Botanic Gardens Trust Annual Report
Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Mount Annan Botanic Garden 2007–2008
Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney 2000 Mount Annan Dr, Mount Annan 2567 Ph (02) 9231 8111 Fax (02) 9251 4403 Ph (02) 4648 2477 Fax (02) 4648 2465 • Gardens offices 8.30 am–5 pm Open all year round except Christmas Monday – Friday Day • shop & visitor centre • barbecue • Botanic Gardens Shop 9.30 am – & picnic facilities • restaurant 4.30 pm 9231 8125 & cafe • Education service & tours • Community education service Mount Tomah Botanic Garden bookings 9231 8134 Botanic Gardens Trust Annual Report 2007–2008 • Free guided walks 10.30 am every day Bells Line of Rd, via Bilpin 2758 • Botanical information service Ph (02) 4567 2154 Fax (02) 4567 2037 9231 8155 Open all year round except Christmas • Plant pathology diagnostic service Day • shop & visitor centre • restaurant 9231 8186 & cafe • education service & tours • Botanic Gardens Restaurant & cafe This annual report and further information Annual CO2 Produced by BGT 9241 24193,500
3,000 on the research, conservation and • Pavilion 2,500on the Park restaurant & cafe 2 education programs and services of the 9232 13222,000 1,500 Botanic Gardens Trust can be found at onnes CO T 1,000
• Accessible500 entrances & toilets www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
0 02–03 03–04 04–05 05–06 06–07 Gas Electricity Total
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Map of the Sydney region Botanic Gardens Trust Annual Report 2007–2008
Chair and Executive Director’s Report 5
Highlights of the Year 7
The Organisation 9
Corporate Governance 11
Plant Biodiversity and Habitats 17
Plants in Natural and Cultural Landscapes 21
Protecting Our Heritage 27
Botanic Gardens and Parklands 33
Community Support 37
Appendices 43
Financial Statements 58
Index 84
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 1 2 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Letter to the Minister
The Hon. Carmel Tebbutt MP Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Parliament House, Sydney 2000
Dear Minister
I have great pleasure in presenting the 2007–08 Annual Report of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust for presentation to Parliament.
This Report covers in full the Trust’s activities and Statement of Accounts in accordance with the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Act 1980, the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act and the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Regulations 2005.
Yours sincerely
Greg Martin Chairperson Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Photo: Bark of Eucalyptus pauciflora (Snow Gum or White Sally) — part of the Candlebark–Apple Box–Robertson’s Peppermint tall open forest community as defined in the Trust’s NSW Vegetation
J aime PLAZA Classification and Assessment Project.
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 3 4 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Chair and Executive Director’s Report
In just eight years the Botanic Gardens, Botanic Gardens and Domain. As part of one of Australia’s most treasured living the $8 million Central Depot restoration, institutions, will be 200 years old. three heritage glasshouses were Sydney’s Botanic Bicentenary will be a sympathetically renovated and a new chance to reflect on an extraordinary Plant Pathology laboratory built. The history whose achievements Main Ponds restoration program was are founded on the twin and completed, raising the sandstone walls interdependent attributes of all great in anticipation of rising sea levels. A institutions: relevance and resilience. new, 25-year lease for the Domain Car Greg Martin Tim Entwisle Planning for this historical event Park was signed, with plans for better continued throughout the year with the visitor amenities, improved landscape in finalisation of the Trust’s 2016 program. the Domain and additional support for Fundraising commenced — our big the Trust’s programs. challenge over the next few years will be to raise the money required to realise The historic Palm Grove continued to be our vision. under threat from increasing numbers of Grey-Headed Flying-Foxes, now up A major Bicentennial project is the to 22,000 at their peak. A licence to transformation of the Macquarie relocate the flying-foxes will be sought Precinct in the Royal Botanic Gardens. from the State and Commonwealth A design competition will herald a governments. In the meantime, our grand botanical gateway to the Gardens current wildlife licence allows the use at the corner of Bent and Macquarie of local deterrents such as the colourful Streets, with visionary landscaping and ‘inflatable man’ which discourages the new visitor facilities. The design will animals from those trees at most risk. be sympathetic to the existing fabric of the Gardens’ landscapes (including The Trust takes every opportunity to Morshead Fountain) and adjacent link the role of botanic gardens with precincts, and be a statement for the the natural environment. An important future. The Tropical Centre and other step in providing that bridge between glasshouses newly opened to the public the built and natural environment will display evolution in action and how came this year with the opening the plants will respond to climate change. Waratah Education Centre at Mount The whole precinct will connect to the Tomah Botanic Garden. The building centre of the Gardens through a treetop includes many sustainable features, including geothermal heating, and walk alongside the Palm Grove. natural ventilation and lighting. In 2009 Another exciting project for the Royal this facility will connect to the World Botanic Gardens is a Children’s Garden. Heritage Exhibition Centre, a partnership A safe, stimulating and exciting garden between the Botanic Gardens Trust and for children — a garden where children New South Wales National Parks and can explore and make things, and fire Wildlife Service. their imaginations. Concept designs Through a generous donation by John by the Government Architect’s Office Fairfax and his family, supplemented by feature innovative design, without funding from the Environmental Trust, detracting from the heritage values of we have been able to purchase a 33 the Garden’s location. There is much hectare piece of land adjacent to Mount planned, and we look forward to Tomah Botanic Garden. The purchase sharing our vision for a 21st century of ‘The Jungle’ provides a secure base botanic garden, tackling the big for the development of Mount Tomah Photo: Bark of Angophora leiocarpa environmental issues and inviting visitors Botanic Garden into the future and (Northern Smooth Barked Apple or Dirty to marvel at plants and their importance secures a block of temperate New South Gum) — part of the cypress pine shrubby to life on earth. Wales rainforest for future generations. woodland community as defined in the Trust’s NSW Vegetation Classification and This year saw a renewed focus on the We are delighted to report the launch,
J aime PLAZA Assessment Project. stewardship of the lands of the Royal by The Hon. Paul Lynch MP, Minister
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 5 for Aboriginal Affairs, of the Stolen Research at Mount Annan Botanic the support and investment of its Generations Memorial at Mount Garden. A pilot Diploma in Asia-Pacific stakeholder organisations, the Friends Annan Botanic Garden in October. The Botanic Garden management will be run of The Gardens and the Royal Botanic memorial provides an opportunity for in mid-2009, as a partnership between Gardens Foundation, our volunteers, all visitors to the Garden to reflect on the Botanic Gardens of Australia and the generosity of our donors and the Stolen Generations and the impact and New Zealand, Botanic Gardens sponsors. Special thanks go this year this era had on the lives of Indigenous Conservation International and the to our volunteers for their unstinting Australians. The setting, in native Singapore Botanic Gardens. contributions. The Trust would like to Cumberland Plain woodland, allows for acknowledge the dedication and hard quiet reflection. During the year the Trust reviewed its work of all staff, Friends, volunteers, visitor proposition for Mount Tomah honorary associates, external members The Bowden Centre (opened May Botanic Garden and began reviews of of our Trust and other committees — 2007) at Mount Annan Botanic Garden Mount Annan and Sydney estates. The all our supporters — for their ongoing continues to attract praise for its striking exercise is providing an opportunity commitment to the work of the Trust. design and sustainability features. On for the Trust to analyse the unique As we enter the third year of the Botanic top of a string of environmental awards, features of each of its estates, to refocus Bicentenary countdown, we invite the centre and its architects Kennedy its strategic marketing initiatives to you to join with us in supporting and Associates also won the 2008 Sulman increase the number of visitors — and preparing for this historic celebration. Award for Public Architecture. For an their enjoyment — through offering an architect, this award is the equivalent inspirational experience of the world of an artist’s Archibald, a ringing of plants. endorsement of the Trust’s commitment to design innovation. A new feature at Corporate sponsorship and private Mount Annan, the Grevillea Garden, benefactors continue to provide Greg Martin displays over 170 species of Grevillea, essential support to the ongoing Chair, Royal Botanic Gardens and and the extensive use of dry stone success of the Gardens. The Trust would Domain Trust walling continues what is becoming an especially like to thank Allianz Australia attraction in itself. and Mr Tony Maxwell and Ms Robyn Godlee for their generous support of the Published research is a key performance Rainforest Seed Conservation Program, indicator of research