different locations to 2005 to reflect changes in the layout of the Flower & Garden Show.
Figure 1 below details the layout of the Carlton Gardens and the location of testing sites.
Figure 1 Map of Carlton Gardens and location of compaction testing (test sites indicated by numbered circles).
15 & 16 in Northern end of gardens (control sites)
11 8
6 5 4 13 7
9 14 3 10 1 12 2
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2.0 APPROACH AND WORK DONE
Our field investigation was carried out on 3rd of May, 2006. As with previous years, this involved soil bulk density sampling, penetrometer testing, and an assessment of other site conditions observed. Thirty-two separate bulk density samples were taken at sixteen different sites. In addition, ten penetrometer measurements were taken at each of the sixteen sites. Site selection was primarily informed by testing from previous years and the layout of the International Flower and Garden Show. This was in order to provide a good general assessment of the gardens and allow for comparison between sites and with previous years testing.
The soil profile compaction was measured with a hand-held penetrometer to a maximum depth of around 10cm. This was different from the previous years. In 2005 the penetrometer used was also handheld, however was only able to measure the top few centimetres. In years prior to 2005, a penetrometer in use by the Department of Civil Engineering of Melbourne University could be borrowed and it is similar to the penetrometer purchased for this year’s testing.
Table 1, below presents a general description of each site and field notes.
Table 1 Notes taken at individual test sites.
Location Notes 1 Very wet site. Areas around appear to have been covered- grass in poor condition. Prolific worms. Area surrounding have new turf. 2 Grass in poor condition- has been flattened (covered) drier than site 1. Prolific worms. 3 Grass in good health. Appears to have received little traffic. Prolific worms. 4 Fairly dry- moderately healthy looking grass- has been covered. Area beside has some gravel present at surface. Prolific worms. 5 Beside lake. Much drier than any other site. No worms visible. Area appears heavily compacted and trafficked not as result of the F & G Show but due to general park use. 6 As for site #5. Drier & fewer worms than other sites. 7 Grass mostly dead, regrowth doing well. Much has been re-sown. Very wet, lots of worms, appears to be a broken/leaking sprinkler in the vicinity. Looks like bark mulch has been laid down at surface and taken away after Show. Lots of un-decomposed leaf litter at surface. 8 Good site. New turf seems to have been laid down pre-event. Grass healthy, lots of worms. 9 Patchy re-sown grass and sections of turf. Wet site, lots of worms.
10 Patchy new turf and re-sown grass. Very wet as there is little grass to take it up. Area tested beside new turf. 11 Looks seriously trampled. Areas have been aerated and grass is mostly dead however new re-sown grass is well established. Some new turf also. 12 Sections of new turf have been laid down, some re-sowing also. Lots of worms, very wet. Some scattered patches of screenings and woodchips at surface 13 New turf (buffalo grass) over entire area. Grass very healthy. 14 Aerated & re-sown area. New growth doing well through old (dead) root mat. 15 ‘Good’ control site, thick healthy buffalo grass. Quite dry. 16 ‘Bad’ control site, bare and patchy grass growth.
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This year testing was carried out soon after the Flower and Garden Show when the gardens had little time to recover. In previous years, testing was carried some time after the event. Therefore, the gardens appeared in much worse condition to previous years.
3.0 BULK DENSITY
Soil bulk density is defined as the weight of a unit volume of dry soil, including the solid and the pore volumes1. Thus compaction of a soil directly influences its bulk density. Bulk density governs several soil characteristics such as soil strength, infiltration rate and macropore space. All of these soil characteristics have horticultural impacts.
Total pore space in a soil is inversely proportional to bulk density by the following equation:
BulkDensity TotalPoreSpace(%) =100 − 2 ()2.65Mg /m 3 ×100
Thus, as bulk density increases total pore space in the soil decreases. This is the basis for soil compaction. In addition, the structural aggregates (peds) of the soil are crushed and the mineral or primary particles are pressed together or rearranged to form a denser matrix. This can have deleterious effects on infiltration rates and soil oxygenation as well as availability of water, all of which will impact on plant growth.
4.0 EFFECTS OF COMPACTION ON SOIL PROPERTIES
4.1 Reduction of Pore Space
As pore space is reduced by compaction, the soil structure begins to change. Average pore diameter is reduced, as is the pore space volume. This increases the resistance of the soil to root penetration, as the majority of root channels weave their way through soil pore space as this is the path of least resistance. Depending upon the degree of original pore space, compaction may result in a decrease in water holding capacity and oxygenation in the profile.
4.2 Shift in Pore Size Distribution
Compaction changes the distribution of pores within the profile. A naturally well-aggregated soil is one where the pore size varies from large air-filled macro pores to small micro pores that usually contain water3. This allows for rapid movement of air and water throughout the natural profile, providing adequate aeration and transport of water and nutrients to the root zone.
A soil that has undergone compaction may suffer interruption to this transport system through loss of structure. However, limited compaction can actually increase the water holding capacity of a soil profile, by contributing to the existence of more water holding micro pores as the larger air holding macro pores are crushed.
4.3 Reduction of Infiltration
When compaction results in the loss or reduction of macropore space, the profile often suffers from excessive drying. This is due to the fact that the proportion of macropore space with respect to the total pore space within a profile, largely governs the rate of infiltration.
1 Craul, Phillip J, (1992), “Urban Soil in Landscape Design,” John Wiley & Sons, Inc. p15. 2 1 Mg equals 1 tonne. The density of the solid phase of the soil is approximately 2.65 tonne/m3. 3 Ibid p. 226.
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4.4 Reduction in Aeration
Gaseous diffusion within a soil profile can largely only occurs in the macropore fraction of total pore space. Thus, when the macropore volume is reduced, and the diffusion pathways made more complex as a result of compaction, there is often a decrease in soil oxygenation, and an accompanying increase in carbon dioxide levels.
4.5 Soil Temperatures
The reduction of pore space as a result of compaction means that the soil particles are put into greater contact with each other. This contact means that the profile as a whole becomes a better conductor of heat.
5.0 INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
5.1 Soil Bulk Density
Guidelines for interpreting dry bulk densities of soils are suggested by Handreck and Black4, which are reproduced below. The appropriate column for comparison with the surface soil materials in the Carlton Gardens would be the middle column “LOAMS” and in some areas the left column “SANDY SOILS”.
Table 2 General relationship between bulk density, soil texture and plant growth conditions Bulk Density SANDY SOILS LOAMS CLAY SOILS (g/cm3 OR g/mL OR tonne/m3) <1.0 - Seedbed conditions Satisfactory 1.0-1.2 - Satisfactory Satisfactory 1.2-1.4 Very open Satisfactory Some too compact 1.4-1.6 Satisfactory Some too compact Very compact 1.6-1.8 Most too compact if BD Very compact Extremely compact above 1.7 >1.8 Very compact Extremely compact -
Duffy and McClurkin (19745) found that soil bulk density was the most important factor in determining the success or failure of the planting of pine trees.
Table 3 Relationship between Bulk Density and Loblolly Pine Planting Failure6 Bulk Density (g/cc) Planting Success % 1.25 – 1.34 Successful 100% 1.34 – 1.44 Mostly Successful 60% 1.45 – 1.54 Partial Failure 33% 1.55 – 1.65 Mostly Failure 10% >1.65 Total Failure 0%
It needs to be remembered that plant species vary in their response to high bulk density. Generally, trees cope better with compaction than shallow rooted annuals or perennials.
4 Handreck, Kevin, and Black, Neil, (2002). Growing Media for Ornamental Plants and Turf. 3rd Ed. UNSW Press Ltd, UNSW Sydney, NSW. 2052 5 Duffy, P.D., and McClurkin D.C., (1974). Difficult eroded planting sites in north Mississippi evaluated by discriminant analysis. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 38, p.676-678. 6 After Duffy and McClurkin (1974).
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The table below outlines how the topsoil (0.5cm) within the Carlton Gardens is rated by Handreck & Black and Duffy & McClurkin based on the bulk density determined through sampling.
Table 4 Bulk Density readings at Carlton Gardens, Melbourne 3rd May, 2006.
TEST BULK DENSITY Duffy-McClurkin Handreck & Black LOCATION (g/cc) Rating Rating LOAM 1 1.41 Mostly successful Some too compact 2 1.45 Partial failure Some too compact 3 1.11 100% Successful Satisfactory 4 1.14 100% Successful Satisfactory 5 1.04 100% Successful Satisfactory 6 1.49 Partial failure Some too compact 7 1.42 Mostly successful Some too compact 8 1.32 100% Successful Satisfactory 9 1.31 100% Successful Satisfactory 10 1.51 Partial failure Some too compact 11 1.37 Mostly successful Satisfactory 12 1.36 Mostly successful Satisfactory 13 1.35 Mostly successful Satisfactory 14 1.39 Mostly successful Satisfactory 15 1.21 100% Successful Satisfactory 16 1.45 Partial failure Some too compact
As is demonstrated in the table above, sites 2, 6, 10 and 16 had the greatest bulk density readings and thus received the worst rating by the Duffy-McClurkin system out of all sites tested. Out of these, sites 6 and 10 had the highest bulk density. Site 6 was beside the lake and not used for anything specific as part of the Flower and Garden Show, however it is assumed (based on field observations) that this area receives plenty of pedestrian traffic for aesthetic reasons. Site 10 and site 2 are on the corner of where paths cross. These areas were used for the Flower and Garden Show and would receive more pedestrian traffic throughout the year as a result of pedestrians cutting corners.
There are large numbers of visitors who traffic the lawns of the Carlton Gardens as a result of the International Flower and Garden Show each year. In addition, there are very intense pressures exerted on the grass below the display tents and catering tents. Again this year the aim of testing was to specifically inspect these areas. The Flower Show is not adversely affecting compaction levels in the Carlton Gardens. The explanation, as with other years lies in the fact that soils were quite dry in the weeks prior and the days during the event. As can be seen in table 5 further on in this report, the climate in the period leading up to the event was drier this year than in either 2003 or 2004, and a little wetter than in last year.
Dry soils are much better able to withstand the pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The grass may be damaged itself, partly by the traffic and partly by a long period of shading, but the soil below remains fairly undisturbed.
Therefore the great strength of the soil when it is dry should always be a management factor in planning events like the International Flower and Garden Show.
5.2 Soil Penetrometer Interpretation
The method for testing penetrometer resistance was again different to the equipment used in previous years however the most superior so far. This year testing was carried out with a larger
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hand-held penetrometer that is able to measure further into the soil profile. The instrument employed this year is an upgrade on last year’s hand-held instrument. Where new turf has been laid down it is important to measure the underlying soil which is possible as the penetrometer used can be inserted up to 60cm depth. However, as the top layers of a soil profile become compacted first, we measured approximately the top 10cms. The penetrometer measures the resistance to a force being pushed through the top few centimetres of soil. As with the methods employed in previous years, the penetrometer readings can only be interpreted taking soil moisture into account as penetrometer resistance is strongly influenced by soil moisture content.
The penetrometer proved much as efficient as that used in 2005. Sampling included two control sites within a portion of the gardens that is not officially part of the Flower and Garden Show (sites #15 & #16). Fourteen sites within the area utilised for the Flower & Garden Show were sampled and 10 readings were taken at each site. As with previous years, the variability in soil moisture content within the Carlton Gardens was high. The first day of testing was interrupted by rain storms and testing was completed on the following day. Combined with significant recent rainfall in the weeks prior to testing, the site was quite wet, particularly the southern end and shadier regions of the gardens.
Both of the control sites in the northern section of the gardens produced higher average readings than all 14 other sites. The ‘bad’ control on average returned higher penetrometer readings than the ‘good’ control site. Site #5 beside the lake returned the highest result.
The penetrometer measured resistance to a depth of about 10 cm and the highest value recorded represented the densest layer within this depth. The bulk density cores on the other hand are 5cm high and represent a layer of 5cm thickness. These core samples were taken mostly at a depth between 5 and 10 cm by removing the topsoil and creating a shallow sampling pit.
Figure 2 illustrates the relationship between moisture content and penetrometer resistance for the present investigation.
Figure 2 Correlation between soil penetrometer resistance and moisture content.
Average Penetrometer readings as a function of Moisture Content 60.00 50.00 40.00 30.00 20.00 10.00 y = -4.7165x + 41.212 Moisture Content(%) Moisture 0.00 0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 Penetrometer Resistance(MPa)
We felt confident that the soil penetrometer readings accurately reflect the comparative bulk density of the soils at Carlton Gardens. It will be true so long as the moisture content is not greatly different between sampling sites.
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The horticultural industry views a soil requiring less than 1MPa of force to penetrate via cone penetrometer to be ideal, and soils requiring greater than 2.3 MPa of force to penetrate as seriously compacted7.
Both control sites in the north of the gardens are seriously compacted and one site on the edge of the lake. Not one site designated particular use for the International Flower and Garden Show is seriously compacted.
This is a good indication that, even though certain areas of the Gardens are experiencing some compaction as a result of traffic, the current level of compaction overall is minimal. The shaded portion of the dates in the Table represent the period during which the Flower Show was held.
Table 5 Melbourne daily rainfall preceding testing in the Carlton Gardens in the years 2003 to 2006.
Mar 2003 2004 2005 2006 Apr 2003 2004 2005 2006 20 3.6 0.0 0 0 1 0.0 0.0 0 8.2 21 1.2 0.0 0 0 2 1.6 1.6 0 0.4 22 3.6 0.0 0 0 3 0.6 0.6 0.2 0 23 0.6 0.0 0 0 4 0.0 0.0 0.8 0 24 0.0 0.0 0 0 5 0.0 0.0 0 0 25 0.0 0.0 0.2 0 6 0.0 0.0 0 6.0 26 0.0 0.0 0 0 7 0.0 0.0 0 0.6 27 0.0 0.0 0 0 8 4.6 0.0 0 0 28 0.0 0.0 0.4 0 9 1.0 0.0 0 0 29 0.0 6.8 0 0 10 0.0 0.0 0 0 30 0.0 1.6 0 0 11 13.8 0.4 6.2 0 31 0.0 0.4 0 0 12 14.8 0.0 0 0 Average 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.0 Average 2.4 1.6 1.0 1.27 March April daily daily rainfall rainfall
7 Private communication – Dr. Peter May, University of Melbourne, Burnley (See our report of 2003).
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Table 6 Melbourne daily rainfall preceding compaction testing.