endeavours and a conservation initiative to study and citation of Trust scientific papers, an bank the short-lived seeds of Australian Dr Tim Entwisle international indicator of scientific rainforest species. Executive Director performance, was again in excess of comparable organisations. Eighteen new We were delighted this year to send species of plants, fungi and algae from the first Australian seeds into space, New South Wales and beyond were to test their resilience and promote discovered and described. the importance of seedbanking as an insurance policy against climate change. Partnerships were established and fundraising commenced for the Centre The Trust thanks the Royal Botanic for Plant Conservation and Research, Gardens Foundation for its pledge to a 2016 Bicentenary project at Mount support Youth Community Greening, a Annan Botanic Garden. State-of-the-art program to help disadvantaged youth to laboratories, a 21st century library, learn about gardening, conservation and and a suite of multi-function rooms the environment. The Vincent Fairfax and lecture facilities will attract scientists Family Foundation, Mrs Ros Packer and from New South Wales and other a private benefactor have generously parts of Australia, as well as provided four-years funding to the international scientists with research Foundation for the project. interests in Gondwana and inter- continental research. The Community Support section of this annual report provides further The Asia-Pacific Capacity Building details of the wonderful support the program will be just one program in Trust receives from the corporate and the Centre for Plant Conservation and private sector. The Trust greatly values
6 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Highlights of the Year
PLANT BIODIVERSITY AND HABITATS strengthened with Australian • Wild about Waratahs and Autumn • Publication of five new species of Museum, Taronga Zoo, Western Harvest Food & Wine Fair attract vascular plants, two species and Plains Zoo and Museum of Sydney. around 5,000 visitors. three genera of marine algae, four • Volunteer guides provide around • Annual event calendar at Mount species of lichens and seven species 960 free guided tours for more Annan draws around 15,000 of fungi. than 6,800 visitors to the three visitors — a record year. • New collections of 99 rare and botanic gardens. • Fathers Day at Mount Annan sees threatened plants added to the • Weekly Aboriginal Heritage tours a 42 per cent increase in visitors Herbarium collection, and 36 range of the Royal Botanic Gardens and 25 per cent increase in gate extensions. increasingly popular with tourists. revenue. • Success with research grants • Around 140 aspiring artists and • Landcom sponsored Carols at awarded to the Trust — including plant enthusiasts take part in a Mount Annan attract the largest involvement in two collaborative range of botanical illustration crowd yet of around 6,500 — an postdoctoral grants awarded by workshops. increase of over 15 per cent. the Australian Biological • ‘Community Greening’ reaches • Bowden Centre at Mount Annan Resources Study. around 3,300 people, particularly receives the 2008 Sulman Award • High productivity of scientific in areas of disadvantage. for Public Architecture. publications; 84 scientific • Grevillea Garden at Mount Annan, publications produced (14 above PROTECTING OUR HERITAGE displaying over 170 species of Grevillea within a rustic landscape target). • Stolen Generations Memorial at of dry stone walling, is completed. • Citation of Trust scientific papers Mount Annan launched in October again in excess of comparable by The Hon. Paul Lynch MP, organisations. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. SUPPORT & PARTNERSHIPS • Completion of Stage 2 of the • Total water use at Mount Annan • Friends of The Gardens provide New South Wales Vegetation reduced by 36 per cent to 33,000kL. $500,000 financial support to Classification and Assessment • Annual target met of 2.7 hectares the Trust. project covering 53 million of primary control of African • Donations to Royal Botanic Gardens hectares (65 per cent) of the State Olive within Cumberland Plain Foundation fund Youth Community now classified into 310 plant Woodland at Mount Annan. Greening and Rainforest Seed communities. • New ‘garden wall’ at the Tropical Conservation Program. • Collaborative research with Centre entrance supports a display • Environmental education program, the Sydney Metropolitan and of bromeliads and orchids that will Community Greening, funded Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment provide colourful displays for a to 2011. Management Authorities on the number of years. • Restoration of heritage statuary in distribution of Phytophthora • Purchase of a 33 hectare piece of the Royal Botanic Gardens funded cinnamomi, the cause of root-rot land adjacent to Mount Tomah disease, highlights the importance through gifts to Royal Botanic Botanic Garden, ‘The Jungle’ of this disease on bushland Gardens Foundation. provides a secure base for the communities in these regions. • Existing partnerships with development of Mount Tomah Landcom, M5 South West • SeedQuest NSW partnership with Botanic Garden into the future and the Millennium Seedbank (UK) sees Motorway and Pernod Ricard secures a block of temperate New Australia continue to make an 298 NSW seed collections made and South Wales rainforest for future duplicated at the NSW Seedbank. important contribution to the generations. Trust’s work. • Australian native seeds journey • Historic Main Ponds in the Royal • HSBC and Neutrog Fertilisers with Space Shuttle Discovery to the Botanic Gardens restored. International Space Station. partnerships deliver sustainable horticulture initiatives. BOTANIC GARDENS AND PARKLANDS PLANTS IN NATURAL AND CULTURAL • Private donors support fit-out of • Domain hosts tens of thousands Waratah World Heritage Education LANDSCAPES who come to see USS Kitty Hawk, Centre, Tropical Centre ‘Garden • Public programs for over 55,000 QE2 and Queen Victoria ships. Wall’ and purchase of laboratory visitors to the Trust’s three botanic • Increase by 33 per cent of equipment. gardens; nearly 14,000 participate community and government • Generous donation by John Fairfax in the Trust’s outreach initiatives. sponsored events in Royal Botanic and his family, supplemented by • Nearly 24,000 students Gardens and Domain. funding from the Environmental participating in school-based • Mount Tomah Waratah World Trust, funds purchase of ‘The lessons in the Gardens. Heritage Education Centre opened Jungle’, adjacent to Mount Tomah • Collaborative partnerships in June. Botanic Garden.
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 7 8 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 The Organisation
The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust (Botanic Gardens Our Mission Trust) is a statutory body and is part To inspire the appreciation and conservation of plants. of the Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW). Our Objectives The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Act 1980 defines the Trust’s objectives as: • to maintain and improve Trust lands, the National Herbarium of New South Wales and the collections of living and preserved plant life owned by the Trust • to increase and disseminate knowledge about the plant-life of Australia, and of New South Wales in particular • to encourage the public use and enjoyment of Trust lands by promoting and increasing the educational, historical, cultural and recreational value of these lands. When acting in pursuance of its Objects, the Trust is required to give particular emphasis to encouraging and advancing the study of systematic botany, and to plant conservation.
Our Values Our Estates In all that we do, the Botanic Gardens The Royal Botanic Gardens is an oasis in Trust values: the heart of the city of Sydney, comprising • Our natural and cultural environment 30 hectares of magnificent landscape adjacent to the Harbour, the Opera House • Advancing, disseminating and using and the central business district. knowledge • A safe, healthy and fulfilling The Domain is a 28-hectare urban park workplace situated on the eastern edge of the Sydney central business district. Its • Excellence spectacular geographical setting offers • Innovation and initiative extensive harbour and city views as well • Achieving more through partnerships. as recreation opportunities. The park is used for leisure, sport, recreation and tourism, as well as special events, and Our Business is endowed with significant natural and The Trust is responsible for a multifaceted cultural heritage values. organisation situated on four separate estates: the Royal Botanic Gardens, Mount Annan Botanic Garden the Domain, Mount Tomah Botanic displays the enormous diversity of our Garden and Mount Annan Botanic Australian flora. Covering over 400 Garden. Our estates are places of hectares on the south-western outskirts natural beauty where people can come of Sydney between Camden and Campbelltown in the Macarthur region, for peace, relaxation, entertainment, it is Australia’s largest botanic garden. recreation, education — and to discover more about plants and horticulture. Mount Tomah Botanic Garden, in the The National Herbarium of New South beautiful Blue Mountains west of Wales is a reference library of over 1.2 Sydney, displays one of the world’s million preserved plants, and underpins finest collections of cool-climate an extensive science program — with plants in a 28-hectare botanic garden Photo: Bark of Cadellia pentastylis (Ooline) cutting-edge research programs in adjacent to a 189-hectare natural — part of the Ooline forest community botany, ecology and horticulture of area. It is the natural gateway to as defined in the Trust’s NSW Vegetation plants, especially those of New South the Greater Blue Mountains World
J aime PLAZA Classification and Assessment Project. Wales and Australia. Heritage Area.