Daily rainfall 2 weeks preceding compaction testing 2003 (7/5 to 20/5) 2004 (1/05 to 31/05) 2005 (1/06 to 2006 (20/05 to 14/06) 3/05) 0.0 2.6 0.4 7.2 0.0 2.4 0 0.4 1.4 0.0 0 0 0.8 1.4 0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 2.8 1.2 10.2 0 1.4 8.4 1.2 1.8 0.0 1.8 13.4 1.0 3.6 0.6 0.2 11.4 2.8 0.0 0 3.6 3.2 0.0 8 6.4 Average daily 1.1 1.3 2.4 2.3 rainfall for 2 week period (mm) prior to testing
The rainfall in the two weeks prior to testing was similar to that in 2005 and far greater than in other years prior to testing. As with other years however, the rainfall in the period leading up to the International Flower and Garden Show was insignificant and thus the bearing strength would have been great.
As maintained in previous reports, penetrometer resistance is a useful tool for monitoring the compaction of soil at comparable moisture content levels. It is therefore desirable to choose periods for monitoring when moisture levels are constant and similar throughout successive years.
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Table 7 Site results arranged by decreasing moisture content Site # BD MPa Moisture Site quality judged in the field Content 3 1.11 1.22 54.29 Grass in good health. Appears to have received little traffic. 8 1.32 0.91 41.54 Good site. Grass healthy. 9 1.31 1.88 38.16 Patchy re-sown grass and sections of turf. Wet site. 5 1.04 3.54 36.73 Much drier than any other site. Area appears heavily compacted and trafficked due to general park use. 12 1.36 1.28 35.83 Sections of new turf have been laid down, some re-sowing also. Very wet. 13 1.35 1.46 35.83 New turf (buffalo grass) over entire area. Grass very healthy. 4 1.14 1.74 34.73 Fairly dry- moderately healthy looking grass- has been covered. 11 1.37 1.58 34.66 Looks seriously trampled. Areas have been aerated and grass is mostly dead however new re-sown grass is well established. 14 1.39 0.90 34.07 Aerated & re-sown area. New growth doing well through old (dead) root mat. 1 1.41 1.00 32.88 Very wet site, grass in poor condition. 7 1.42 1.04 32.06 Grass mostly dead, regrowth doing well. Much has been re-sown. Very wet. 2 1.45 1.22 30.95 Grass in poor condition- has been flattened (covered) drier than site#1. 10 1.51 1.88 27.66 Patchy new turf and re-sown grass. Very wet as there is little grass to take it up. Area tested beside new turf. 15 1.21 2.32 26.44 ‘Good’ control site, thick healthy buffalo grass. Quite dry. 16 1.45 3.06 18.40 ‘Bad’ control site, bare and patchy grass growth. 6 1.49 2.08 17.30 As for site #5. Drier & fewer worms than other sites.
Green colour means apparently healthy soil conditions with yellow meaning compaction; as judged in the field and by penetrometer resistance.
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Table 8 Site results arranged in order of increasing penetrometer resistance. Site # BD MPa Moisture (%) Site quality judged in the field
14 1.39 0.90 34.07 Aerated & re-sown area. New growth doing well through old (dead) root mat. 8 1.32 0.91 41.54 Good site. Grass healthy. 1 1.41 1.00 32.88 Very wet site, grass in poor condition. 7 1.42 1.04 32.06 Grass mostly dead, regrowth doing well. Much has been re-sown. Very wet. 3 1.11 1.22 54.29 Grass in good health. Appears to have received little traffic. 2 1.45 1.22 30.95 Grass in poor condition- has been flattened (covered) drier than site#1. 12 1.36 1.28 35.83 Sections of new turf have been laid down, some re- sowing also. Very wet. 13 1.35 1.46 35.83 New turf (buffalo grass) over entire area. Grass very healthy. 11 1.37 1.58 34.66 Looks seriously trampled. Areas have been aerated and grass is mostly dead however new re-sown grass is well established. 4 1.14 1.74 34.73 Fairly dry- moderately healthy looking grass- has been covered. 10 1.51 1.88 27.66 Patchy new turf and re-sown grass. Very wet as there is little grass to take it up. Area tested beside new turf. 9 1.31 1.88 38.16 Patchy re-sown grass and sections of turf. Wet site. 6 1.49 2.08 17.30 As for site #5. Drier & fewer worms than other sites. 15 1.21 2.32 26.44 ‘Good’ control site, thick healthy buffalo grass. Quite dry. 16 1.45 3.06 18.40 ‘Bad’ control site, bare and patchy grass growth. 5 1.04 3.54 36.73 Much drier than any other site. Area appears heavily compacted and trafficked due to general park use. Green colour means apparently healthy soil conditions with yellow meaning compaction; as judged in the field and by penetrometer resistance.
The results indicate that the soils are generally not more compacted than in 2003 and 2004 and comparable with that found in 2005. As mentioned previously in the report, penetrometer readings are useful for comparing results in any one round of sampling on a site-by-site basis. They are not so useful for comparing results form year to year due to fluctuations in moisture content between sampling events.
6.0 SOIL COMPACTION LEVELS
6.1 Are Current Compaction Levels Causing Stress on Established Trees and Turf?
There is no visual evidence to suggest that the current levels of compaction within the Carlton Gardens are having any impact on established tree health.
Approximately 75% soil bulk density readings indicate loblolly pine establishment would be mostly successful, with another 38% being near ideal, based on the Duffy-McClurkin scale. More generally, Handreck and Black would place all the sites at “satisfactory” and “satisfactory, but some too compact”.
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Overall, the state of the turf appeared visually to be in a worse state this year as opposed to 2005 and similar to 2004. This is undoubtedly due to the fact that this year testing was carried out closer the event and thus the gardens had less time to restore themselves and particularly for the grass to regenerate.
6.2 Are the Compaction Levels Within Expected and Acceptable Levels for a Park Environment?
The health of the vegetation within a park environment is the best indicator of whether or not compaction levels should be a concern. If the park is flourishing (as is the case with Carlton Gardens, except minor patches) there is little cause for concern regarding compaction.
As with previous years, all indications are that the vegetation within the Carlton Gardens is extremely healthy. The trees show no signs of stress caused by compaction (such as wilting of new growth, stunted growth or root exposure by erosion caused by increased surface water runoff). It is believed that compaction will not increase with time beyond present conditions, so long as the intense traffic is kept to the drier months of the year and there is no further intensification.
7.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
7.1 Regular Soil Compaction Testing Regime
In our reports in 2004 and 2005 we upheld the recommendations of 2003 that an annual monitoring program of ‘high risk’ areas that could be identified on a traffic basis, such as entrances and path diversions/confluences. In addition, we noted that monitoring is especially desirable if the Flower Show event takes place during or shortly after wet weather. If the soil is dry or if no irrigation has occurred in the week before the event, the damage to the soil that can be done should be minimal.
Based on the findings of this report we uphold this recommendation.
In addition, we have further reason to support the belief stated in the 2004 and upheld in 2005 report that testing should be conducted always during times that the soils of the entire area are likely to be approximately equally moist so that the effect of different moisture levels on penetrometer resistance can be cancelled out.
Under conditions of rather uniform moisture levels in the soil, the hand held penetrometer will be the most economical means of monitoring as very many observations can be made in a short time. The number of core samples that must be taken to the laboratory always limits bulk density measurements.
The testing regime should target areas of obvious surface damage, areas of high-traffic, but also include ‘control’ areas that lie within large open spaces and/or readings from the less-utilised parts of the Southern Carlton Gardens.
7.2 Suggestions to Decrease the Risk of Increasing Compaction
In previous reports of 2004 and 2005, we stated that compaction levels within the Gardens did not at the time constitute the need for remedial horticultural works. This is still the case as compaction levels within the Carlton Gardens are not increasing. The points below are from the 2004 report (and were reprinted in our 2005 report) and are suggestions as to how the Gardens may be managed in order to avoid reaching the point where amelioration is required.
• A review of existing pathways, with a view to anticipating short-cuts taken by visitors; or
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• Encouraging traffic to disperse throughout the Gardens so as to ‘dilute’ possible compaction • As much as possible, using vehicles/machinery within the Gardens only after the soil has dried thoroughly after rain or irrigation • Scheduling major events which attract large numbers of people in the drier months of the year • Monitoring the weight of stalls/displays required by the International Flower and Garden Show
8.0 CONCLUSIONS
The levels of compaction in the Carlton Gardens poses no threat to the existing trees/vegetation or to soil structural quality from the compaction levels of the soil within the Carlton Gardens. The vegetation within the Gardens exhibit healthy growth and do not display any visible signs of stress, such as those that would result from high levels of compaction. It can therefore confidently be stated state that the compaction levels are within the tolerance levels of this park landscape.
As asserted in our 2005 report, major events should be held when the soils can be expected to be dry, i.e. from December to March or early April.
The annual testing regime implemented is adequate as a monitoring tool as compaction levels are not increasing.
At this time, the compaction levels do not warrant any remedial horticultural activity. However, Section 7.2 of this report outlines possible methods for reducing further possible compaction within the Carlton Gardens.
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APPENDIX 1
Bulk Density and Penetrometer Results Page 65of139
The City of Melbourne_Carlton Gardens Compaction Testing (271.4).doc
PENETROMETER READINGS Average Site # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (kPa) mPa 1 1000 400 1200 1600 600 1600 600 1200 1200 600 1000 1.00 2 1200 1400 800 1200 1400 1200 1200 1600 1200 1000 1220 1.22 3 1200 1400 800 1200 1400 1200 1200 1600 1200 1000 1220 1.22 4 1600 1600 1600 1800 1800 2000 1600 1800 2000 1600 1740 1.74 5 2500 4000 1500 3200 4000 3400 3800 5000 4500 3544 3.54 6 1800 1200 2800 3200 2000 2000 2400 2200 1800 1400 2080 2.08 7 1000 800 1200 800 600 1000 1200 1200 1400 1200 1040 1.04 8 1000 1000 1000 900 1000 1000 1000 1100 1000 1000 910 0.91 9 800 800 800 600 1200 700 1000 1200 1200 800 1880 1.88
10 1200 2200 1800 2000 1800 2200 2000 1800 1600 2200 1880 1.88 Page 66of139 11 2000 1400 2000 2200 1400 1400 1200 1400 1400 1400 1580 1.58 12 600 2000 1200 1200 1400 1000 1400 800 1800 1400 1280 1.28 13 1400 1800 2200 1200 1200 1400 1800 1200 1200 1200 1460 1.46 14 1200 1200 1200 600 600 800 600 800 1200 800 900 0.90 15 2200 2200 2400 2600 2200 2200 2400 2200 2600 2200 2320 2.32 16 2400 3600 2800 2400 4200 3800 2000 3000 2800 3600 3060 3.06
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BULK DENSITY Site # A B AVERAGE 1 1.5 1.32 1.41 2 1.46 1.43 1.45 3 1.26 0.95 1.11 4 1.12 1.15 1.14 5 0.86 1.21 1.04 6 1.53 1.44 1.49 7 1.47 1.37 1.42 8 1.49 1.14 1.32 9 1.31 1.31 1.31 10 1.53 1.49 1.51 11 1.41 1.33 1.37 12 1.32 1.39 1.36 13 1.31 1.39 1.35 14 1.48 1.29 1.39 15 1.23 1.19 1.21 16 1.39 1.51 1.45
MOISTURE CONTENT Moisture Ave moisture Sample content (%) content (%) 1a 28.58 1b 37.18 32.88 2a 30.54 2b 31.36 30.95 3a 40.73 3b 67.84 54.29 4a 35.65 4b 33.81 34.73 5a 47.02 5b 26.43 36.73 6a 16.04 6b 18.57 17.30 7a 29.75 7b 34.38 32.06 8a 33.49 8b 49.60 41.54 9a 38.16 9b 38.16 38.16 10a 26.73 10b 28.58 27.66 11a 32.62 11b 36.70 34.66 12a 38.16 12b 33.49 35.83 13a 38.16 13b 33.49 35.83 14a 28.97 14b 39.17 34.07 15a 25.75 15b 27.14 26.44 16a 20.09 16b 16.70 18.40
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© IER Customer Direct Research REPORT
Event: Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show Event Date: Saturday, 8 April 2006 Report Mode: Basic No. of Responses: 159 Export to PDF View Advanced Report - Age Breakdown >> View Advanced Report - Gender Breakdown >> View Advanced Report - Location Breakdown >>
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph
Age
<18 1 0.6%
18-35 34 21.4%
36-50 68 42.8%
51+ 56 35.2%
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph
Gender
Female 127 79.9%
Male 32 20.1%
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph
Location
Carlton/Fitzroy 2 1.3%
Inner City 20 12.6%
Interstate 1 0.6%
Metropolitan Melbourne 99 62.3%
Overseas 4 2.5%
Regional Victoria 33 20.8%
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 73 of 139 Page 2 of 31
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q1. Which of the following statements best describes your attendance at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show? I planned to go to the event and it was my main 146 93.0% reason for coming into the city I planned to go to the event but only if I was already 8 5.1% in the city for another reason I was aware of the event but didn't consider attending 2 1.3% an event until I was in the city I wasn't aware of the event and only attended 1 0.6% because I became aware of it whilst in the city
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q1a. Given your answer above, which of the following statements best describes the motivator for your attendance?
I had been before and enjoyed it 97 61.0%
Advertising and promotion in the city caught my eye 21 13.2%
The atmosphere drew me in 13 8.2%
Other people recommended that I should attend 32 20.1%
It's a free public event with entertainment 3 1.9%
It's a family friendly event 26 16.4%
I am a garden/floristry enthusiast/worker 63 39.6%
It has the reputation as the premier horticultural show in 34 21.4% Australia
Other 37 23.3%
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 74 of 139 Page 3 of 31 Survey Question & Answer Q1a. Given your answer above, which of the following statements best describes the motivator for your attendance? :: Other
looking to make over my garden
My sister from the country wanted to attend, so I went with her.
I won tickets
I was given a complementary ticket
My mother flew from Canberra to attend as well
please be aware it was NOT a FREE event!!!
My small garden need some advice / examples
girls day out
Wantad to look at the grass for sale.
I love gardening , love plants,am always looking for new ideas and gardening equipment and products.
New plants and great ides for garden
design inspiration, new products
to get ideas for own garden. PS: It's not a free public event.
it was my mothers 70 th b'day celebration
IT IS A MAJOR EVENT
Never been before so wanted to go
love gardening
tools and equipment
Had one free ticket, decided to try it with the family
My mother from Queensland was visiting and sheis a keen gardener
My wife is a keen gardener & I get ideas too
I took a friend who had never been
Heard it talked about on 3AW
I've been meaning to go in previous years and never made it
We are in the process of doing our garden & don't know much about gardening.
you say its a free public event why then did I pay to get in ?