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 9 Organisation structure
Minister for Climate change and the environment Department of Botanic Gardens trust Environment and climate change
executive director
RBG finance & Science domain and ROYAL BOTANIC Mount Mount Foundation business & Public gardens BRANCH Annan Tomah Director services Programs Director botanic botanic Branch Branch garden garden Director Director Branch branch Public Royal Botanic Domain & Assistant Assistant Relations Gardens Infrastructure Director Director Manager Business Conservation Manager Manager Services & Horticultural Manager Research Horticulture Horticultural Development Manager Royal Botanic Domain & Manager Development Manager Gardens Horticultural Horticultural Financial Nursery Support Development Accounting Plant Supervisor Supervisor Administration, Officer Accountant Diversity Contracts Manager & Assets Royal Botanic Infrastructure Manager Gardens Management Public Gardens Supervisor Services Accounting Programs Botanic Horticultural Accountant Manager Horticulture Natural Supervisor Upper Gardens Infrastructure Heritage Supervisor Project Manager Botanical Coordinator Horticultural Information Services Service Royal Botanic Events & Horticultural Manager Gardens Events Marketing Supervisor Botanic Management Coordinator Horticulture Manager Resources Lower Gardens Ranger Manager Supervisor Services Senior Ranger
Library Living Senior Librarian Collections Administrator
Centre for Plant Conservation Coordinator
Design & Editorial Services Manager
Positions as at September 2008
10 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Corporate Governance
The Royal Botanic Gardens Legislative Changes and Domain Trust In 2007–08 there were no changes to the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Act 1980, the Annual Reports Trust is a statutory body established by (Statutory Bodies) Act or the Annual the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Reports (Statutory Bodies) Regulations. Trust Act 1980. The legislation defines the objectives, powers and functions Trust Meeting Attendance of the Trust and vests certain land and The Director, Finance and Business property in the Trust. It also governs the Services is Secretary to the Trust, and Regulations relating to all three botanic keeps the common seal. The Senior gardens and the Domain. The Trust is Executive Assistant records the minutes formally accountable to the Minister for of the Trust. The Trust met six times. Climate Change and the Environment for fulfilling the statutory requirements. Trustee Meetings Attended
The non-executive Trust members are Dr Katrina Fairley-Grenot 5 appointed by the Governor of NSW on Ms Tim Jackson 3 the recommendation of the Minister for Mr Greg Martin 5 a term of up to four years. The Trust’s Mr Tom Pinzone 5 membership represents a diversity of expertise and experience in horticulture, Mr Michael Samaras 5 plant sciences, business, industrial Prof. Susan Serjeantson 5 relations, education, and cultural and Mr Nigel Swinn 3 community affairs. Risk Management Remuneration Deloitte was engaged to review Remuneration of Trustees is determined and update the Trust’s business risk by the Premier under the guidelines for assessment and strategic internal the Remuneration and Categorisation audit plan. The full report is reviewed of Boards. The Trust is classified as an annually, with updates approved Advisory Committee which, under the by the Trust Finance Audit and Risk terms of the Act, is ‘… subject to the Management Committee. control and direction of the Minister …’. The Chairperson receives an annual fee The three-year internal audit plan has of $7,350 and the other Trustees each been developed to focus on areas of receive $3,675 per annum. greatest risk and is directly linked to the risk assessment review undertaken Trust Liability by Deloitte. The internal audit plan is Trustees and employees of the Trust cyclical over the period, balancing risk are covered by the Treasury Managed with finite Internal Audit resources. Fund for any legal liability, as long as This approach is consistent with the the action is not illegal or criminal and approach advocated by the Institute of outside the scope of their duties. Internal Auditors and the plan is aligned to current Best Practice Statements on Best Practice Internal Audit and Internal Controls. In meeting the Trust objectives and setting a clear strategic direction for Through the activity of Internal Audit the organisation, the Trustees are within those areas of risk identified, committed to best practice in corporate the Trust will receive assurance that governance. In 2007–08, Trustees the systems within the organisation conducted their activities with reference are operating in both an effective and to the Premier’s Conduct Guidelines for efficient manner and providing quality Members of NSW Government Boards information to management upon and Committees (see Appendix G). which decisions are made.
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 11 Our Trustees Dr KATE FAIRLEY-GRENOT years with The Australian Gas Light BSc (Hons), PhD (Sydney), MSc Science Company (AGL). While at AGL, Greg & Technology Policy (Sussex), FAICD held a variety of senior management roles both in Australia and overseas and (Appointed 8 January 2005; present term within a number of AGL’s associated expires 7 January 2009) entities. Between 2001 and 2006 Kate Grenot is a practitioner in the he served as Managing Director and Australian life sciences industry, with Chief Executive Officer of AGL. Greg interests in the role of plant science in is a Fellow of the Australian Institute society and in the domestic economy. of Management and a member of Kate Fairley-Grenot Tom Pinzone Kate has a PhD in plant physiology and the Australian Institute of Company investigated signal transduction in plants Directors. He is a non executive director as a research fellow at Harvard. She on the Board of Energy Developments subsequently spent several years with Ltd and has been appointed to the Coopers & Lybrand and now works as a Board of the newly formed Australian management consultant in Sydney. Kate Energy Market Operator Limited. is a reference committee member for the Federation of Australian Scientific Mr TOM PINZONE and Technological Societies. BE, FIEAust, MAICD Tim Jackson Michael Samaras (Appointed 26 April 2006; present term Ms TIM JACKSON expires 25 April 2010) Cert.Hort.UK, MAIH Tom Pinzone is a consulting civil (Appointed 29 May 2005; present term engineer with over 35 years professional expires 28 May 2009) experience. He is a Director of GHD Pty Tim Jackson, former Vice President Ltd and leads its Transportation Business of the NSW Council of the Australian Sector. His experience includes urban Institute of Horticulture, was President and regional development, water and Greg Martin Susan Serjeantson of the Friends of The Gardens from wastewater and transportation projects. 2001 to 2003. A pioneer member of the He is the co-author of a widely quoted Growing Friends, Tim was instrumental series of Australian Infrastructure in establishing the Friends’ Artisans Report Cards. Tom has a long history of Exhibition in 2000 and in implementing service with professional and industry the garden-themed Literary Lunch in associations at executive and committee conjunction with the Sydney Writers level including Engineers Australia, Festival in 2004. Tim, a member of the ACEA and AusCID and has served on a Horticultural Media Association, writes number of government advisory groups. Nigel Swinn freelance gardening articles for various magazines and is still involved Mr MICHAEL SAMARAS in the Australian Institute of BA (Hons) MBA Horticulture and very involved in community-based gardening. (Re-appointed 26 June 2006; present term expires 25 June 2010)
Mr GREG MARTIN Michael Samaras is the Manager, BEc, LLB Media and Communications for Sydney (Appointed Chair 1 December 2003; Airport. His communications experience appointed to Trust 1 July 2003; present covers the fields of media, marketing, term expires 30 June 2011) community and government relations. Michael is also a Director of the Auburn Greg Martin joined Challenger Financial & Lidcombe United Friendly Society. Services Group as Chief Executive, He has experience in a number of Challenger Infrastructure in May 2006 infrastructure sectors including urban after a career spanning more than 25 road transport.