FREE PUBLIC EVENT????
it certainly is not a free public event, getting quite expensive
I visit with friends and enjoy company outing
also to visit a friends exhibit
after ideas for a garden renovation
Latest trends in gardening & boys toys
friend mentioned she was going
To gain ideas for my garden and to perhaps get some bargains that aren't available elsewhere or at other times.
It motivates me to keep gardening!
It's the first time for me to attend and I enjoyed so much
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 75 of 139 Page 4 of 31 hoped to get inspiration and information about gardening see new plants and growing techniques
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q2. Please select which of the following best describes your attendance at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show:
I went by myself - Go To Q3 11 6.7%
I went with friends 35 21.3%
I went with my partner 36 22.0%
I went with my family 67 40.9%
I went in a large group with other families 2 1.2%
Other 13 7.9%
Survey Question & Answer Q2. Please select which of the following best describes your attendance at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show: :: Other
I went with my husband and Mother
I went with my partner and 2 other friends
partner and a friend
I took my 21 year old daughter, who also has an intrest in gardening
OUR SOCIETY SHOW AT THE MIF&GS
I went with my daughter
went twice with friends then with family
took visitors from S.A.
Parner and friend
but prefer to go on my own
met friends at the show
I went with my daughter - our special thing to do together each year - a "tradition"
I went with my boss and colleague,from Thailand,who came to attend the International Education Forum 2006 held in Brisbane and pay for study-visits in Canberra and Melbourne
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 76 of 139 Page 5 of 31
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph
Q2a. How many people did you attend the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show with?
0 1 0.7%
1 56 38.1%
2 38 25.9%
3 25 17.0%
4 18 12.2%
5 4 2.7%
6 1 0.7%
7 0 0%
8 1 0.7%
9 0 0%
10 1 0.7%
10+ 2 1.4%
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph
Q3. How would you describe your likely attendance at future Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show?
Will definitely attend this event again in future 123 77.8%
Not sure 30 19.0%
Not interested in attending this event again in future 5 3.2%
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph
Q4. How did you travel to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show?
Tram 33 20.8%
Taxi 1 0.6%
Train 30 18.9%
Bus 5 3.1%
Walked 25 15.7%
Bike 3 1.9%
Car 112 70.4%
Other 3 1.9%
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 77 of 139 Page 6 of 31 Survey Question & Answer
Q4. How did you travel to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show? :: Other
Have a relative drove us there.
will take train in future.
2 mini buses
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q5. During your visit to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, how much IN TOTAL did you spend on the following: a.) Retail Stores in Melbourne
$0 61 64.2%
$1-80 21 22.1%
$81-160 4 4.2%
$161-240 2 2.1%
$241-320 4 4.2%
$321+ 3 3.2%
Average Expenditure: $48.14
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q5. During your visit to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, how much IN TOTAL did you spend on the following: b.) Restaurants / Cafes
$0 43 32.8%
$1-50 66 50.4%
$51-100 14 10.7%
$101-150 3 2.3%
$151-200 5 3.8%
$201+ 0 0%
Average Expenditure: $28.52
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q5. During your visit to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, how much IN TOTAL did you spend on the following: c.) Bars
$0 66 91.7%
$1-50 6 8.3%
$51-100 0 0%
$101-150 0 0%
$151-200 0 0%
$201+ 0 0%
Average Expenditure: $2.60
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 78 of 139 Page 7 of 31 Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q5. During your visit to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, how much IN TOTAL did you spend on the following: d.) Hotel
$0 64 86.5%
$1-80 0 0%
$81-160 4 5.4%
$161-240 2 2.7%
$241-320 2 2.7%
$321+ 2 2.7%
Average Expenditure: $36.22
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q5. During your visit to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, how much IN TOTAL did you spend on the following: e.) Tourism Attractions
$0 65 85.5%
$1-50 8 10.5%
$51-100 1 1.3%
$101-150 0 0%
$151-200 0 0%
$201+ 2 2.6%
Average Expenditure: $14.47
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q5. During your visit to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, how much IN TOTAL did you spend on the following: f.) Entertainment (ie. cinema)
$0 66 89.2%
$1-50 4 5.4%
$51-100 1 1.4%
$101-150 0 0%
$151-200 3 4.1%
$201+ 0 0%
Average Expenditure: $10.70
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 79 of 139 Page 8 of 31 Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q5. During your visit to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, how much IN TOTAL did you spend on the following: g.) Transport/Car parking
$0 26 20.2%
$1-10 61 47.3%
$11-20 37 28.7%
$21-30 2 1.6%
$31-40 1 0.8%
$41+ 2 1.6%
Average Expenditure: $9.26
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES: ('Percent' is out of Average Total Expenditure of $149.91)
a.) Retail Stores in Melbourne $48.14 32.1%
b.) Restaurants / Cafes $28.52 19.0%
c.) Bars $2.6 1.7%
d.) Hotel $36.22 24.2%
e.) Tourism Attractions $14.47 9.7%
f.) Entertainment (ie. cinema) $10.7 7.1%
g.) Transport/Car parking $9.26 6.2%
Average Total Expenditure: $149.91 100%
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q6. Did you attend any of the following City attractions during your visit to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show?
Federation Square 14 8.8%
Docklands 2 1.3%
Southbank 7 4.4%
Burke St Mall 10 6.3%
Lygon Street 11 6.9%
City Parks & Gardens 14 8.8%
National Gallery 2 1.3%
Museum 2 1.3%
Other 26 16.4%
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 80 of 139 Page 9 of 31 Survey Question & Answer Q6. Did you attend any of the following City attractions during your visit to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show? :: Other
casino
none
N/a
Have suana & steam spa at hotel.
QV
no
None
resturant
Vic Market
nil
no, had no time but normally would have eaten out at southbank for dinner
We came only to see the garden show
QV & Melbourne Central
Brunswick Street
Victoria Street eateries
no
The Lion King Musical
Vic Market
theatre
np
I live around the corner
we do this regularly anyway!
Theatre - The Lion King
we make a point of coming into the city once a month
no
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q7. How would you rate your overall event experience at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show? 1=Poor and 5=Excellent
1 2 1.3%
2 6 3.8%
3 19 12.0%
4 67 42.4%
5 64 40.5%
Average Score: 4.2 158
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 81 of 139 Page 10 of 31
Survey Question & Answer
Q7.(i). The reason for poor rating (Rating Given: 1 & 2)
it was disappointing compared to other years
I found food and drinks very expensive paying $4 for a bottle of solo!
had 11 year old with me and she was bored.
Far too many people in a small area
It tokk over 2.5 hours to get to the event from our home in Cockatoo about 50 kms away, due to traffic congestion
not value for money - too expensive
the display gardens aren't gardens but patios. the 1st prize was a house!! too many stalls selling junk
Too crowded - not enough room to move between exhibits
Survey Question & Answer
Q7.(i). The reason for average rating (Rating Given: 3)
Has not changed over last few years and I have been disappointed that this is the case
Not enough interaction between vendors/display/stalls and attendees, price for items are not noticeably cheaper (most are higher) after already paying for the ticket price
Did not think it was as good as I thought it would be
We attended on the Sunday and it was far too crowded which spoilt the experience.
Not as good as previous years. Not many free samples, would have been handy to have a print out of the map, as in previous years, rather than having to open the magazine every time. Parking was not sufficient, saw no advertising for park and shuttle in paper for alternative to MCG parking, so headed for the venue to find all parking full, and didn't wish to waste any more petrol by finding out where you could park for the shuttle. Didn't think the standard was up to previous years' exhibits. Some stalls were really cramped & under staffed. Some things on display in garden stalls weren't for sale but weren't labelled 'display only', e.g. seedlings.
too crowded, went to see gardens but the gold prize winner looked like a loungeroom
I came to the show looking for garden examples, and there weren't all that many,
it has become a lot more commercial since I began attending it many years ago.
enjoyable, but not as many nursaries as before
Not enough new exhibits
I don't believe many of the stalls had great / exciting new ideas. Stuff I've seen lots!!!
it rained and there was minimal undercover areas, some areas were very crowded and i couldn't find any displays on permaculture or organic gardening, or vegetable or herb plants or seeds for sale
Survey Question & Answer
Q7.(i). The reason for above average rating (Rating Given: 4 & 5)
got there early and saw everything i wanted to and i received practical advice
beautiful gardens, opportunity to see the renovated Exhibition hall
It was fabulous, we had a great time and was able to find everything very easily
The show was very well organised and laid out
except for the weather - which is uncontrolled - it was fabulous!
It was a nice day out and very relaxing
i enjoy all the quality exihibits and all the sample packs
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 82 of 139 Page 11 of 31 a wonderful show, a great experience
Very well organised & well planned event. Lots to see, learn and enjoy. Stores & exhibits are easy to find with great maps located strategically.
Better than last year, but not as good as the first time at Exhibition buildings
The entrance was poorly signed but once inside the layout, friendliness of information staff and stall holders was excellent. There were also some very interesting displays
lots to see, experience and enjoy, perfect weather, lovely helpful staff and the location was beautiful
Pretty park with lakes, eyes opened on new flora designs & ideas.
ENJOYABLE DAY - GOT GOOD ADVICE. BOUGHT PLANTS
great information. very helpful exhibitors, outstanding creations for inspiration in my own garden
its a fantastic family friendly event
Choice of food/drinks limited
Wasn't quite as good as the last time I attended. Garden stores were excellent, food was very average
all prices were fair and reasonable
the overall organisation was good but the exibition bit can be better. i think there should be a theme of some sort for each show to make it more interesting Better than I expected, have been in the past and not very impressed, prefer the ABC show at Caulfield, feel you can learn more there, Garden Show is just a lot of commerical outlets.
Quality displays and people to discuss their product or display with you.
I always find the displays very intresting, get lots of ideas, good prices for plants, like to see whats new
I love the wide range of stalls, displays, creative garden ideas, collecting showbags & samples, taking photos for garden ideas etc
i enjoy being there
Lots of free show bags,mix of stalls, ie craft, fresh flowers, hanging baskets,garden designs.plenty of seats. A nice day out with everything catered for for all interests. Products were not to expensive.
the standard of innovation has dropped a bit from previous years
for some reason it wasn't as impressive as other years
it has a lovely atmosphere but it is very expensive to go in because you have to buy everything you want inside except for a few samples
great displays, lots to see, interesting retail stalls
we all had a very lovely day and the weather was great
Happy with it, met rather than exceeded expectations
THE SHOW WAS VERY PEOPLE FRINDLY
Very good displays
fod too expensive 2rolls/pie and 3 teas $34.00
its something i enjoy as a landscaper for new ideas
enjoyed all attactions and stalls
I liked the colourful floral displays in the Exhibition Building
let down by 1 hour bus trip from North wharf (I believe fun run made traffic a nightmare)
I think its a great day out and lots of things to see.
there seemed to be more products & exhibits compared to last year and the venue was great
I felt there could have been better directions and signage. I felt I was walking in circles at times
I believe it is very well done.
Lovely time, despite the rain. Got to see everything and enjoy the entertainment. Everyone friendly.
Very busy but still relaxed and pleasant. Toilets good, unlike at Alexandra Gardens during the Com. Games
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 83 of 139 Page 12 of 31 Very enjoyable, relaxed atmosphere
Loved the display in the Exhibition Hall, lots to see and experience
Family had a great day although it rained a little. Parking was a hasstle
Chose a quieter time to visit, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I just didn't have enough time to spend there - there is so much to enjoy and learn
We saw nearly everything, and people spoke to us but did not harass us. We obtained answers to questions and help we needed. Lovely man selling tickets at entry.
We love the flowers, the atmosphere and the inspirations.
I was very impressed. Everything was covered ie. toilets, atm, food. Large range of displays and stands.
i just love it
It was a good day out with lots of stalls to see
Everything was very well presented; enjoyed the range of outdoor garden settings, variety of items on stalls; friendliness and helpfulness of stallholders
lots to see
Thought the displays were terrific however there should have been free samples given out.
It was better last year with more diversity within the displays
I love the venue, and just to wander and look around at the exhibitions is great, I go over the same ground many times.
it can get very crowded toward after 12.00
I enjoy the event as I believe there should be more family friendly events to do in melbourne - get people out of their homes and away from the TV
Most enjoyable.
Enjoyed everything that was there . The layout of exhibits made it easy to see & we enjoyed the 'walking garden' people; the 'butterflies' were wonderful & unjoyed by young and old.
got some great ideas & just enjoyed the day
not as much as I have seen in prev yrs
It was very well set out and well organised
A family day, the whole area was beautifully maintained and kept clean, and a non-threatening experience.
I felt that it mainly suited the wealthy person who might want to do up their gardens
interesting presentations
Inspirational and informative
great variety of garden help & products
The design of flower pattern was wonderful
I enjoyed seeing all the wonderful and creative displays. Next time I want to spend all day there.
Lots to see but thought there might be more display gardens
One can always improve on a good idea
Loved all of it!
Inside the hall was a little disapointing the outside trade dislpays were good
enjoyed
Loved the garden displays and opportunities to purchase equipment
Not as many working/tool displays
I had a great time with my family - and came home with lots of interesting ideas
In the hours that I was there, I saw many great ideas for my garden, fabulous artistry inside the building itself with the floral displays, took great photos, got some great bargains and was inspired to do more in my own garden as well as having a fun time with my friends. IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 84 of 139 Page 13 of 31
There is so much to see, do and learn about. It is so well organised and the venue is wonderful.
Not as many Show special offers as previously. Full price charged for Sunday but many displays beginning to wilt and many retail stocks not available. Weather affected enjoyment this year.
The overall atmosphere was wonderful.
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q8. How do you rate the event venue at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show? 1=Poor and 5=Excellent
1 1 0.6%
2 4 2.5%
3 11 7.0%
4 36 22.8%
5 106 67.1%
Average Score: 4.5 158
Survey Question & Answer
Q8.(i). The reason for poor rating (Rating Given: 1 & 2)
As above very expensive needed more plants and speacials. More information on fencing and gates would have been good. Landcare etc
not very sure about the event
Not able to cope with the crowd
difficult parking. Pain parking is too expensive
I am concerned at the damage done to these beautiful gardens. Maybe the showgrounds would be better.
Survey Question & Answer
Q8.(i). The reason for average rating (Rating Given: 3)
Preferred it when it was at Burnley but its better than Caulfield Race Course (ABC gardening show)
too crowded on the weekend
have attended every year, but was a bit disapointed this year. Nothing is different, even set up & stall holders in the same places.
Not enough space for people to walk or see the displays, too crowded.
Got more enjoyment from the Peruvian pan pipes band who were not part of the above
I didn't enjoy the crowds
Felt a little claustrophobic inside
Hard to find exits
like to see more ladscape displays
good to have more seating and undercover areas to rest or wait out the rain
Survey Question & Answer
Q8.(i). The reason for above average rating (Rating Given: 4 & 5)
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 85 of 139 Page 14 of 31 perfect setting with the building for the flower show and the great grounds for the main exhibits
the gardens are the perfect setting for the show enabling the designers to incorp existing gardens into their designs
It's well put together, easy to get around - well thought out. It was spectacular.
beautifully manicured and safe paths. Glorious old building is a perfect backdrop to the flowers
The old exhibition building is fantastic and the carlton gardens are extremly pretty
it has the room for all stall holders, although there should be a more methodical way of getting to see everything.
excellent location, easy to get to
Set in a large and beautiful garden setting with lots of trees and natural surroundings. An ideal location for such an event.
Beautiful public gardens
historic building and large parklike grounds all added to the atmosphere, plenty of clean toilets, places to sit and relax and welcoming attendants
Peaceful & relaxing. Close to tram & train station.
GOOD POSITION TO HOLD IT IN BUT EASY TO GET CONFUSED AND LOST . KEPT ON GOING ROUND IN CIRCLES!!!
perfect - the beautiful gardens were perfect to host the event. Very Central!
easy access beautiful setting
I love the Exhibition buildings
see above
very well organized.
Nice place, nothing exceptional/surprising/memorable however. Expectation is already high.
big space abut not enough parking
Good location
SETTING SUITS THE EVENT
love the carlton gardens ,trees, fountain and the magnificent exhibition building. Displays ,floral and other excellent
the gardens are a great showcase for the event, and i love the exabition building
not much shelter for outdoors eating - maybe some sails, large umbrellas - we were lucky with our outdoor lunch this time, but if it had rained we would have been caught in it! Also we thought the seating outdoors could be increased as many people had to sit on the grass for their lunch on the day we were there.
Central, Ease of transport, sheltered.great gardens, well laid out stalls and displays
It was very stylish and a beautiful building and grounds.
still the best . The gardens and the buildings are being usedfor the puropse they were built. will one day equal Chelsea.
the gardens are a perfect place to hold it and then the beauty of the exhibition building tops it off
easy to get to, variety (indoor and outdoor exhibits)
a little bit hard on the feet going up and down
Cant think of where else central it could be held, but parking difficult or expensive for a sunday
THERE IS NO OTHER VENUE THAT COULD HOLD THES EVENT ON THIS SCALE
Very well spaced out, lots of room to walk
difficult to folllow map
inner city pleasent surrounds and atmosphere
large plenty of room, clean, good toilet blocks,
Exhibition Building is a good venue because it is in a garden
The venue is great but the food and drinks are to expensive.
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 86 of 139 Page 15 of 31 You can't beat the character and architecture of the Exhibition building
The gardens were splendid , but there needs to be more seating
The layout of the existing gardens and magnificient building added ambience to the event
It caters very well for all aspects of the show.
Thought the entry fee was a tad expensive, otherwise it was well laid out and used the Building well.
beautiful surroundings, plenty of space for people to move, shaded and/or quiet areas for resting
This is a premier garden and exhibition site ane central to other attrations in the city, I live on a tram route so easy for me to attend
Because it is centrally located and would not be the same without the garden surroundings.
Love the atmosphere in the gardens, if it causes damage consider use of parking area or moving back to Fitzroy Gdns
Gorgeous place which incorporates an appropriate atmosphere for the show.
appropriate place - central
Fantastic - easy to get to, magnificent building, spacious outdoor site
Convenient. Large enough but not too big. Inside and outside areas.
I cannot think of a better location close to the city area
Central venue, hope it doesn't do too much harm to the Carlton gardens.
The venue was great, lots of room and beautiful inside and out.
Big open venue
As the Show was new to me the venue was also and I was impressed by the settings of gardens, lakes and fountains plus the grandeur of the Exhibition Building and the exhibits inside.
A fantastic venue both indoors and outdoors. A garden is the perfect place to hold a garden show.
beautiful lots of information
Plenty of floor space in the building, was not cramped. Plenty of room in the garden to stroll around.
the park is a good size and with the trees, lakes etc creates a good ambience
The gardens and exhibition building are an attraction in their own right and add to atmosphere
The venue is second to none, looking through to the Exhibition building is stunning.
The venue is sensational, well set out to cater for the amount of people that attend
Well presented, beautiful location, easy to get about.
Wonderful atmoshere being held at the Exhibition Buildings - made for such an event!
it was easy to get around & looked great
available by public transport, garden atmosphere anyway, both indoor and outdoor displays are possible
great surrounds
The exhibition buliding is beautiful and the flowers compliment it, and the gardens are awesome
great venue close to city and transport ,lovely gardens to walk through
Exhibition Building a real icon, good to renew memories; part inside/outside to suit weather conditions. Room for people with wheelchairs and pushers.
There were some really interesting ideas that I will copy myself
handy for parking or by training from regional victoria...geelong
Good design and space
What a perfect setting for the Garden Show amongst the superb grand trees and gardens.
The exhibition building is perfect for an event like this, as are Carlton Gardens
Used to do work in the building prior to its renovation. IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 87 of 139 Page 16 of 31
Very few occasions to visit the old exhibition building
Spacious, beautiful
love the hall and the old tres of the gardens
able to access by public transport
Carlton Gardens are spectacular in Autumn, plenty of space
Few more seats
While it got a little crowded in the afternoon, I love the venue.
It has a great setting under the established architecture of the park with established trees, fountain, building and paths - what an excellent backdrop because you have the play of light and shade that you see in home gardens. The Exhibition Building is so beautiful and lends itself so well to the exhibits inside. The gardens are wonderful and a great backdrop for the Show. Very pleasant garden surroundings with beautiful plantations. The building is lovely as well. Catering and toilet provision are very good. The Flower and Garden Show should be taken place at the Garden. The Royal Exhibition Building's Garden is wide enough as well as unique.
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph
Q9. Did you know that the City of Melbourne supports the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show?
Yes 103 65.6%
No 54 34.4%
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q10. Do you believe that the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show should be supported and staged by the City of Melbourne?
Yes and I am a City of Melbourne ratepayer 21 13.4%
Yes and I am not a City of Melbourne ratepayer 127 80.9%
No and I am a City of Melbourne ratepayer 1 0.6%
No and I am not a City of Melbourne ratepayer 8 5.1%
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q11. Do you believe that the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show enhances Melbourne's reputation as a:
Family friendly city 115 72.3%
Tourism destination 110 69.2%
Cultural centre 83 52.2%
Shopping destination 39 24.5%
"Liveable" city 93 58.5%
International city 60 37.7%
Events city 126 79.2%
Doesn't enhance Melbourne's reputation at all 2 1.3%
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 88 of 139 Page 17 of 31
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q12. Do you believe that Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show supports any of the following sectors of the community?
Family sector 98 61.6%
Hotel and accommodation sector 66 41.5%
Retailing sector 83 52.2%
Cafes, restaurants & food sectors 97 61.0%
Bars & nightlife sectors 20 12.6%
Local tourist attractions sector 90 56.6%
Horticultural and floral sector 145 91.2%
General media 46 28.9%
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph
Q13. How did you hear about the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show?
Television 91 57.2%
Radio 62 39.0%
Newspaper 98 61.6%
Posters 20 12.6%
Websites 17 10.7%
Word of Mouth 63 39.6%
City of Melbourne street banners 29 18.2%
Other 14 8.8%
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 89 of 139 Page 18 of 31
Survey Question & Answer
Q13. How did you hear about the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show? :: Other
Just aware of it
Advertisement on milk carton
I watch for it each year
Been before and knew the timing
go every year
Happened to walk past.
from past attendance
saw it being prepared
reminded by my daughter
My friend recommended me
Friends display
trams
regular attendee
My colleague who is a Thai student studying at the University of Melbourne.
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph How did you hear about the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show? Television (sample: 91)
Free to air network 62 68.1%
Subscription channel 2 2.2%
Can't remember 8 8.8%
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph How did you hear about the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show? Radio (sample: 62)
Fox FM 8 12.9%
Mix FM 3 4.8%
Nova 100 2 3.2%
ABC 774 19 30.6%
Other FM/AM 39 62.9%
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 90 of 139 Page 19 of 31
Survey Question & Answer
Radio :: Other
3AW
3aw
3aw
3AW
3AW
AM 1278
aw 1278
I saw the infrastructure being put in place
693 am
MIFGS NOTIFY OUR SOCIETY
3AW
1278
3aw
3AW
3aw 1278
3aw
3 AW
AM127.8
3 AW
3AW
3aw
Classical FM & 5 MBS
AM 1206
693
1377 3MP AM
1278
101.3
3AW
just know it's on annually
3AW
3MP
3AW
Vega 91.5 FM
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 91 of 139 Page 20 of 31 Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph How did you hear about the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show? Newspaper (sample: 98)
The Age 30 30.6%
Herald Sun 71 72.4%
MX 3 3.1%
Community Newspapers 5 5.1%
The Australian 1 1.0%
Other 3 3.1%
Survey Question & Answer
Newspaper :: Other
city reward card
Gardening Australia
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph How did you hear about the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show? Websites (sample: 17)
That's Melbourne! 6 35.3%
Search engine 5 29.4%
Ninemsn 2 11.8%
City of Melbourne Site 3 17.6%
Other 1 5.9%
Survey Question & Answer
Websites :: Other
visitvictoria.com
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 92 of 139 Page 21 of 31
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q14. Can you recall any of the sponsors of the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show? If Yes, Please list them separated by a comma
3aw 12 7.5%
Bluescope 1 0.6%
Bunnings 3 1.9%
Channel 7 1 0.6%
Channel 9 9 5.7%
City of melbourne 30 18.9%
Clearpond 1 0.6%
Debco 1 0.6%
Flemings 6 3.8%
Flowers victoria 1 0.6%
Ford 17 10.7%
Gardening australia 1 0.6%
Gardenworld 1 0.6%
Herald sun 14 8.8%
Holden 1 0.6%
Horticultural society 1 0.6%
I am sorry 1 0.6%
I can not do that. 1 0.6%
Img 1 0.6%
Interflora 22 13.8%
Ioof 1 0.6%
Jamie durie 1 0.6%
Jetstar 3 1.9%
K mart 1 0.6%
K-mart 60 37.7%
Kodak 1 0.6%
Lavender farms 1 0.6%
Leggos 3 1.9%
Liptons 2 1.3%
Magic 693 3 1.9%
Mercure 2 1.3%
Nab 1 0.6%
Ngiv 1 0.6%
No 1 0.6%
Patio 1 0.6%
Primelife 1 0.6%
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 93 of 139 Page 22 of 31 Pura 1 0.6%
Savewater 6 3.8%
Semken 1 0.6%
Simonds 3 1.9%
Singapore 1 0.6%
Streets 1 0.6%
Swinburn university 1 0.6%
Telstra 1 0.6%
Tesselaar 9 5.7%
The age 2 1.3%
Thrive 1 0.6%
Tourism victoria 3 1.9%
Twinnings 8 5.0%
Victorian government 1 0.6%
Water features direct 1 0.6%
Yarra valley nursery 1 0.6%
Yates 11 6.9%
Survey Question & Answer
Q15. How could Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show be improved?
less sales areas and more actual garden displays
better food stalls, get rid of fish & chips & grease, more fresh food, salads, sushi etc
?
I'm not sure, it was very special the way it was. Easy to get to, easy to access etc.
K Mart, Simonds, 9, Herald Sun
cheaper food, more freebies, enforced one way paths in the building itself
the cost of entry should be less than what it was
the layout could be better, so that you are sure you visited every stall. better parking
liked it as it was. anymore and it may be too much.
Already fabulous the way it is now & it can only get bigger and better in future. The large variety of categories on show are wonderful. The student competition sponsored by Ford Australia is excellent. It gives the younger generation a platform to display their talent and to show their wares. All the categories on display are of a very high standard. Stavros (the Greek Restaurant) provided delicious food and lovely entertainment.
more Roses displays - last year's was much better than this year's
More talks by experts in areas other than the Exhibition Buildings. There used to be far more of these in the first 1 or 2 years at the present venue. Cheaper drinks and food!!! I paid $4 for a bottle of Solo from the MBC Melbournes Best Coffee. What a rip off!! The day was very expensive and it puts you off going again. There could have been an animal nursery or chook houses or more lifestyle information rather than just presuming that everyone lives in with a BBQ patio area in a courtyard. Better access signage is essential. The entry booths were difficult to find as the entry sign from the street led directly to a no entry sign. I enjoyed the show but it really has been the same now for at least the last three years - it was deja vu this year and that was alittle disappointing
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 94 of 139 Page 23 of 31 lower prices
I think manufactures should sponsor retail stores to give away special discounts to visitors. This help to advertise their products & make buyers/visitors very happy to get a wonderful deals. It will worth their entry tickets & encourage them to bring more family members & friends to attend the show. OPEN FOR LONGER HOURS. I WOULD LIKE TO GO AFTER WORK. ALSO IMPROVE THE LAYOUT WITH ARROWS OR COLOURS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN LOGICALLY COVER EVERYTHING WITHOUT BACKTRACKING AND DUPLICATING AND MISSING OUT ON THINGS. ENSURE THAT THERE ARE MORE TRAMS RUNNING WHIST SHO IS ON. personally i really enjoy the show, however from a family perspective, i think there should be a childrens area. Somewhere children can pot plants, dig holes, get their hands dirty. Give them the opportunity to experience what they can do in the garden.
keep doing it
Signs to indicate what is down that pathway to see, you can actually miss seeing bits.
Wider choice of food. More music
Better food and parking
perhaps make a continuous pathway to follow so one doesn't get lost or miss anything and make it one-way. (recommendation only!!!) Do something about the parking or have discounted public transport with entry ticket (or vice versa, sell discount entry tickets with valid MetCard for the day). Get more exotic products or have common products at more competitive prices; setup "mock garden" arrangements for inner city gardens / backyard types or town house types where space are limited; more information for beginners ("what's wrong with my garden/plant" with pictures so more of a learning experience). parking, cheaper admission rates ( due to this, i may not want to go every year), maybe earlier of the year as i've been to this for 3 years and it rains every time i go.....
Could have more education element, perhaps some small giveaways of fertiliser etc.
MORE FREE SAMPLES
Free admission or cheaper. More givaways Held over a longer period so there are not so many people packed in at the one time. You don't get to see everything because there are too many people. Ban prams!!!! Signage indicating which avenue to take next, we get confused and often find we missed some of the displays. You may already do this. We are not so good at juggling a booklet to find where we are. We missed out on the Interflora bag which may have had a map enclosed. Also had a longish wait to get in, only two people selling tickets for a while,then two more came on but didnt alternate the queues.A cash window would be a good idea also. took only asecond for us to purchase tickets with cash.