12 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Prof. SUSAN SERJEANTSON Trust Committees Trust Committee Composition BSc (Hons), PhD Finance, Audit and Risk Finance, Audit and Risk (Re-appointed 21 December 2004; Management Committee Ensures Management Committee present term expires 20 December 2008) the sound financial position of the Dr Kate Fairley-Grenot (Chair), Trust through regular reviews of Mr Greg Martin, Mr Tom Pinzone Sue Serjeantson is a science policy financial position, budget, finance and Scientific Committee consultant and until May 2008 was business decisions, and policies which Assoc. Prof. Jeremy Bruhl, Dr Tim Executive Secretary of the Australian have an effect on these areas. The Entwisle, Dr Dan Faith, Dr Murray Academy of Science. Her research committee also has an important role Henwood, Dr Klaus Koop, Prof. Sue interests have focused on human in risk management and audit through Serjeantson (Chair), Dr Brett Summerell, genetics, at the University of Hawaii, endorsement of internal and external Dr Jane Tarran where she obtained her PhD, and then audit plans, review of audit reports and at the Papua New Guinea Institute implementation of recommendations, Botanic Gardens Committee of Medical Research. Sue joined the and the review of risk assessment Dr Tim Entwisle, Ms Judy Fakes, Australian National University in Canberra and management. During the year an Ms Tim Jackson (Chair), Mr Anton in 1976, first at the John Curtin School of Internal Audit of Fraud and Corruption James, Prof. Peter Martin, Mr Simon Medical Research and then, for four years Prevention was commenced. Leake, Ms Colleen Morris, Mr Michael from 1994, as Director of the Institute Samaras, Mr Mark Savio of Advanced Studies and Deputy Vice- Scientific Committee Oversees the scientific programs of the Trust Chancellor (Research). Her research in Statement of Responsibility molecular genetics and in improving the and reviews and advises the Trust outcome of organ transplantation has on research, scientific policy and the The Trust’s Board, Executive Director, been recognised by the National Clunies- operations of the National Herbarium of senior management and other employees have effected a risk Ross Award for Science and Technology, New South Wales. The focus, directions management and internal control the Ruth Sanger Medal and by the Order and performance of the Sciences process designed to provide reasonable of Australia. Branch and of individual programs are monitored through regular reporting. assurance regarding the achievement of the agency’s objectives. The internal Mr NIGEL SWINN This year the committee provided advice on the upcoming major review of the audit function conducts a program of review to assess these controls. (Appointed 11 November 2005; present science programs at the Trust, major term expires 10 November 2008) funding bids, ongoing restructuring of To the best of our knowledge, this the Sciences Branch and planning for system of risk management and internal Nigel Swinn has worked as a brand new scientific programs. control operated satisfactorily during builder for over twenty years — originally the year. growing a successful brand consultancy Botanic Gardens Committee Advises in New Zealand called Designworks, the Trust on the operations, requirements Significant improvements in risk then after the business was bought out and priorities of the Botanic Gardens management and internal control by John Singleton’s STW group, forming Branch and Public Programs Section effected during the year, as well as an Australian consultancy called Yello. programs. It also advises the Trust on risk those planned for the future, are Now head of Yello’s strategic services, management and ethics in collections included in this report. Nigel works as a brand consultant to a curation and promotes interaction number of Australian and New Zealand between the Trust and other collection- businesses — working closely with the based cultural institutions in the areas of senior executives of companies as diverse education, interpretation and exhibition as Westpac and Vodafone, Camp Quality design. This year the committee advised Greg Martin and the Cancer Council. Previously a the Trust on the renovations of Sydney Chair, Royal Botanic Gardens and marketing manager at Tourism New Gardens’ Main Ponds, Children’s Garden, Domain Trust Zealand, Nigel has facilitated business signage and interpretation policies; and brand strategies for brands ranging Mount Annan’s Connections Garden, from large corporates such as Air New Adventure Playground, and regional Zealand, Rio Tinto and Wattyl paints, to cycleway; Mount Tomah’s woodlands, small and entrepreneurial brands like the tree landscape projects and World award-winning Bee Eco products range, Heritage Centre; and the Public Programs Dr Tim Entwisle the Cape York Indigenous Enterprise Section yearly plan. Executive Director community and Taronga Zoo. n
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 13 Our Executive Mark Savio Hort.Cert
Dr Tim Entwisle Director, Domain and Royal Botanic BSc (Hons), PhD Gardens Executive Director and New South Wales Responsible for the management of Government Botanist all services and operations at the Royal Tim Entwisle Mark Savio Accountable to the Royal Botanic Botanic Gardens and Domain. Gardens and Domain Trust, Director- General Department of Environment and Caz McCallum Climate Change, and the Minister for MAg (Turf Mgt), BA, DipEd Climate Change and the Environment for the efficient and effective management Assistant Director, Mount Annan Botanic of the organisation, including its Garden horticultural, scientific, educational, Responsible for the management of all marketing, commercial and corporate Brett Summerell Caz McCallum services and operations at Mount Annan support functions. Botanic Garden.
Dr Brett Summerell Rob Smith BScAgr (Hons), PhD BA, NatHortCert, FRIH
Director, Science and Public Programs Assistant Director, Mount Tomah Botanic Responsible for the leadership and Garden management of Science and Public Responsible for the management of all Clare Hamilton Rob Smith Programs, including systematics, services and operations at Mount Tomah ecological and horticultural research, as Botanic Garden. n well as the National Herbarium of NSW, library and laboratories, and for the community education program.
Clare Hamilton BBus (Accounting), CPA
Director Finance and Business Services
Responsible for the organisation’s financial resource management and business services, including leasing and Sydney Gardens retail. Secretary to the Trust and the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee.
14 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Delivering Our Services Research • taking a strategic approach to ensure • investigating the systematics, that we provide clear and relevant There are five broad areas under which ecology, horticulture and pathology information to the public about the the Botanic Gardens Trust delivers its of plants and related organisms and activities and objectives of the Trust. programs. disseminating the results. • developing sponsorship and other Botanic Gardens and Parks Programs • contributing to the development and support for the activities of the Trust. • maintaining and developing the implementation of State, national and international policies. Domain for recreation, relaxation and Results and Services Priorities celebrations. • maintaining and enhancing the Trust performance is measured through collection of preserved plants in the • maintaining and improving key indicators linked to its Results and National Herbarium of NSW, and significant living collections in the Services Plan, a whole of Government making the information held in the three botanic gardens. initiative to better link corporate collection readily accessible. • interpreting the living collections in outcomes with Government. The • providing botanical information and the three botanic gardens for visitors. Plan provides information to Treasury identifications. and to the Minister about the Trust’s • looking after the heritage items on • supporting science and related performance, particularly the results that each site. programs through provision of the Trust is achieving with the funding • maintaining the facilities and open library, scientific illustration, research it receives. This Plan also identifies the space of the three botanic gardens facilities and vehicles. Trust’s service delivery priorities. The Trust is required to submit a Results to accommodate a wide range of Commercial Services recreational and educational uses. and Services Plan as part of the annual • enabling commercial operators to budget process. Like the rest of the Public Programs establish services and businesses for Department, the Trust addresses the key • facilitating community and other the public. Government environmental priorities and also contributes to key economic events and activities on Trust lands. • maintaining pay parking operations and health results for New South Wales. • coordinating, facilitating and to assist with Trust-funded projects. promoting plant conservation • maintaining retail outlets to support The Government’s major objective of programs within and outside the Trust objectives and generate a sustainable community is reported Trust through the Centre for Plant income. on through Results and Services Conservation (to become part strategies designed to protect and of the proposed Centre for Plant • operating a quality commercial restore biodiversity, to protect cultural Conservation and Research). horticultural service. heritage, to develop Sydney as a tourist • administering a system of licences destination, to work towards more • providing valuable scientific, liveable neighbourhoods, and to increase Indigenous and environmental and leases that balance the interests of all current and future users of the number of people using sport and educational resources for individuals, recreation to improve their wellbeing. other learning institutions and key Trust lands. communities. Management of Resources This annual report is structured around the Trust’s Corporate Plan, an integration • providing visitors with meaningful • complying with applicable legislation of Government Results and Services learning experiences as well as including the State Records Act Priorities with Trust key services and enjoyable outings, together with 1998, the Privacy and Personal objectives. It includes a number of major a Statewide service of learning Information Act 1998 and the milestones towards the Trust’s Botanic opportunities for those who don’t or Freedom of Information Act 1989. Bicentenary in 2016. These milestones can’t visit our sites. • as part of the Department of take us to 2010, and include some that • maintaining a program of activities Environment and Climate Change, will commence in subsequent years. n and events for tourists to NSW. implementing Government policy
initiatives such as Equal Employment Opportunity, Ethnic Affairs Priorities and the Disability Policy Framework to ensure that discrimination in access to employment, services and facilities is eradicated.