Open later on the last day
just keep doing what you are, it is a great show and something that all of victoria can be proud of
How about some left luggage space? Our backpacks got heavy (gardening magazines etc) but there was nowhere we could leave them whilst we explored. I believe plants are stored for later pickup. Next time we'll bring a small trolley like the experts!
As mentioned before, some shelter from the rain whilst eating outdoors - or would this be too expensive?
What about a range of attractive accommodation packages for those who live away from Melbourne? We stayed at a hotel nearby and walked to the venue which made it especially accessible and economical.
As can be expected, there is scope for more toilets. Always a queue to the ladies!!!! More actual gardens . Get rid of the clutter ie all the retail - I can see all that bunnings or a nursery if the show able to put on more lighting at the outdoor for the late comer that will be much better because when the sky is getting dark actually cant really see much but if with lighting at the outdoor i think there might be another feel of watching the flower Tables for those who want to bring there own food. Some music or jazz playing as you wonder around. More free show bags with good goodies inside them. greatr range of food, with prices that arecomparable with surrounding cafes. Coffee was an exhorbitant price. Availability of free drinking water. encorage and support the very best in garden design innovation. There is too much 'me too' stuff this year.We use the show to contact innovative designers for trend events in other industries. As an international trend forecaster this show is very important to me and I promote it in my reports. I would like to see more fruit, vegetable and permaculture exhibits and activities and a few less grecian urns! More for the large rural garden, just to balance the show. allowing advertising artworks such as the sculptures as they seemed to bring a lot of satisfaction to people for ideas in their gardens better parking facilities and free if possible. Afterall, the entrance fee is not cheap and it would be good to get something back in return.
open later in the evening on the last day
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 95 of 139 Page 24 of 31 Like more examples of outdoor living;-backyard setups, gardens, decking, outdoor furnishings, screenings etc
Unsure
BY NOT MOVING IT FROM ITS PRESENT LOCATION
More international flowers
Healthier food choices
As there are smaller gardens in units and townhouses it would be great to have displays of garden settings or what one can do for such areas.
Just keep on doing what it is doing involving the family
maybe more seating and more music better map cheaper food viewing seats for some of the diplays
Larger area required for walking paths.
stop being so expensive to buy food $8 for 2 bottles of pepsi makes me wait till i get home lucky i didnt buy food there .
would have liked more fireplace type stalls
Make the food more affordable
OK
Some more water features.
Something has to be done about the traffic nightmare. We went on Sunday, which was unfortunately the day of the Fun Run, We were soooo close to turning around and going home. Ths has definitely deterred us from attending for the next several years. Also instructions to the North wharf parking area were confusing for those of us unfamiliar with the Docklands area. The instruction was to enter from Bourke St - fine, we could drive down Bourke St, but then it ends at Suthern Cross Station!! Another detour around finally found us at the correct parking area. The shuttle bus system, although crowded worked well though. Add some new attractions, change the layout it is getting a bit tired. More gardening gadgets for sale. More displays. There was not as many this year.
Clear signaage and more grouping together - eg: all Water Features be together, all outdoor furniture together.
Don't know.
The venue would still be great if the number of people attending was strictly limited. Otherwise the venue needs to be a lot bigger. My 4 year old was particularly distressed by the crushing crowds. Movement around the show was excrutiatingly slow. Entrance fee reduction Cheaper food & beverage inside the venue
Providing a more detailed map, even if just as signs posted around the grounds, as I was quite disoriented.
Clearer sign posting, more car parks. Maybe think of bicycles for transport from local car parks.
It needs to be spread out a bit more, by noon on Sunday it was very crowded especially in the hall, probably less space could be allocated to the caterers on the second floor as they had spread out. The first show( 4 years ago) was I felt less crowded, more space between exhibitions let you linger around the incredible installations. There was a big emphasis on bulbs this year which I wasn't really drawn to.
tHERE WERE LESS PLANT VARIETIES SHOPS THAN OTHER YEARS BUT LOTS OF MACHINERY.
It is fine as it is
Incorporate hands on displays for children and adults
Have more tables and chairs in the areas near food retailers.
cheaper prices
I think it's great and it improves each year naturally as people come up with new designs
Have coffee, tea & soft drinks at a more affordable price as well as reasonable healthy food selection.
We love it how it is as long as it keeps on having variety each year and different types of garden displays so it can cater to each type of gardener's need every few years. It is noticable that there are empty spaces, so more displays or retailers need to be attracted, which in turn would improve the event. If it could be held over a longer period, that would be good, as it is hard to get there when it's only on for those few days. Perhaps more seating around the venue for tired show goers. Food seems to run out at the upstairs area at afternoon tea time - have noticed this over a number of years. IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 96 of 139 Page 25 of 31 I think it needs to run for an extra couple of days
trolleys for hire to carry plants to a designated pick up area better parking and traffic control more freebies/ competitions
The cost to get in is quite expensive. I think a reduced fee would increase attendance.
Ensure the outdoor stalls are bigger to cope with the crowd
Not much needs imporving - the format and layout is excellent, maybe bring the Twinnings garden back
A little more clarification on which exhibitors are there for display and which are there to sell things. Hand out maps with tickets. The price could be reduced a little or, it would be good if you got something physical for your money, i.e. vouchers at various nurseries/gardening shops etc. improvement in traffic flow around venue, make sure acces to city is not restricted ie, no stupid tunnel closures for idiot runners
Availability of umbrellas to use/hire when weather wet.
I would like to see less replication of the products currently on shelf in a lot of stores. More garden examples would be important. I came to the show looking for: Garden edging ideas and water features. There were very few examples of garden edgings - only what is already available - and only modern water features. I have a period home so a period water feature would suit. The show should showcase new, different ideas. There were also very few examples of garden pots, concrete garden furniture etc.
with more garden demo using prouduct and handy tips in venues around gardens
Cheaper admission. $17.50 entrance fee is just ridiculous. Flat rate parking of $10 should have been imposed instead of the shock of having to pay $16. This on top of high petrol fees will make me think twice about coming again. more gardens of a wider variety, better catering facilities ( the queues were enormous and limited "healthy eating" options. Larger map, this years was hard to read more seating for lunches etc. Floristry demostrations. perhaps a big screen with video of demonstrations being conducted , and maybe talks from designers about what inspired them and how they biult them. more Garden landscapes. and somthing to entice young children into gardening Improvements have been happening every year, this year there didn't seem to be the same number of wandering entertainers, which would be nice when you are sitting having a rest. Although I may have missed some. The venue is getting a bit crowded now as the show is so popular. Perhaps there is a need to move to a bigger venue out of the city centre. If you moved it out of the inner city it would possibly be easier to park, but public transport would be an issue. Cheaper to get in More tips on gardening more free promotional items
Allow discounted parking for ticket holders
can't think of any-loved the venue, the exhibits and the friendly feeling around the Garden Show.
more plants for sale
It is staged very well.
fewer commercial-only outlets, more potential garden ideas
more kid interactive activities
Provide more samples of products available for purchase, more maps around the venue of where you are
most enjoyable as is , maybe more for gardeners with established gardens searching for smaller ideas and plants . most of the crowd you find lingering around the outer paths which has .plants ,potting mix ,food, and new ideas, without changing your entire property. It is currently very well run and I am amazed at the amount of work that goes into the presentation of floral exhibitions. Encourage more interstate/overseas visitors.
Smart economical ideas for the person developing a new block of land after just building a house
more/cheaper eats with seats
More displays, less vendors
More garden designs, more pamphlets on arid dry type plantings
great as it is
It was really good. I've never seen that in my home country.
Everyone likes to come away feeling like they got something FREE, maybe a native plant or bulb in a tube presented to each paying visitor. They can then go home and plant it and make our planet greener as well as spread the news and encourage more people to know about the Garden show, and also to go along themselves. IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 97 of 139 Page 26 of 31 Uni students should also be considered in a family group as they are part of a family. It cost $49.50 for three of us to go and that was VERY EXPENSIVE for us just to go and see our friend's display (I did not include the $11.00 parking as well!). We drove in from Healesville and could only stay just over an hour.
more garden displays, more overseas input, possibly a move to springtime.
Just keep up the good work.
More child friendly, interactive experiences
Should be on for a week, allowing more choice of days to go, did not find the floral displays in the hall very inspiring this year
No - it's perfect
I love the large displays of the outside gardens and pergolas but it must be hard on the parks I think soem limit on the garden design should occur .
Provide for purchase a CD of attractions and products which are available
better if it has session display / competition of orchids and bonsai
Hold it over a longer period of time 3 weeks. I went on a sunday because i work all week and it was so ridiculously busy it was difficult to see or move. This turned me off going next year. More seating at various locations around the site More demonstrations (maybe we were just unlucky or didn't look hard enough).
There's so much to see - it would be handy if you could purchase a return pass for the next day at a discount rate.
more ad hoc seating
By moving to a larger venue, particularly where transport is available and also car parking.
I really can't think of anything except perhaps having a later closing earlier in the week.
More seats available in the outside area. More detailed lists of what the stands have and their particular Show offers. Lockers for hire to stow bags etc in to save carrying loads around.
It could be improved by inviting other countries to join the Flower&Garden Show.
More displays and demonstrations of gardening for apartments or courtyard gardens. More focus on growing plants for food at home. Displays of eco - friendly techniques such as organic gardening and permaculture. Having a covered central hub area for people to sit and eat and rest and watch talks and demonstrations and be out of the rain - very important for families with young children, the elderly and to create a relaxed and social atmosphere and more of a day-out activity.
Survey Question & Answer Response Percent Graph Q16. Do you believe that the current location (Carlton Gardens and Royal Exhibition Building) is suitable for staging the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show?
Yes 147 94.2%
No 9 5.8%
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 98 of 139 Page 27 of 31 Survey Question & Answer
Q16a. Please explain your reasons for your answer in Question 16
central and an amazing setting
perfect size for it all and the setting with the exhibition building adds to the atmosphere of it all. If it was held somewhere else I would question whether I would go again
A wonderful showcase for the garden show
Surrounding is enhencing the show
It's the perfect setting. Beautiful heritage building for the indoor display, and then a beautiful walk through the gardens to see the outdoor displays. The venue is large and accommodates it all. It couldn't be a more suitable location. Public transport and car parking facilities are close by. The exhibition building is perfect to hold the florist displays in and the outdoor gardens are also perfect , spacious areas to hold the outdoor garden displays in.
shaded by trees, good paths, enough space, beautiful fountain
I think this is a very suitable location as it is large enough to hold this event
i can't think of a better venue or larger venue in melbourne that would be able to host such an event.
It is central and has nice ambience.
good location. easy access. lots of surrouding area that is free to sit and relax.
The present venue is a great location as it is easily accessible by trams, trains and buses. Finding a car park was not a problem as there was ample parking spaces and paying car parks around the area. Also, the Royal Exhibition Building is a wonderful historic Melbourne icon, surrounded by beautiful and colourful gardens and lawns. the combination of beautiful gardens and an historic building is an ideal setting for this event. I'd be very disappointed if it was relocated
It gets too crowded on a sunday particularly during the hours of 11:00 to 15:00
In my opinion the gardens are beautiful and peaceful, an ideal setting and back drop for a garden show while the Exhibition building is a magnificent building which adds to the "wow" factor of the floral arrangements and artworks. The venue is also close enough to be easily accessed from the city and via public transport while providing parking for those who choose to drive. Beautiful setting - perfect location with sense of 'garden'. Easy to get to on public transport. Will be very disappointed if cannot continue on this lovely site.
central to melbourne and large enough to accomodate the crowds
IT IS CONVENIENT FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT. IT IS A LARGE SPACE. IT HAS OUTDOOR AND INDOOR FACILITIES.
it is a central location, with great access to public transport. carlton gardens' natural beauty enhances the environmentally freindly feel. it is a garden that is inspiring, not a paddock or race track,it has easy access from various forms of transport as well as parking available at the museum A beautiful peaceful garden setting in the middle of the city and convenient for everyone to travel to. If was also lovely to see two kookaburras up in the trees laughing at us all.
Central. Near railway station. Exhibition Building fantastic
It is central to Melbourne. Other things which may be useful. Is that my mother came to Melbourne from Canberra, specifically for this event and while here went on a Gary Line day trip along the Great Ocean Rd with my brother. In addition, my mother, brother, his partner and I, all went to dinner the night my mother and I went to the Flower show. Since my brother lives in North Fitzroy and I in South Clayton, the fact that the event was centrally located meant it was convenient to get together for dinner afterwards.
it is a beautifull and very accessable location for both public and private transport.
I think it was the best place the the show
Size allows outdoor and indoor displays.
easy to access and big
It is a good area, with a lot of open space suitable for the event.
THE PLACE IS JUST PERFECT FOR THIS EVENT
Beautiful area, garden environment, easy access.
Too hard to get to. Can't get a car park close by. I am from Gippsland and went on the train & tram so couldn't buy much whilst there as I had no way to get it home. If I'd had the car I would have bought more. Needs a better variety of food. IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 99 of 139 Page 28 of 31 Superb location, beautiful and close to all transport.
A pleasant area ina cnetral easily accessibl4e location
Its easily accessable and well laid out, there are lots of areas to just sit and enjoy the gardens, the building is a great place to get out of the weather if need be, and the facilities are tops The Exhibition Centre is a superb building and the range of stalls, the art show, the live sessions with gardening experts, student floral displays and large food section upstairs are all easy to access and enjoy. The adjacent Carlton Gardens are attractive and complement the structured layout of the display gardens and stalls. It is the Melbourne Garden Festival so it obviously has to be in Melbourne - I suppose it could be staged in the Alexandra Gardens also. Ideal for families. convienent to city and transport, almost level ground for older people, Great hall for indoor show, seeing the beautiful Architecture in the building and eating. Shade on hot days, sheltered from winds on cooler days. probably wouldn't attend if venue changed the reason is because is just next to the city and city is the heart of melbourne . the place is big enough to hold large amount of pepole . the garden is nice . the place is so asscessable
The crowds were unbearable and we only stayed for an hour because of the crush
It was a very beautifull spot.
With careful management and possible relocation of some exhibits to the gravel forecourt there should be NO deleterious effect on the gardens. The use of the building is superb. It is a most civilising event. I have been attending since it moved from Burnley. I swell with pride when I see the REB full of life and activity. The building of granduer and age allows the amazing presentationstocome alive. The gardens too just pulls it altogether for a wonderful day.
limited parking
great for public transport to get to .
Appropriate indoor & outdoor space, wouldnt want to be any smaller space!
There is room to stage it there
THERE IS NO OTHER SITE THAT HAS THE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS THAT COULD ACOMMEDATE A SHOW SUCH AS THE MIFGS Its big enough to hold lots of display, atmosphere is very grand, the dome effect and the decor just sets the mood. Local & easy to get
Great setting inside for flowers and outdoors for garden settings, historical and beautiful building
It is very central, lovely atmosphere and easily accessible by means of transport.
Loverly site with shade and Grand Old Building adding to the atmosphere.
good to have both indoor and outdoor venue
Know the layout. Easy access.
its a garden itself well maintained and also the building with history and somewhere for the florist expo counldnt think of somewhere better
easy to find and travel to, clean nice looking environment
Good location, lovely garden setting
The established park with great trees/pathways/access adds to the " garden appeal" The exhibition building was in fine glory with all the floral displays and art work presented. the renovations with in the building looked great. Its a great peoples park and building and its great to see such a good event being held there. Maybe next year the fun run could move one sunday so to eliminate the traffic problem. Did not see that much traffic during the commmenwealth games and I went to the city 3 times while the games were on.
It is close to every thing so after the show you have alot to do around the gardens.
Excellent venue, but a lot more crowded than we expected. It was very difficult to see most attractions due to the crush of people. We definitely did not get our money's worth just shuffling along in a mass of people unable to appreciate what we expected to be a beautiful event.
Easy to get to . Relaxing venue. other entertaiment close proximity once finished at garden show
It is a beautiful setting. the building is beautiful & the gardens are tranquil, espesialy at night.
As mentioned above in Q8
both indoor and outdoor venue with excellent space and very accessible by transport.
It is easy to get to by public transport.
Please see the comments listed above in Q15.
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 100 of 139 Page 29 of 31
Close to everywhere
Good location and size of grounds.
The setting is superb and the Exhibition Hall is magnificient.
as explained above, shade, beautiful gardens, space, quiet/restful areas
I'm ambivalent. While we love the Carlton Gardens & Royal Exhibition Building is beautiful, not too sure of the effect all of the infrastructure has on the actual gardens there. Also, for the amount of people that attend, feel the parking facilities are insufficient.
See question 8.
EASY ACCESS , LOTS OF ROOM, BEAUTIFUL NATURAL SURROUNDINGS
see Q8[i]
The exhibition building and carlton gardens are a wonderfull showcase for an exhibition such as this. I understand it damages the gardens and I would like to see this minimised if possible. Perhaps hold it at the Fitzroy Gdns. The Royal Exhibition Building is very good as it is large and has the right atmosphere. The gardens are good except that some paths get very congested. The atmosphere is perfectly offset by the location. It is a beautiful and peaceful place to be, and most people get out into the garden for the same thing.
as above Q 8
Yes, for the same reasons I included in Q8 - - - - it is a magnificent site to view on its own, but having the show there just adds to this.
Easy to get to on the train & very central
We had a similar question above. It is convenient to public transport and a good sized venue with inside and outside areas and good paths to move people about.
I cannot think of a location that is better suited to staging the event.
I like the venue as it is central, but worry that long term damage may be being caused to the Carlton Gardens. The Exhibition Building is a magnificient venue. If the event was moved to another venue such as a racecourse, i'm sure the crowd would still follow it to its new location. We certainly would. The gardens and fountain outside are beautiful and only enhance a flower and garden show and goes with our unofficial reputation of Garden state. The Exhibition Building itself is such an important building and its interior, with the amazing painted ceiling and walls, goes with the artisic workmanship of all the floral displays inside.
Its a large space and all the stands looked fantastic
It is a great venue. Plenty of room
EASY TO FIND, EXHIBITON BUILDING IS THE FEATURE
spacious enough
It has the perfect layout, the backdrop of mature trees to the display gardens is wonderful, there is adequate toilet facilities, shelter from the elements, good access to public transport etc. I think so. It did feel a bit cramped inside so we didn't really spend time looking around in there. It also seemed like the inside exhibitors were more for display rather than for purchase, except for Clover Hill florist. The outside area was nice though.
It's central and the area is beautiful.
Yes see response to Q8
The indoors and outdoors are beautiful, it is known as the venue for the show - I already knew where the show was going to be held and didn't have to research.
its central with using transport and it in a beautiful place with the gardens and venue
It has the outdoor space to adequately cope with the throng of people. Exterior catering was terrific & well set out. The Building itself seemed to cope well with the crowd, however I felt that there could have been more exhibitions on the upper level. Toilet facilities seemed to cope well also. I was very happy with the displays I saw, however I am NOT IMPRESSED with the entry & parking fees.
central for all people of melbourne good transport
Its central, good public transport to it, and the size makes it possible to get round in one day.
Central, great venue in its own, and accomindates everything well.
It is a central location, and in a setting that could not be improved on, I think it would not be as successful in another site, can't think of any in Melbourne that would surpass this one.
see answer to Q 15
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 101 of 139 Page 30 of 31 It is a large area and the amount of people that attend are catered for and can easily move and see all the exhibits
The beautiful location, including the Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens make the setting really special. The shade provided by the trees gives the stalls a great atmosphere, and without this the stalls would be more like a weekend market on a car lot. I understand that the lawns suferr as a reult of the Garden Show, perhaps a limitation on the weight allowed for displays could be considered, or relocated on the concrete adjacent to the Museum. Centrally located, with possibility of going outside for lunch and then returning. Can park nearby or take tram an dwith a trolley can take all your purchases home easily, rather than struggling from a remote location The Royal Exhibition Building and the Carlton Gardens are at their best when on display in all their natural settings. It seems to be a very logical reason for such a wonderful display of Mother Nature's best!
easy to get to, is large enough & set out great. surrounding areas look good too.
it is accessible. it is on historical venue.
available by all public transport, central location for people from all suburbs to get there, suitable for both indoor and outdoor components of the show, garden atmosphere with the very large trees is an enhancing environment.
fab surrounds
The building is a fantastic place for the indoor displays, and the gardens are easy to navigate and explore all the different stands
easy access from city and close to transport.
1. Room for families with pushers adn wheelchairs. 2. 50% inside and outside to suit climatic changes. 3. Space sufficient for young children not to be crampted and restricted. 4. Balcony area for restaurants - giving space for people to eat without being in walkways. 5. Good to see 'the old building' annually and enjoy a walk in the garden area.
It has an abundance of wide open spaces plus the undercover areas for the displays
large indoor and outdoor areas
It is easy to access and central to the city (walking)
The gardens and the magnificent buildings.
It is gorgeous...big, established garden
great setting, handy location.
It accomadates both the outside and the inside sites
enough space for the exibition, the garden is large with a lot of trees and flowers, the building is big and the its ceiling design is wonderful.
As stated before, the mature trees are just superb backdrop and set the appropriate ambience for such a stunning even.
nice atmosphere, good location.
As said previously, a great backdrop for such an event. Great to see the Exhibition building used for the show. Although I don't drive, I imagine parking is a problem in its present location. The event may become too big for its present location but could spill over to the museum forecourt.
What other central location has the facilities to hold such an event.
Great indoor and outdoor venue, however lack of parking makes visiting the museum and driving, impossible during the flower show (as attempted by myself Saturday and a friend on Sunday).
Location, beautiful old building and parkland
Because it's easy to get to, beautiful setting, spacious, easy to walk around it all, great indoor and outdoor areas.
It si central and shows off the exhibition hall. the parking is good as is the transport
easy to access
I love the atmosphere of these gardens & it's great having the beautiful exhibition buildings incorporated to hold the florist display. It shouldn't change to another venue it's part of why I enjoy going to the garden show. A good mix of indoor and outdoor displays; Carlton Gardens are well laid out for walking around and provide open spaces for relaxing; venue is central to the city Gardens lend itself to a garden and flower show the trees, gardens and lake is a great setting. The hall shows the flowers off with grand style. Its easy to get to, central location, well set out, not cramped for space, indoors is separate adventure to the outdoor displays. Great - don't move it..... The combination of an open, outdoor setting with such beautiful mature trees, alongside the grand and historic Exhibition Buildings would be hard to match anywhere else in Australia. it is a heritage building that lends itself to the atmosphere, and the gardens are just delightful as well as being central to IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne 12/05/2006 1:06:06 PM Page 102 of 139 Page 31 of 31 attend
It is central and can be accessed easily by public transport as well as the reasons stated earlier in the questionnaire.
Carlton Gardens and the Exhibition buildings are beautiful and it is very lovely seeing the displays in this building but I feel more space is needed to fully appreciate the displays and arrangements. Also with such a lot of effort, planning and arrangements being utilised in constructing the garden designs, it is not necessary to despoil the Carlton gardens with the likelihood of damaging the historic trees.
Because of the reasons outlined in Qs 7 & 8 and also it is so accessible by public transport.
The inside and outside areas are both picturesque and seem large enough for the crowd sizes.
Please see the answer in Question 8.
I found it to lack sufficient space on pathways for people to pass comfortably with 'traffic jams', insufficient wet weather areas, lack of seating and the venue has no real potential to accomodate improvements to these issues. The show grounds would be more appropriate.
Copyright 2005 A Division of IER Pty. Ltd., providing partnering solutions to clients for over 15 years
IER Pty Ltd. City of Melbourne Page 103 of 139
Venue Assessment Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
quest consulting
Page 104 of 139
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction
2 Project Scope and Methodology
3 The Possible Venues 3.1 Carlton Gardens (North and South) and Royal Exhibition Building 3.2 Birrarung Marr and Federation Square 3.3 Royal Melbourne Showgrounds 3.4 Flemington Racecourse
4 Establishing Criteria for Evaluating Sites
5 Site Evaluation 5.1 Size of Outdoor space 5.2 Size of Indoor space 5.3 Outdoor venue ambience 5.4 Indoor venue ambience 5.5 Connectivity of indoor and outdoor spaces 5.6 Capacity to Restrict Entry to Ticket Holders 5.7 Exhibitor needs 5.8 Park Infrastructure 5.9 Weather considerations 5.10 Visitor access and comfort 5.11 Disability access 5.12 Access – public transport 5.13 Access – car parking 5.14 Site safety 5.15 Impact on residential areas 5.16 Environmental Impacts 5.17 Heritage and legal issues
6 Overall Assessment
Attachments
Table 1: Showing summary of venue assessments Appendix 1: Map of Carlton Gardens South and the Royal Exhibition Building Appendix 2: Map of Carlton Gardens North Appendix 3: Map of Museum, Museum Forecourt and Royal Exhibition Building Appendix 4: Map of Birrarung Marr Appendix 5: Map of the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds Appendix 6: Map of possible spaces at Flemington Racecourse Potential Locations for MIFGS Page 105 of 139
1. INTRODUCTION
The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show has been held in Carlton Gardens South and the Royal Exhibition Building for the last nine years. The Board of the Flower and Garden Show holds a licence from the City of Melbourne to stage the Show in the Gardens and hires the Exhibition Building from Museums Victoria, the manager of the building. The licence to use the Gardens was renewed following the 2003 Show for three years with a possible two year extension.
Following the 2006 Show, the City will need to determine whether or not to extend the licence for a further two years. Prior to making this decision, the City has decided to review the suitability of the current and alternative venues for the Show.
The venues considered as possible sites for the Show are: § Carlton Gardens South and the Royal Exhibition Building (current venues) § Carlton Gardens South (in a more limited fashion), the Royal Exhibition Building and the Museum Forecourt § Carlton Gardens North and the Royal Exhibition Building § Birrarung Marr and Federation Square § The Royal Melbourne Showgrounds § Flemington Racecourse.
An examination of the suitability of these sites for the Show has been undertaken and this report is the output from that examination. In 2003, a similar review was conducted, but at that time only Birrarung Marr was considered as an alternative site for the Show.
2. PROJECT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY
The purpose of the project is to provide information for use by City of Melbourne about the suitability of the potential sites for the Show. This information will assist in decision making about the licence extension but does not represent the full suite of information on which the City will draw in making its decision. Other factors, outside the scope of this project, include the views of stakeholders, the wishes of visitors to the Show and the economic impact of any re-location.
The project was conducted during March 2006. It had 3 main components: § Desk top review of relevant documents § Detailed site inspections and data analysis § Interviews with site managers
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The previous review of site possibilities was a broader project involving interviews with key stakeholders such as residents. This project focuses on a technical analysis of the relative advantages and disadvantages of each of the potential venues.
The following organisational representatives provided information for the project and/or were interviewed to clarify aspects of venue suitability: § Mr. Greg Hooton, Director Events & Hospitality, IMG § Ms Angela Hill, Senior Planning Officer, Parks & Recreation, City of Melbourne § Mr. Glenn Maccoll, Park Ranger Coordinator, Parks & Recreation, City of Melbourne § Ms Amanda Matthews, Project Manager, Museums Victoria § Ms Kate Deacon, Program Manager Events, Federation Square § Ms Rozalee Erceg, General Manager, Flemington Business Development, Victoria Racing Club § Ms Jane Timson, Commercial Operations Manager, Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria.
3. THE POSSIBLE VENUES
The possible venues and their key features are described below.
3.1 Carlton Gardens (North and South) and Royal Exhibition Building Carlton Gardens is situated to the immediate north of Melbourne’s city centre and is bounded by Nicholson, Victoria, Rathdowne and Carlton Streets. It comprises two sections, one on either side of the Royal Exhibition Building (REB) and the Melbourne Museum. The Gardens are often (mistakenly) called the Exhibition Gardens. The Show has only been held in the southern section of the Gardens.
Carlton Gardens South is 8.8 hectares in size. It is a formal 19th century garden with many old plane, oak and elm trees. Pathways are asphalt paved. Key features include two ornamental lakes and the Hochgurtel Fountain. Appendix 1 shows a map of the southern gardens. Further improvements to the Gardens are planned including the establishment of a parterre garden near the interface with the REB and the removal of the chain walk.
Carlton Gardens North is 7.2 hectares. It also is a formal 19th century garden though less “gardenesque” in character than the southern gardens and used more for recreation. Key features include tennis courts and a number of playgrounds. The northern gardens are not as “manicured” as the southern gardens. Appendix 2 shows a map of the northern gardens.
All of Carlton Gardens is Crown Land reserved under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 and managed by the City of Melbourne, which funds all maintenance and development.
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The Royal Exhibition Building was originally constructed in 1879 for the first Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880 and used again for the 1888 exhibition. It was also the site for Australia’s first Federal Parliament in 1901. The Melbourne Museum, built in the nineteen nineties, is located across a Forecourt from the REB and abuts Carlton Gardens North. The Forecourt is approximately 5,000 sq.m. in size, with a 750 space car park underneath. Both the Melbourne Museum and the Exhibition Building are Crown property managed by Museums Victoria. Appendix 3 shows a map of the Museum, Museum Forecourt and the REB.