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 15 16 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Plant Biodiversity and Habitats
The scientific program of the The Trust also manages natural areas • Australian native seeds journey Botanic Gardens Trust is the and living plant collections (including with Space Shuttle Discovery to the the New South Wales Seedbank), as International Space Station. oldest and one of the most highly well as preserved plant collections within Well managed scientific and respected in Australia. Through our the National Herbarium of New South Wales. These habitats and collections conservation collections research and scientific programs, are key assets of the Trust, and a vital The Botanical Information Service the Trust is a major contributor to resource to our scientists as well as the identified and processed 99 new records the discovery and conservation of broader community. and threatened plants from New South Wales. The Herbarium accessioned plant biodiversity in New South four new species to science (still to be Wales, as well as nationally and Program Highlights researched and described), six new internationally. Success with grants awarded to the records for New South Wales, and 36 extensions of range. • Publication of five new species of vascular plants, two species and three Duplicate specimens were exchanged genera of marine algae, four species with other herbaria, resulting in of lichens and seven species of fungi. 2,409 specimens being added to the herbarium; 1,893 duplicates were sent • New collections of 99 rare and in exchange. Specimens added from threatened plants added to the other sources totalled 1,503. Around Herbarium collection, and 36 range 15,000 specimens were mounted by the extensions. volunteer mounting team. • Success with research grants awarded to the Trust — including involvement in Curation of herbarium specimens in two collaborative postdoctoral grants the National Herbarium of NSW met or awarded by the Australian Biological exceeded most national benchmarks Resources Study. for Australian herbaria. The large number of unmounted specimens is • High productivity of scientific being addressed through the specimen publications; 84 scientific publications mounting program, staffed by produced (14 above target). volunteers, which continues to make • Citation of Trust scientific papers again significant inroads into mounting the in excess of comparable organisations. collection, especially new accessions. • Completion of Stage 2 of the New The level of databasing was considerably South Wales Vegetation Classification higher than the previous year due to and Assessment project covering 53 funding for stage two of Australia’s million hectares (65 per cent) of the Virtual Herbarium project. This funding State now classified into 310 plant allowed for 12,800 specimens to be communities. databased during the year.
• Collaborative research with the Sydney The SeedQuest NSW partnership with Metropolitan and Hawkesbury-Nepean the Millennium Seedbank (UK) saw 298 Catchment Management Authorities NSW seed collections (accessions) made on the distribution of Phytophthora and duplicated at the NSW Seedbank cinnamomi, the cause of root-rot (Mount Annan) and the Millennium disease, highlights the importance of Seedbank. Despite drought conditions in this disease on bushland communities many parts of the State, the SeedQuest in these regions. project is maintaining its collecting • SeedQuest NSW partnership with target — total collections sent to the the Millennium Seedbank (UK) sees Millennium Seedbank thus far are 1,167 Photo: Bark of Corymbia torelliana (Cadaga or 298 NSW seed collections made and — well on way to the target of 1,500 by Cadaghi), typically from Queensland, is yet duplicated at the NSW Seedbank. year 2010. to be included in the Trust’s NSW Vegetation
SIMONE PIETA COTTRELL SIMONE PIETA Classification and Assessment Project.
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 17 Plant Disease Diagnostic Unit requests Accurate and timely scientific The Trust is represented on the New 300 information South Wales Scientific Committee which makes recommendations on 250 The Trust’s aim is to publish a mix the listing of organisms as threatened of papers for general and scientific species within the State. Trust scientists 200 audiences each year. Eighty-four also serve on a number of international scientific publications were produced by 150 biodiversity committees including Trust scientists and honorary research Species 2000 and the Global Biodiversity 100 associates in a range of international
Number of diagnostic jobs Information Facility. Such programs aim journals, well over the target of 70. 50 to ensure that biodiversity information Sixteen general interest articles were is consistent between countries and is 0 published, just under the target of 20. 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 Two volumes of each of the Trust’s shared in an equitable fashion. journals Telopea and Cunninghamia The Citation Indices graph compares were published and included a range the number of times scientific papers of scientific papers not only from staff by groups of our researchers are of the Trust but also scientists from cited in international journals with Australian and State government a comparative group of researchers Number of hits on PlantNET website agencies and a number of universities. from other Australian institutions. This 900 year again Trust scientists performed 800 A number of species new to science were described by Trust scientists and honorary above average. Note that this is not the 700 research associates, including five species complete number of times papers have 600 of vascular plants, two species and three been cited as the International Scientific 500 genera of marine algae, four lichens and Index does not collate information from 400 seven species of fungi. all journals. It is also weighted in favour 300 of disciplines that have a short and rapid
Number of hits (’000) 200 The target for botanical information citation life (e.g. medicine). service delivery of 70 per cent of inquiries 100 to be answered within seven days The number of grants achieved and the 0 2004 – 05 2005 – 06 2006 – 07 2007 – 08 was exceeded this year (reaching 88 total amount of funds awarded was per cent). The number of requests for increased substantially over last year diagnosis at the Plant Disease Diagnostic with success in a number of areas of Unit (PDDU) continued to be high with research. Of particular note was that a strong demand for detection of soil- Trust scientists were awarded two of the borne pathogens, particularly those five new grants for employment of post- Number of students supervised species causing Phytophthora root-rot. doctoral scientists working in taxonomic 60 The PDDU was funded by the Sydney research by the Australian Biological Metropolitan Catchment Management Resources Study. Note that the data 50 Authority and the Hawkesbury Nepean included in the Externally Funded Grants Catchment Management Authority to 40 graph includes grants awarded directly survey bushland in those regions for the to the Trust as well as those awarded to 30 presence of Phytophthora cinnamomi other institutions where Trust staff are — the cause of root-rot. Over 800 soil co-investigators. See Grant Funding to 20 samples were analysed, with many areas the Trust (Appendix D) for a detailed list confirmed to be infested by the pathogen. 10 of grants. Number of post-graduate students Management plans will be developed to 0 control the pathogen spread. 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2016 Botanic Bicentenary PlantNET, including NSW Flora Online, is the Trust’s web plant information Project Milestones service. Patronage continues at a very high level and it is increasingly used to Towards 2016 we will: provide identification information for a Make the living collections range of clients. Further development of knowledge accessible to all NSW this site is planned for 2008 – 09. citizens through the web by 2008
18 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Citation indices BGT Benchmark The first stage of a web-based tree Establish a local season calendar 600 database was completed. It will allow accessible to the whole community visitors, including professionals such for Sydney, based on floristic and 500 as landscape designers, tree-care Indigenous knowledge, by 2009
400 professionals and academics, the opportunity to review the Trust’s tree The Trust is leading the establishment 300 collections and their locations prior of a national ‘phenology’ project to to visiting the Gardens. This Friends’ monitor changes in plant biology 200 funded project will be launched in and behaviour associated with climate change. A Memorandum of 100 2008 – 09. Indexed no. of times papers cited Understanding between Earthwatch, 0 Develop and utilise new molecular Council of Heads of Australasian Systematic Ecology Horti- Population Plant tools (e.g. DNA barcoding) for Botanic Gardens, and Botanic Gardens Botany cultural Genetics Pathology/ Research Mycology identification and diagnosis of of Australia and New Zealand has been species, and for investigating the drafted. evolution of the Australian biota by 2009 Continue to contribute to relevant targets in the Global Strategy for Externally funded grants awarded DNA barcoding is a technique where Plant Conservation by 2010 to Trust and collaborations small specific segments of DNA are 45 fingerprinted to provide a ‘barcode’ See Appendix A. 40 for the identification of that organism. 35 The identification of species from only 30 fragments of material may be possible Planned Bicentenary Milestone 25 and barcoding has wide ranging uses Projects 20 from forensics to threatened species • Recognise, interconnect and advance 15 protection. The Trust is represented Indigenous knowledge as part of on the Australian Barcode Network Number of external grants 10 our conservation research program Committee, set up to facilitate 5 by 2010. communication and collaboration 0 • Extend the breadth and reach of 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 between researchers and organisations in barcoding projects and to represent our scientific knowledge through Australia in the Consortium for the strategic alliances with relevant Barcode of Life program. The committee overseas herbaria and research will also lobby for major funding for organisations by 2009. Australian collaborative projects focused • Create a ‘natural history cluster’ External funds provided to Trust on DNA barcoding. 1.8 and ‘intellectual precinct’ with like- minded organisations in Sydney 1.6 As a result of this the Trust, along with by 2009. 1.4 the Australian Museum and the NSW
1.2 Department of Primary Industries, signed • Complete the opening up of the
1 a Memorandum of Understanding with preserved plant collections (the the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario 0.8 Herbarium), including links to an and the Ontario Genomic Institute enhanced PlantNET, as part of the 0.6 to collaborate on barcoding activities Atlas of Living Australia project Funds supplied ($ millions) 0.4 through ‘iBOL’, the International by 2010. 0.2 Consortium on the Barcode of Life. The • Establish a long-term science 0 Trust, along with scientists from the 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 program in New South Wales to Australian Tropical Herbarium and The record and document changes University of Adelaide, are coordinating in plant, algal and fungal Australian involvement in TreeBOL, a communities in response to changing project which aims to produce DNA environments by 2010. n barcodes for all of the trees of the world. This ambitious project has been seed-funded by the Sloan Foundation for approximately $500,000.