Carlton Gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building are together registered on the World Heritage List.
Currently, the Show is staged in Carlton Gardens South and the REB. Other possible combinations of sites within the Gardens that have been proposed include: § Carlton Gardens North and the REB § The REB and the Museum Forecourt § The REB, the Museum Forecourt and a smaller proportion of the southern gardens
All these possibilities have been considered in the current evaluation of potential sites.
3.2 Birrarung Marr and Federation Square Birrarung Marr is a relatively new park built largely on reclaimed railway land between Flinders Street and the Yarra River to the north and south respectively and Swanston Street and Batman Avenue to the west and east.
Birrarung Marr is 8.3 hectares in size. It comprises three terraces, Speakers Corner near Melbourne Park and the riverside promenade, which is lined by old elms, and Moreton Bay Figs. A long pedestrian footbridge links the terraces and the riverside promenade. A new bridge links the middle terrace and the western side of Yarra park next to the MCG. There is also an old railway building that has been converted to a children’s activity centre known as “Artplay”. A playground has recently been constructed alongside Artplay. Next to Birrarung Marr are the old bluestone vaults near Princes Bridge. Appendix 4 shows a map of Birrarung Marr.
Federation Square is a major civic space at the intersection of Flinders and Swanston Streets. It comprises a large, hard-paved outdoor square over several levels, a number of smaller outdoor spaces, a variety of indoor venues, public and commercial businesses including 15 restaurants. These spaces house the National Gallery of Victoria’s Ian Potter Gallery dedicated to Australian art, SBS, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Melbourne Visitors Centre, a function space, Zinc, and a theatre - BMW Edge. Birrarung Marr and Federation Square are adjacent and both abut a 470 space car park managed by Federation Square.
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Both Birrarung Marr and Federation Square are Crown land but are managed separately. The park is managed and maintained by the City of Melbourne. Federation Square has its own management company funded by income from rental of the different properties on the site.
3.3 Royal Melbourne Showgrounds The Royal Melbourne Showgrounds is the site of the annual Royal Melbourne Show, the largest annual event in Victoria with more than 500,000 visitors each year. It is also the site for a variety of other shows such as the Jimmy Watson Trophy (the largest wine show in Australia) and the Australian International Beer Awards (the 3rd largest beer show in the world).
The Showgrounds are currently undergoing major refurbishment and redevelopment at a cost of $108 million. Construction has commenced and most of the redevelopment will be completed in time for the Royal Melbourne Show in 2006. Some further redevelopment will then take place after the Show with final completion in early 2007. The redevelopment is planned in accordance with the principles of environmentally sustainable development. For example, a massive underground water tank has been installed for the collection and use of rainwater. The Showgrounds will be a very different place following the redevelopment – heritage buildings will be restored, redundant buildings removed, the arena relocated and open space enlarged and enhanced. The site will become a flexible multipurpose event and exhibition precinct. A wide, central, paved boulevard will run down the spine of the site ensuring full accessibility to all areas.
The site is managed by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria.
The Showgrounds are easily accessible via CityLink (20 minutes from Armadale at peak hour), tram and special train. Parking is shared with Flemington Racecourse with the two being linked via a tunnel. A map of the new Showgrounds is included at Appendix 5.
3.4 Flemington Racecourse The Flemington Racecourse is world renowned as the site of the Melbourne Cup but is also used for many events outside the racing calendar. It comprises a number of outdoor spaces, many well known by Melbournians. They include: § Front lawn and rose garden § The Nursery § The Birdcage § The Domain
All of these spaces are beautifully manicured, totally accessible and able to be separately ticketed for events. The Show could easily be accommodated within the Racecourse. In 2007, however, the Front Lawn will be renovated and hence temporarily unavailable. Other suitable spaces such as the Birdcage and the Nursery will, however, remain available. The Front Lawn will be available for use again from 2008.
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There are also numerous indoor spaces including The Peak at the top of the grandstand, part of a $2 million refurbishment and levels one and two which offer vast open spaces ideal for exhibitions. The spaces available would easily accommodate the Show’s requirements. Maps of possible event spaces at the Racecourse are shown in Appendix 6.
4. ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING SITES
In order to assess whether or not particular sites are suitable as venues for MIFGS, it was necessary to establish criteria by which each site could be judged. Seventeen such criteria were identified through discussion with the event organiser and augmented through review of the earlier evaluation and discussion with key City of Melbourne staff.
The approach taken in section five below is to outline the criteria identified, provide a simple description of the significance of each criterion for the Show and then evaluate each potential venue against the criterion. A table is also provided showing a summary assessment of the suitability of each venue against each criterion.
5. SITE EVALUATION
5.1 Size of Outdoor Space The Show, as currently configured, requires 88,000 square metres of outdoor space. Any space significantly smaller than this would render the Show unpresentable in its current form.
The Showgrounds are very large and certainly meet the size criterion. Flemington Racecourse has several large spaces such as the Ascot enclosure, the Birdcage, the Domain, the Nursery and the front lawn which together meet the space criterion. Carlton Gardens North is 72,000 square metres and therefore falls short of Show requirements. It could be augmented by use of the Museum Forecourt (5,000 sq. m.) but the two combined still do not meet current space requirements. Birrarung Marr is 83,000 square metres, although only 26,000 of this is useable exhibition space. On this critical criterion, neither Birrarung Marr nor Carlton Gardens North is of sufficient size for the event.
5.2 Size of Indoor Space The selected venue needs to provide sufficient indoor space for both displays and activities (such as talks by garden experts) currently conducted in the REB. The Show currently uses 12,000 square metres of indoor space over two levels.
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Both the Showgrounds and Flemington can accommodate a Show with this indoor space requirement. Federation Square cannot.
In order to provide indoor exhibit space, marquees could be used in either Birrarung Marr or Federation Square but the total combined useable space would still not meet Show requirements. Show Board members do not favour marquees for indoor exhibits as they have seen the problems caused at Ellerslie Show where visitors queue for up to an hour to enter many of the indoor displays.
Adequate indoor space is a critical criterion for the Show and Federation Square is simply not big enough.
5.3 Outdoor Venue Ambience The appropriate ambience for a flower and garden show is a highly subjective issue, but a very important one, as the appropriateness of the venue will obviously impact on the potential visitor’s decision whether or not to attend. Show organisers consider this a critical criterion in site selection. Their view is that part of the branding of the Show is derived from its location in one of Melbourne’s premier gardens and that any move to a setting with less grandeur will undermine the Show’s attractiveness to garden lovers. They further advise that the Show is rated in the top five flower and garden shows in the world and the venue is ranked number one.
Carlton Gardens has a lush, 19th century grandeur typical of Melbourne’s major parks; the Racecourse (excluding the 2007 year) also provides a more traditional venue with massive rose gardens but fewer trees; Birrarung Marr provides a modern and elegant design that has retained large formal tree plantings along the river setting; the Showgrounds promises massive plantings in the enlarged open spaces but the results of the design are yet to be seen.
Show organisers consider Carlton Gardens a perfect venue for a flower and garden show. However, each venue has a unique ambience on which the Show could capitalise with thoughtful planning and Show design. All venues are considered suitable on this criterion.
5.4 Indoor Venue Ambience The ambience of the indoor venue for the Show is also important. Again, this is a highly subjective issue and not all Show attendees will make the same assessment of venue ambience.
The REB provides very large open spaces over two levels that are well-suited to exhibitions; it also provides a sense of grandeur and significance with its architecture and murals that hark to another era. MIFGS is the only major flower and garden show in the world that is housed in an historic building. The spaces at Flemington are on multiple levels accessible by lift, escalator and stairs. While a fairly neutral space, it provides wonderful views over both the racecourse and the city. Federation Square indoor spaces are simple and modern and would provide a more neutral backdrop for the Show. The spaces at the Showgrounds, when
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completed, will offer a combination of modern, neutral exhibition space and refurbished older style exhibition halls.
As with the outdoor spaces, each of the venues offers a different ambience but should be able to meet at least the basic needs of the Show. All indoor venues have therefore been assessed as meeting this criterion.
5.5 Connectivity of Indoor and Outdoor Spaces The Show as presently staged in the Gardens and the REB allows visitors direct and easy access between the indoor and outdoor exhibits. Pass outs are not required as the two spaces are contiguous. These indoor-outdoor linkages contribute to easy access for Show visitors. Alternative approaches using unconnected venues could be possible but would have a number of impacts such as the need for either dual ticketing or pass-outs and additional costs in entry management. Likely visitor response to dual ticketing or pass-outs is not known.
Carlton Gardens South, the Racecourse and the Showgrounds all cater for a single entry mode; Carlton Gardens North would require dual ticketing as access to the REB could only be achieved by walking around the Museum.
Multiple ticketing would be necessary at Birrarung Marr and Federation Square. It would be possible to arrange access between: § the park and Zinc, the function centre, as they are on the same level § the park and BMW Edge (theatrette) via stairs § the park and the car park ground floor as they are on the same level. Small lifts provide access to the upper levels of the car park § the park and the atrium via stairs
So although Birrarung Marr and Federation Square abut one another, access between the two is less direct than at the Carlton Gardens site and for this reason the Birrarung Marr-Federation Square option is not considered suitable for large ticketed events.
Only three of the five venues meet the criterion of connectivity.
5.6 Capacity to Restrict Entry to Ticket Holders MIFGS is a ticketed event and hence it is necessary to fence Carlton Gardens South for the duration of the Show. An essential criterion for other potential venues is that they provide for restricted entry to ticket holders. The northern gardens meet this criterion as that could be fenced in the same manner that the southern gardens are. The Racecourse also meets this criterion as the whole course could be reserved for the Show or sections of the course such as the Nursery or Front Lawn & Rose Gardens could be reserved. Each of these areas is separately fenced already and hence works well for ticketed events. Similarly the Showgrounds is permanently fenced and hence suitable for the management of ticketed entry.
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Birrarung Marr would be very difficult, though not impossible, to fence but fencing of Federation Square is not allowable. There are multiple businesses on- site at Federation Square and access for their patrons would be eliminated if the site were fenced. Birrarung Marr-Federation Square therefore does not meet this criterion for the show.
5.7 Exhibitor Needs There are a number of requirements essential for exhibitor participation in the Show. These include: § Reasonable physical access for bump-in and bump-out § Reasonable time for bump-in and bump-out § Surfaces suitable for exhibits, including capacity to excavate/construct § Sloping terrain § Parking
Under current licence arrangements, the time allowed for Show bump in is strictly controlled. Some structures, such as the marquees are erected prior to the Gardens being fenced. Exhibitors have 9 days to construct and install their displays simultaneously with the fence being erected. Fence gates are installed 4 days prior to the opening of the Show. Following the Show, exhibitors have 4 days in which to dismantle their exhibits and bump out. Large vehicles such as semi-trailers unload at the southern end of the REB by forklift and goods are distributed throughout the Gardens. Bobcats are used for soil and sand distribution. Access for exhibitors during set-up is via Nicholson Street and egress is via Victoria or Rathdowne Streets.1
Four of the possible venues, Carlton Gardens North and South, Flemington and the Showgrounds, are all able to meet the requirements of exhibitors. All provide reasonable physical access for bump-in and bump-out; all would allow the time needed for bump in and out; each allows some excavation of grassed areas to facilitate display construction; the terrains slope gently providing for better viewing of exhibits than on a flat surface; and parking is available within reasonable proximity. It is important to note, however, that a heritage permit for the Show is required in Carlton Gardens and any construction must be consistent with the permit requirements. It should also be noted that the Museum Forecourt has both excavation restrictions and weight loading restrictions.
Birrarung Marr provides reasonable access for bump-in and bump-out although there are some weight restrictions on Federation Square - heavy vehicles are restricted to the edge of the Square and exhibits need to be off-loaded and transported onto the site via trolleys. Parking is available in the Federation Square car park. However, Birrarung Marr does not provide a good surface for excavation. It is granitic gravel on the lower terrace and grass on the middle and upper terraces. The soil was heavily compacted prior to the installation of the gravel and is hence not ideal for excavation. Restoration of the granitic gravel surface may also be more expensive than turf restoration.
1 Exhibitor Manual MIFGS 2002
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The terrace embankments are steeply sloped and are also unsuitable for landscape displays that allow visitor access. The middle and upper terraces provide a grass surface and therefore are suitable for exhibits. The lower terrace is quite suitable for other Show components such as retail as it provides a hard surface that, in fine weather, will take a large amount of wear.
The area known as Speaker’s Corner is on the State Heritage Register and any plans to use this area for exhibits would need to meet the requirements under heritage listing. City of Melbourne has itself introduced event guidelines that prohibit event infrastructure in this part of the park.
5.8 Park Infrastructure Exhibitors need access to power and water before, during and after the event. It is therefore important that the selected venue provides all exhibitors with safe and easy access to sufficient power and water outlets. Night lighting is also required and pathways need to be constructed to carry high weight loadings.
Some years ago, the City of Melbourne invested significant capital in Carlton Gardens South to provide the necessary access to power and water needed for events. Power cables are strung through trees but this meets all legal requirements. Both Flemington and the Showgrounds are also set up with appropriate access for power and water for events.
Birrarung Marr was designed with events in mind and also provides for access to power and water but there are far fewer connection points, although this will be rectified when planned capital improvements are completed.
All potential venues have adequate lighting for night shows.
There are no weight loading issues at Carlton Gardens South, Flemington or the Showgrounds where pathways have been constructed to meet loading requirements of heavy vehicles. There are issues with weight loadings in the Museum Forecourt and at Federation Square as both are constructed over other spaces (car park and railway lines respectively). Both venues advise exhibits are still possible but with some restrictions and bump-in times can be slower as large trucks are banned and exhibit components normally need to be transferred to trolleys.
Carlton Gardens North does not have the needed infrastructure such as power and, while there is water, outlets have not been designed for events. The weight loading limits of the pathways in Carlton Gardens North are not known as the pathways there have not been re-constructed in many years.
5.9 Weather Considerations In the first year of the Show, heavy rain fell prior to, and during, the Show. As a consequence of the drought and good luck, the weather in subsequent years has mostly been favourable for the staging of the Show. However, it is important that
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the selected venue is “all weather” and allows the Show to continue should the weather be inclement.
In Carlton Gardens, the asphalt paths are very suitable for wet weather. Difficulties originally arose in some exhibits when the grassed areas and temporary hessian paths became sodden. This problem has been ameliorated through the use of “profloor” which provides a raised surface over the top of wet grass. At Flemington, some areas such as the Nursery have more extensive paving than Carlton but profloor would still be needed in areas such as the rose garden. The Showgrounds will have extensive paving and hence should be suitable in wet weather.