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 19 20 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Plants in Natural and Cultural Landscapes
Botanic gardens worldwide Program Highlights Lessons about Aboriginal culture and plants continued to be very popular with are committed to education • Public programs for over 55,000 visitors around 6,800 students participating. to the Trust’s three botanic gardens; for sustainability. Our diverse The majority of lessons conducted at nearly 14,000 participate in the Trust’s Mount Annan Botanic Garden related collections and cultural landscapes outreach initiatives. to this theme and over 2,000 children provide a unique opportunity • Nearly 24,000 students participating in from Stages 2 and 3 (Years 3–6), to influence public attitudes school-based lessons in the Gardens. their teachers and families in the local Campbelltown area took part in a towards plant conservation and • Collaborative partnerships special whole day program called ‘Safe strengthened with Australian the environment. The Trust’s plant- Koori Kids’. This program was funded Museum, Taronga Zoo, Western Plains related programs and displays Zoo and Museum of Sydney. through the National Health and Medical appeal to different sectors of the Research Council and was designed to • Volunteer guides provide around 960 build Aboriginal family and community community and suit the wide free guided tours for more than 6,800 resilience and promote safety. range of learning styles. Our visitors to the three botanic gardens. An interpretive banner with a Darug programs encourage sustainable • Weekly Aboriginal Heritage tours of story, ‘Waratah Creation’, was the Royal Botanic Gardens increasingly gardening and link humans to the developed to take out to schools and popular with tourists. also to be displayed annually at the natural world, thereby equipping • Around 140 aspiring artists and plant Mount Tomah Waratah Festival. A the community to become enthusiasts take part in a range of poster about the impact of picking environmentally responsible. botanical illustration workshops. waratahs in the wild was also developed in collaboration with Department of • Community Greening reaches around Environment and Climate Change’s 3,300 people, particularly in areas of Parks & Wildlife Division. These will disadvantage. be distributed to schools in the Blue High quality school education and Mountains and on the far north and public programs delivered south coasts. Mount Tomah Botanic Garden staff delivered programs on the Community Education staff and trained significance of the Waratah to around volunteer guides ran public programs for 1,000 students at eight schools as a around 55,000 visitors to the Trust’s three follow-on to the Mount Tomah botanic gardens this year. All programs Waratah Festival. provided a personal and interactive experience to bring students and the Professional development opportunities general community closer to nature, to were provided on request. For example, experience its abundance and complexity 90 Aboriginal highschool students and to learn how to care for it. An from Sydney and students from Ti Tree additional 14,000 people participated in School in the Northern Territory (and the Trust’s outreach initiatives. their mentors from University of Sydney) Lessons in the Gardens were delivered attended a half-day workshop on plant to nearly 24,000 students and resource related careers, Aboriginal cultural materials were developed for schools, heritage and plant uses at the Royal including a new excursions brochure Botanic Gardens. Six teacher-trainees promoting all three botanic estates, a from the Faculty of Education at UTS presentation folder Bringing Learning to undertook 120 hours of practicum at Life and updated teachers kits. the Royal Botanic Gardens where they participated in program delivery and A number of lessons for Kindergarten developed educational materials for use Photo: Bark of Angophora leiocarpa to Year 12 students were revised to inside and outside the classroom. (Northern Smooth Barked Apple or Dirty incorporate key messages for ‘Climate The Trust ran its eighth year of Gum) — part of the cypress pine shrubby Change Education in Botanic Gardens’ woodland community as defined in the and new lessons such as The Need for Australian Biota lessons to Year 11/Stage Trust’s NSW Vegetation Classification and Shelter, Warbling Magpies, Garden Design 6 Preliminary Biology in partnership
J aime PLAZA Assessment Project. and Maintaining a Balance were written. with the Australian Museum and
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 21 Taronga Zoo. Over 2,700 students took bushwalking activities for 160 children part in sessions delivered at the Royal and, at Mount Tomah Botanic Garden, Botanic Gardens, Mount Annan and seasonal adventure quests continued to Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens. The be popular. Self-guiding quests on Webs program was conceived in 2000 and and Wing; Scales, Tails and Teeth; Larger attracted 540 students in its first year. than Life and Beez Buzzabout with In addition, Trust community education clues scattered all around the Garden officers delivered Australian Biota entertained and educated over 2,400 and Maintaining a Balance lessons at children and their families. Western Plains Zoo to approximately 500 Stage 6 students (years 11/12) Botanical illustration at the Royal Botanic Gardens began with the J aime PLAZA from 15 different Central Western and Western high schools. establishment of the Herbarium in 1901, and the tradition continues to The Trust is also involved in a school this day. Under the guidance of award- program partnership with education winning teachers, including the Trust’s staff at the Museum of Sydney. The illustrators, over 140 aspiring artists and Contact program was developed in plant enthusiasts took part in a range of 2002 for Year 8/Stage 4 History students income generating botanical illustration and the area of study is Australia workshops. Over a dozen courses of 1788 –1820: the nature and impact of varying length were offered, as well as colonisation and contact. In this, an autumn school holiday course — its sixth year of operation, around The Beauty of Insects, designed 1,000 students and their teachers took especially to improve basic drawing part in lessons delivered at the ‘Cadi skills in school and university students, Jam Ora – First Farm’ display at the and absolute beginners. Royal Botanic Gardens. Volunteer guides are trained to research, Since August 2005, the Trust has design and deliver themed talks and sponsored the Department of Education walks that appeal to different sectors and Training’s Year 11 Premier’s of the community. As just one example, Debating Challenge for Schools. As this year’s History Week talk and well as providing stimulus topics about walk focused on the Palace Garden plants and environmental topics for all and the Macquarie Street precinct. debating students, the Trust hosted the Volunteer guides also led walks for NSW regional and State semi-finals. Topics Government Heritage Volunteer Awards chosen for these debates included ‘The participants, a History of the Domain Federal Government should take control tour for the Royal Botanic Gardens of the environment’ and ‘Nuclear energy Foundation and an Introduction to the is worth the risk’. Gardens tour for new Friends’ members. The Trust is committed to providing The Trust’s major Arbor Day celebration children (and their carers) with (as part of Community Greening) took meaningful learning experiences beyond place at Willmot Public School. Over the school curriculum. This year’s holiday 220 students, 80 staff and community activities reinforced where our food guests participated in the planting of comes from and the dependence of all more than 1,000 native plants. Mount life on plants. School holiday programs Annan Botanic Garden staff celebrated at the Royal Botanic Gardens targeted Arbor Day with 54 children at Claymore vacation groups and 700 children participated in activities including Bugs Public School, 28 children at St Helen’s Photo: Horticulturist Paul Nicholson and Beasties and Spudz4Kids. 2008 is Park Public School and a further 28 (foreground), Executive Director Dr Tim the United Nations Year of the Potato. at Kentlyn Public School. Unfortunately, Entwisle and Begonia enthusiast Peter Sharp poor weather precluded any Arbor at the opening of the Begonia Garden in the Mount Annan Botanic Garden provided Day event linked to Mount Tomah Royal Botanic Gardens. full-day orienteering, plant craft and Botanic Garden.