Birrarung Marr can be difficult for visitors during wet weather. The granitic gravel surface of the lower terrace does not drain quickly and puddles form making the granitic surface more difficult to negotiate in wet weather for elderly or disabled visitors or families with prams or pushers. This issue arises in the Museum Forecourt also which is part granitic surface although it is surrounded by hard paved areas. The Forecourt can also apparently act as a wind tunnel. Birrarung Marr can also be uncomfortable for visitors in dry and windy conditions as the wind can lift gravel and dust.
Carlton Gardens, the Showgrounds and Flemington are satisfactory venues in wet weather. Birrarung Marr is definitely unsuitable.
5.10 Visitor Access and Comfort The current Show venue has a number of characteristics that are important for visitor comfort. These include: § Shade outdoors § Wide walkways, important for safety and comfort with large crowds § Comfortable walking surfaces and relatively unchallenging terrain § Grassed areas for sitting and picnicking
Carlton Gardens, both North and South, offer plenty of natural shade under the large old trees. Flemington also provides reasonable shade though some shade structures may be necessary in some locations. The Showgrounds will eventually provide adequate shade but shade structures may be necessary until newly planted trees reach maturity. Birrarung Marr has good shade along the river walk but also has some large unshaded areas where shade structures may be required.
Carlton Gardens has asphalt pathways, which are highly suitable for visitors, including people in wheelchairs, the frail and elderly, parents with prams and women in high heels. Visitors do leave these pathways to enter exhibits via temporary pathways that are not as pedestrian friendly as the asphalt but are adequate. The Gardens also offer plenty of grassy areas for picnics or sitting in the sun. A very similar situation exists at Flemington and the Showgrounds where there are wide asphalt walkways and reasonable grassed walking and sitting surfaces.
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Carlton Gardens, Flemington and the Showgrounds therefore meet all the visitor access and comfort criteria.
Birrarung Marr does not meet visitor comfort requirements. Grass for sitting is only available on some terrace slopes but not generally throughout the park. There are wide asphalt walkways but also many areas have a granitic surface that is unsuitable in the wet.
5.11 Disability Access The Show attracts a significant number of physically disabled people and older people with mobility problems. It is important therefore that the selected venue allows easy access for these visitors.
Carlton Gardens provides good access for the disabled. Paths are asphalt, slopes are gentle, there are no stairs and transition to the REB is at grade and provides no difficulty. Within the REB, there is ample room and there is a lift to the first floor.
Flemington Race course is also easily accessible with asphalt pathways, access to indoor areas and lifts where needed. The Showgrounds, when complete, will similarly be fully accessible.
Birrarung Marr does not provide good access for the disabled, however. It has a gravel surface on the lower terrace, a wooden bridge with slats and transition between levels requires taking a lengthy route if the stairs cannot be used. Federation Square has a very uneven walking surface.
The Victorian Government’s design manual for disability access to indoor and outdoor recreation facilities states: “Irregular or variable surfaces such as gravel cobblestones, flagstones, wood discs and timber decking can make wheelchair movement difficult. Gaps or open joints can trap crutches, canes and heels.”2
Transition between Birrarung Marr and Federation Square is also problematic for the disabled. This is discussed in more detail in section 5.5 above.
In sum, Carlton Gardens, Flemington and the Showgrounds meet this criterion for access but Birrarung Marr does not.
5.12 Access – Public Transport Carlton Gardens South is serviced by trams in Nicholson Street and Victoria Street. Buses run along Rathdowne Street and along Victoria Street.
Carlton Gardens North is serviced by the same routes though Show patrons coming via Victoria Street would have a short walk to the northern end of the Gardens.
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The Racecourse and the Showgrounds are accessible by train from the city, tram along Union Road and buses in Langs and Smithfield Roads. The train runs for special events such as the Royal Melbourne Show and the beer festival and could be scheduled for MIFGS.
Public transport access to Federation Square and Birrarung Marr is excellent. It is serviced by trains from all lines arriving at Flinders Street Station and trams in Swanston and Flinders Streets. Buses also run along Flinders Street.
All potential venues have good access to public transport.
A study in 2000 indicated that Show visitors prefer to travel by private car with 46% choosing that mode of transport, while 36% arrive by public transport.3 This modal split does vary by age group with older visitors more likely to use public transport.
5.13 Access - Car Parking As nearly half of all visitors currently arrive by car, provision of car parking remains important as a criterion in selecting a suitable venue.
Around Carlton Gardens, on-street parking at Show time is very limited but off- street parking within walking distance is available at the Museum car park (750 spaces) and the Elgin Street car park (200 spaces). Additional car parks are available south along Lygon Street. Parking in the city and taking a tram to the venue is also an option. The Show also runs a shuttle bus from Docklands.
Parking for both Flemington and the Showgrounds is excellent as the two venues share car parking for more than 4,500 cars.
Car parking for Birrarung Marr and Federation Square is also highly accessible, either at the Federation Square car park (approximately 400 spaces) or at other car parks in Flinders Street or elsewhere in the city (70,000 in total). City car parking is, however, substantially more expensive than parking in Carlton or at the Racecourse.
Were the Show to be re-located, arrangements for disabled parking would need to be considered as the show attracts a large number of disabled people. All venues should be able to make such arrangements with appropriate planning.
5.14 Site Safety The Show prepares a risk management plan and an emergency management plan to ensure the safety of visitors and exhibitors during the show but also during bump in and bump out. The Show must also comply with any specific
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requirements of the site managers. All venues stage major events each year and pay significant attention to safety considerations.
The Showgrounds and the Racecourse offer some benefits over Carlton Gardens and Birrarung Marr and Federation Square as bump in and bump out can take place without public access to the site. Nevertheless, safety has been well managed at both Carlton Gardens and Birrarung Marr during events and all venues are hence considered safe for the Show.
5.15 Impact on Residential Areas MIFGS does have some impact on the surrounding community in Carlton and Fitzroy. Residents experience some noise and dust during set-up, some noise and additional traffic during the Show; some noise and dust during bump out; the annoyance of being excluded from the Gardens during the fenced period; and the frustration of seeing damage to the Gardens in the weeks after the Show.
The impact would be somewhat higher if the Show were staged in Carlton Gardens North as there are more residences in the immediate surrounds.
Birrarung Marr as a site would eliminate most of these community impacts, as the closest residents are in Flinders Street apartments and unlikely to be directly affected.
Community impacts at both the Racecourse and the Showgrounds would be minimal as the sites are large and mostly well insulated from residential areas. There would obviously be some traffic impacts but these would be small in comparison with the Racing Carnivals and the Royal Melbourne Show.
5.16 Environmental Impacts It is important that any event in one of Melbourne’s premier gardens has minimal short-term impact and no long-term negative impact on the gardens themselves.
Clearly, Carlton Gardens is affected by the Show in the short-term. The grass is trampled and worn/dead in places and some areas are excavated. There is some damage to tree limbs, although this is fairly minimal as a consequence of the restrictions on exhibitors and the supervision during set-up. Restoration is fairly speedy as the City of Melbourne has a special contract in place for immediate restoration of the Gardens following the Show.
Residents have previously expressed concern about the long-term impact of the Show on the trees in the Gardens as a result of soil compaction. However, the City now assesses soil compaction through an external company annually and that assessment indicates that soil compaction is not an issue.
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The site managers at both the Showgrounds and the Racecourse advise that their sites would not be damaged long-term by the Show as both venues are explicitly designed for large scale events.
In Birrarung Marr, it may be expected that some damage would be caused by constructed landscaping displays if these were sited on the terrace lawns. Impact on trees, however, would be small as most trees are along the river promenade and not in the event spaces. Long term damage is therefore unlikely to be an issue at Birrarung Marr.
5.17 Heritage and Legal Issues Most parks are reserved under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978. This Act enables reservation of land for different purposes and provides authority for the making of regulations in relation to the use of land.
Both Carlton Gardens and Birrarung Marr are managed by City of Melbourne in accordance with this Act and the Regulations that are made under the Act. As long as the event is managed in accordance with the Act and Regulations, there are no legal barriers to the staging of the Show in either of these venues.
Now however, Carlton Gardens and the REB have achieved World Heritage Listing and, of course, are on the State register. This means a heritage permit is required from the Victorian Heritage Council to stage the event in Carlton Gardens, either North or South.
When originally proposed for listing, it was argued that the REB and Carlton Gardens have “universal cultural value” as a “rare surviving manifestation of the international exhibition phenomenon of the late 19th and early 20th centuries – a phenomenon that embodied ideas and processes that have profoundly affected modern societies.”4
It is important to note that the site was not nominated because the building or Gardens have universal significance as structures in their own right. Rather, it is their original use for the Great Exhibitions of 1880 and 1888 that makes them universally significant. According to Australia’s submission, the Gardens as well as the REB were used during the great Exhibitions: “During the 1880 and 1888 international exhibitions the southern portion of the garden provided the site for the pleasure garden that contained exhibits during these events.”5
In the nomination that went forward, the continuing use of both the REB and the Gardens for exhibition use was cited as support for the listing and a photograph of MIFGS is included in the presentation document to UNESCO.
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The Heritage Council has granted a permit for the Show in 2006 and continued compliance with Heritage Council requirements will be necessary in any future Shows in the Gardens.
The Commonwealth Government may also impose certain restrictions under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. As a “pre-existing activity” the Show has not had to seek any special permits under this legislation but moving the Show to the northern gardens could possibly trigger the provisions of this Act.
There are no special legal requirements for events at the Racecourse or Showgrounds.
6. OVERALL ASSESSMENT
The purpose of this study and report was to examine the suitability of five venues for the staging of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. The project brief did not seek a ranking of the venues but simply an assessment of each venue’s suitability. In order to make the assessment, seventeen criteria for successful staging of the Show were identified and each of the venues evaluated against each criteria. It is important to remember that the study was designed to consider site suitability only. Other factors such as the economics of the Show or stakeholders views were outside the scope of the work and will need to be considered separately.
The results of the assessment against the 17 criteria are discussed in Section 5 above and are summarised in Table 1 that follows.
The Table, together with the more detailed discussion above, shows that while no venue may be perfect in every respect, three of the five venues are suitable for the event. Those venues are: § Carlton Gardens South and the REB § The Royal Melbourne Showgrounds § Flemington Racecourse.
Carlton Gardens South, together with the Royal Exhibition Building, has been successfully used for the Show for the past nine years. Some issues do arise such as temporary damage to the Gardens but, overall, the venue works well for the Show.
An alternative proposed by some stakeholders is to reduce the scale of the exhibitions in the Gardens and make use of the Museum Forecourt for some of the Exhibitions. The Museum Forecourt is not of sufficient size to entirely replace the southern gardens but it is suitable for some exhibits as long as weight loadings are
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considered and there is no excavation. The benefit to the gardens of moving some exhibits to a relatively small space on the other side of the REB would be fairly minimal and there may be an impact on the Show if outside exhibits are split on either side of the REB. It is feasible, however. Carlton Gardens North is considered unsuitable for the Show because: § It is not large enough to stage the Show in its current configuration § Indoor spaces and outdoor spaces are not contiguous making dual ticketing necessary § Infrastructure such as pathways and power have not been specifically upgraded for event purposes § Lack of shelter in poor weather may be problematic § There may be unacceptable impacts on nearby residents
Birrarung Marr and Federation Square are also unsuitable for numerous reasons: § There is insufficient indoor and outdoor space § The indoor and outdoor spaces are not contiguous, creating issues for ticketing and entry § Not all areas can be fenced implying parts of the Show would have to be free § Exhibitors would have more difficulty with bump in/out and not all areas are suitable for landscaped exhibits § It is unsuitable in wet weather § Visitor comfort may be compromised by the walking surfaces and lack of grassy areas for sitting § Access for disabled visitors may be problematic given the Square and park surfaces
Both the Showgrounds and the Racecourse meet all the site criteria for the Show and are considered suitable venues, assuming patrons would make the shift to a new location. Both venues have ample space indoors and outdoors, are attractive, easy to get to, suitable in poor weather and avoid the problems of damage to public gardens.
Should there be any decision made to relocate to either the Showgrounds or the Racecourse, extensive planning would be needed. Firstly, additional refurbishment is planned for both venues and it would be important to consider the timing of these works and any potential conflict with the timing of the Show. Secondly, it might be appropriate to re-examine the Showgrounds following completion of the works to re-confirm their suitability once they are “open for business”. There may be other significant impacts on Show planning if re-location proceeds, for example: · Significant event re-design · Additional marketing to “sell” the show in a new location · Additional marketing to “sell” the re-design of the show · A new safety management plan, including a new evacuation plan · A new traffic management plan · A new exhibitor Manual
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While these re-location impacts are “one-off”, adequate time would be needed for the complete re-planning of the Show. If the Show does re-locate to one of these venues, City of Melbourne would no longer be directly involved as it does not manage either site.
Attachments:
Table 1: Summary evaluation of each venue against the success criteria for the Show
Appendices: Maps of the potential venues
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TABLE 1: SUMMARY OF VENUE ASSESSMENTS FOR MIFGS
Criterion Explanation/comment Carlton Carlton Birrarung Show Flemington Gardens Sth Gardens Nth Marr & grounds Racecourse & REB & REB Fed Square Sufficient outdoor space At least 88,000 sq.m. v v v
Sufficient indoor space At least 12,000 sq.m. v v v v
Outdoor venue ambience Attractive environment v that complements the v v v v (except 2007) Show’s purpose Indoor venue ambience Attractive environment that complements the v v v v v Show’s purpose
Connectivity between Contiguous spaces are indoor and outdoor spaces needed to avoid v v v multiple ticketing or pass-outs Capacity to restrict entry to ticket holders v v v v
Exhibitor Needs: § Physical access § Time for bump in/out § Excavation possible v v v v § Sloping terrain for views § Parking
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Criterion Explanation/comment Carlton Carlton Birrarung Show Flemington Gardens Sth Gardens Nth Marr & grounds Racecourse & REB & REB Fed Square Infrastructure: § Power v v v v § Water § Night lighting Weather considerations v v v v
Visor amenity and comfort: Visitor safety and § Wide walkways comfort are important § Walking surfaces particularly given high v v v v § Grassed sitting areas numbers of older § Shade visitors Disability Access v v v v
Access - public transport v v v v v
Access - car parking v v v v v
Site safety § For visitors v v v v v § For exhibitors § During bump in & out Impact on residential areas v v v v
Environmental Impact v v v v v
Consistency with park/site e.g. Park regulations, v v v v v regulations heritage regulations
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