22 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 STEPHEN PAUL In September, Mount Annan Botanic School based activities included the Garden staff supported Camden third annual Sustainable Schools Expo, Council’s Camden Fun Day for with Mount Annan Botanic Garden’s preschoolers. The community education community education staff, and a officer and two fourth-year apprentices display was held at Macarthur Square helped 200 children plant a ‘magic during Science Week. bean’, complemented by storytelling focusing on colours. The future of Community Greening was secured with the announcement Partnership education programs in the by The Hon. Matt Brown MP, NSW urban and regional environment Minister for Housing, of a government The Trust is committed to delivering funding commitment of $781,000 educational programs ‘beyond our to 2011. The Royal Botanic Gardens Gardens’ walls’ to improve community Foundation pledged support for ‘Youth knowledge of plants in their local area Community Greening’, a program to and to train the gardening public in inspire disadvantaged youth to learn sustainable horticultural methods. about gardening, conservation and the environment. The Trust is grateful to the Eden Education is a joint initiative of the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, Mrs Trust with Eden Gardens and Garden Ros Packer and a private benefactor for Centre at North Ryde that has been providing four years funding towards the running for four years. Eden Gardens ‘Youth Community Greening’ project. and Garden Centre also supports the Botanic Gardens Trust’s and NSW Community Greening staff delivered Department of Housing’s Community 269 sessions to 3,365 participants on Greening initiative by providing surplus 250 visits to community garden projects. plant stock and materials for communal The ‘Youth Community Greening’ team gardening projects for disadvantaged visited 20 schools and garden clubs in its communities. This year more than 1,100 first two months of operation. Since its people attended Eden Education’s inception in 2000, Community Greening
J aime PLAZA 80 gardening skills courses and short has assisted nearly 200 disadvantaged workshops. Eden Education and communities develop communal Community Greening staff were also gardens throughout NSW. involved in a Spring Sustainability Expo To date, approximately 23,000 held at Eden Gardens in September, in participants have received horticultural conjunction with City of Ryde Council. training and advice from Trust Over 700 people attended a range of community education horticulturists. lectures, workshops, live entertainment, stalls and children’s activities. For the second time, Community Greening celebrated International Day The Macarthur Centre for Sustainable of People with a Disability in NSW Living (MCSL) is a Trust and community through the statewide ‘Don’t DIS My partnership aimed at encouraging ABILITY’ campaign. The Ambrose sustainable practices in all facets of Community Nursery in the Rosemeadow urban life. This year around 2,900 Estate held an Open Day in December children were engaged in school or to highlight the participation by people holiday programs, and another 2,000 Photo top: Since its inception in 2000, with a disability in this garden project. Community Greening has assisted nearly people participated in community The local community was joined by VIPs, 200 communities develop communal activities. clients of the Junction Works Disability gardens throughout NSW. Service and students from Passfield Park Over 1,500 people attended MCSL’s Special School. Photo below: A student from Bilpin Public Spring Open Day in September School tests a state-of-the-art video and enjoyed a range of gardening In an inspired initiative, the Australia Day microscope in Mount Tomah’s new demonstrations, workshops, organic Council purchased 146 small Wollemi Waratah Education Centre. food, tours and eco-smart home ideas. Pines from the Trust to be used as table
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 23 J aime PLAZA decorations for the official Australia Day Plant scientists trained and mentored function and then donated them back Following the success of the first to the Community Greening outreach botanical intern program last year, program. The plants were collected the Friends of The Gardens’ funded and stored at the Ambrose Community program was run again in January Nursery at Rosemeadow Public Housing and February 2008. Eleven interns Estate prior to their distribution by participated in lectures, fieldwork, job Department of Housing staff to selected application training and a diverse range communities throughout the State. of work projects (rearranging 2,000 Visitor facilities and services managed boxes of three major plant families, and successfully incorporation of and processing of over 2,500 specimens). A signage advisory team was established to foster a more strategic approach Scientific staff made significant to signage production and to develop contributions to the teaching programs interpretation at Trust estates. Nearly of several universities either by 200 staff, volunteers and Friends presenting lectures or through the attended briefing sessions to learn supervision of postgraduate students more about interpretation objectives (e.g. University of Sydney, University
J aime PLAZA and signage production. Signage of New South Wales, University of maintenance focused on replacing Technology Sydney, University of damaged signs in the Royal Botanic Newcastle and the University of New Gardens and Domain. Two new England). Trust scientists also hold electronic message boards were installed adjunct positions at these universities. at Woolloomooloo and Morshead The Trust continued its partnership Fountain Gates. arrangement with the University of New England and Australian Museum to This year volunteer guides conducted deliver specialist biosystematics units. over 1000 free guided tours for 7,000 visitors to the three botanic gardens. Postgraduate students continue to Royal Botanic Gardens’ guides stationed make significant contributions to the at the Palm Grove Centre provided Trust’s scientific program, with over interpretation and information to 15,000 30 supervised by Trust scientists and visitors. Guides also produce a monthly 12 based full-time with the Trust. The ‘Must See’ flyer which is distributed Director Science and Public Programs through the information booths and on helped to present a workshop to over the Trust’s website. Weekly Aboriginal 30 participants on the identification of Heritage tours of the Royal Botanic the fungal genus Fusarium, in Malaysia, Gardens attracted 800 visitors. with participants from throughout Asia. Fusarium species cause a number A podcast, Touching Time, is now of devastating diseases of plants, available for hire from the Mount Tomah produce an array of toxins and can act Garden Shop and is freely available on as human pathogens. the web for downloading. The program Photo top: A living ‘garden wall’ of bromeliads includes interviews with Trust scientists and orchids at the entrance to the Tropical as well as Tomah horticulturists and Centre provided a natural focus for school botanical and education staff. groups attending the launch of Youth Community Greening, a community garden program aimed at youth in need.
Photo below: Plant Pathologist Dr Ed Liew and researcher Trish Meagher injecting phosphonate into a wild Wollemi Pine affected by Phytophthora root-rot.
24 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 J aime PLAZA 2016 Botanic Bicentenary Complete the Wollemi Walk of Project Milestones Discovery — clonal collection planting and development at Towards 2016 we will: Mount Annan Botanic Garden by 2008 Complete the new Education Centre at Mount Annan Botanic Garden Corporate support will be sought in the by 2007 coming year for the development of the Wollemi Walk of Discovery. Completed in 2007.
Begin propagating work for a Planned Bicentenary Milestone bicentennial commemorative plant Projects release by 2007 • Create a Wollemi Pine grove The Waratah Camellia has been chosen and other ‘accessible wilderness’ as a potential commemorative plant for experiences in the Conservation Area the Trust’s Bicentenary in 2016. To date at Mount Tomah Botanic Garden by only 32 cuttings, collected from Camden 2009 Park, have struck so tissue culture will • Enhance the interpretation of our be investigated as an alternative means SIMONE PIETA COTTRELL SIMONE PIETA Gardens (including the microscopic of propagation. Seeds from Grevillea world and wildlife) through better hybrids have also been collected in the signage, innovative wayfinding, Garden each month for propagation. and novel forms such as artwork, This lengthy process may, in the long- new technologies and challenging term, identify new commercial potential approaches by 2009 for a variety of native plants. • Reveal the ‘underwater garden’ of Organise collecting trips and Sydney Harbour by 2010 n partnerships to introduce new and exciting plants into the Trust collections by 2008
The Friends of The Gardens agreed to fund this project for three years and the first collecting trip will take place in 2008–09.
Build an education classroom linked to the Visitor Centre at Mount Tomah Botanic Garden by 2008
The Waratah World Heritage Centre was opened by futurist Richard Neville in June. The building includes many sustainable features, including geothermal heating, natural ventilation and lighting, and a large thermal mass
Photo top: Students from nearby Bilpin Public through using local basalt stone walls School helped celebrate the opening and flagging. Additional funds were of the Waratah Education Centre with a choir donated by the O’Conor family to fit- performance of the song ‘Snow Gum’. out the classroom with state-of-the-art teaching facilities including audio visual Photo below: Wollemi Walk of Discovery at equipment, video microscopes and Mount Annan Botanic Garden. Corporate aquatic display cases. support will be sought in the coming year for further development of the walk.
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 25 26 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Protecting Our Heritage
The Botanic Gardens Trust is Program Highlights large eucalypt. It was decided that the small lawn should be replaced entrusted with the care and • Stolen Generations Memorial at with an extension to the existing Mount Annan launched in October protection of gardens, parks, garden bed. The area was replanted by The Hon. Paul Lynch MP, Minister with a range of native species bushland and buildings with for Aboriginal Affairs. linked to Daniel Solander’s botanic significant heritage value. We • Total water use at Mount Annan collecting expeditions. are committed to maintaining reduced by 36 per cent to 33,000kL. • A second Begonia Garden was and improving our cultural, built • Annual target met of 2.7 hectares opened. The begonia collection and natural heritage, including of primary control of African Olive is one of the largest in the world within Cumberland Plain Woodland and these outdoor displays are of the collections of living plants — at Mount Annan. international significance. for future generations. Values of • New ‘garden wall’ at the Tropical An important responsibility of the sustainability and environmental Centre entrance supports a display Trust is to maintain the heritage values responsibility underlie of bromeliads and orchids that will of its estates. The Trust has received provide colourful displays for a an annual budget of $400,000 for management decisions throughout number of years. heritage building maintenance at the the organisation. We aim to lead Sydney estates since 2003. This funding • Purchase of a 33 hectare piece of provides for an increased level of the way in sustainable land adjacent to Mount Tomah maintenance to the Trust’s collection of horticultural practices. Botanic Garden, ‘The Jungle’ heritage buildings, in an effort to bridge provides a secure base for the a significant gap in the preventative development of Mount Tomah maintenance area. Initial works Botanic Garden into the future and were to weatherproof the buildings, secures a block of temperate New predominantly by re-roofing them or South Wales rainforest for future doing substantial roofing repairs to generations. prevent any further water penetration • Historic Main Ponds in the Royal and subsequent damage. More Botanic Gardens restored. recently, aspects such as plaster repairs, timber repairs and painting have been Excellence in horticulture and completed to improve the appearance maintenance of built assets and and functionality of these buildings, landscapes whilst at the same time ensuring Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain conservation and heritage values. Horticultural standards continue to This year, major works in the heritage rise, and a program of repair and building program included external maintenance of our most important repairs and painting of historic buildings, asset, the living collections, is restoration of the Morshead Fountain, proceeding. New gardens in 2007– 08 and development of a condition include: assessment report and maintenance • New ’garden wall’ at the Tropical program for all heritage buildings. Centre entrance. A metal frame Separate to this program was the supports a planting media of coco redevelopment of the Central Depot, chips and oversized perlite. A small resulting in the conservation and drip irrigation system supports a adaptive reuse of two former stables display of bromeliads and Oncidium buildings for staff amenities and orchids that will provide very offices, and the completion of the Photo: Bark of Eucalyptus pauciflora colourful displays for a number restoration of four heritage glasshouses. (Snow Gum or White Sally) — part of of years. This work was done in accordance the Candlebark–Apple Box–Robertson’s with the endorsed Conservation • The Solander Garden lawn adjacent Peppermint tall open forest community Management Plan for the Central Depot to the Anderson building was closed as defined in the Trust’s NSW Vegetation Redevelopment.
J aime PLAZA Classification and Assessment Project. due to a nearby branch fall from a
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 27 SIMONE PIETA COTTRELL SIMONE PIETA The Trust is compliant with the NSW were no problems with Red Thread Heritage Act by reviewing proposed (a fungal disease of cool-climate turf in maintenance and development wet, warm weather). programs on the Sydney estates with the current exemptions allowed by The development of the Australian the Heritage Office. When necessary, Woodlands continued with the planting of a mallee eucalypt display. Seed the Trust also completes heritage collected from the flowering Microleana impact statements and conservation stipoides lawn is being used to extend management plans. Heritage approvals the native turf lawns in the new display. are sought from the Cultural Heritage Eight interpretive signs in the Australian Division of DECC and the Heritage Woodlands and on the Bridge explain Office as required. Work on the Trust’s the threats to eucalypt woodland plant ‘Section 170 Register’ was initiated communities and how special these with the engagement of a consultant communities are. to undertake Stage 1 of a two-stage project. The first stage is identification The Friends-funded development of of all existing databases, inventories a tree management system for the and lists of the Trust’s heritage and Garden was completed by arboriculture conservation collections and a gap consultants Tree Logic who mapped analysis of the missing information to and assessed 300 eucalypts. The data compile the Register. Stage 2 allows will be uploaded into the Collection for the missing information to be Management System (EMu). collected and collated with the current As part of the development plan for the information to develop the Register by Formal Garden, one of the hedges of the statutory date of 30 June 2009. Callitris rhomboidea on the Lawn Terrace Other asset maintenance included: was removed. Relevant to the southern hemisphere theme for Mount Tomah, • The Domain lighting project with a trial commenced with a yew-like 184 light poles and fittings being evergreen Chilean conifer, Saxegothaea replaced and new lights installed at
J aime PLAZA conspicua. This species will demonstrate four pedestrian crossings. that cultivation of southern hemisphere • Assessment and GIS mapping at species can fill the role provided by the all 1,200 stormwater and irrigation more familiar traditional hedging plants service pits in the Domain and such as beech, box, privet and yew Royal Botanic Gardens to facilitate a which are used in European gardens. maintenance program. Road and path maintenance was • An asbestos audit report and accelerated with the entire front management plan, including staff entrance roadway resurfaced and some information workshops. of the aging surfaces in the Garden over-sealed. Other building and asset Photo top: Guests at the opening of the Mount Tomah In only the second year maintenance focussed on painting the renovated Morshead Fountain included since 1990 in which the annual rainfall Garden restaurant and repairing the Executive Director Dr Tim Entwisle, (now) exceeded the long term average of lightning-damaged telephone system. Premier The Hon. Nathan Rees MP, Brigadier 1,580 mm, trees just surviving during Building maintenance included the Isaksson, President of the 9th Division Council the drought put on a metre of growth. restoration of the Northern Pavilion. The and Patron of Australia-wide Rats of Tobruk boardwalk and viewing platform in the Association; Joe Madeley, OAM, State Lawns in high public use areas were Plant Explorers Garden was reopened to President, Rats of Tobruk Association; RSL renovated. The Wedding Tree Terrace the public after repairs. President, Don Rowe and other special guests. and BBQ lawn were heavily impacted by wet weather and the high number of Photo below: Development of the Australian Mount Annan Stage 2 refurbishment weddings. Low water-use turf installed Woodland at Mount Tomah Botanic Garden of the Terrace Garden within the new continued with the planting of mallee in the Residence Garden last winter Connections Garden improved garden eucalypts and extension of native turf lawns. performed well over the summer. There displays and provided 124 metres of
28 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 gentle path access for visitors walking associated telephony and camera linked through the ‘Plants through Time’ to the restaurant and administration thematic area. Visitors now have a building. The gate has proved very snapshot of Australian plants showing effective in controlling unauthorized adaptation to the drying continent, after-hours vehicle access. An important and wonderful vistas to the south over service road at Lakeside was also Lakeside and beyond. Around 455 repaired and upgraded to facilitate large tonnes of large rock and 890 tonnes truck access for major events. of crushed sandstone were placed in new garden beds. Around 850 plants Garden facilities were extended to have been planted in woodland, Sydney include Sydney Catchment Authority’s (SCA) Kenny Hill site. The built facilities
J aime PLAZA sandstone and arid display beds, with Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Proteaceae and on this site were surplus to SCA Poaceae most prominently represented. needs and will provide useful space for University of Sydney staff and The Grevillea Garden was completed students who will work on site with and launched in May. Displaying over Trust horticultural and research staff in 170 species of Grevillea, it represents a partnership to develop a Centre for the work of over 400 dry stone walling Plant Conservation and Research. students, staff and advisers from the Grevillea Study Group and the Dry Stone NSW Treasury provided funding to Walling Association of Australia. develop a business plan for a new entrance to the Garden from Narellan Asset maintenance focussed on visitor Road. The plan was completed and SCA access, natural areas, and infra-structure has expressed interest in contributing to especially related to water use. a new entrance and link to Cunningham Drive to support the maintenance of The Big Idea Garden’s display of cultivars their water supply to Prospect Reservoir for local use was expanded. New which supplies over four million people. interpretation signage to encourage sustainable approaches to gardening A partnership agreement was signed included working examples of how to with Ramm Botanicals to provide cultivar recycle, reuse and reduce water use, and material to the value of $5,000 for has proved very popular with tour groups. three years, to supplement and enhance garden displays. Gardening celebrity Potable water use was reduced by 63 per Angus Stewart will promote the botanic cent, compared to the average annual garden for the term of the agreement. water use of 71,228kL since 1995–96. Total water use (including unfiltered Discussions were held with Integral irrigation water) was reduced by 36 per Energy and a three-member cent to 33,313kL, significantly lower memorandum of understanding was than the annual target of 50,000kL. drafted with the Trust and Landcom. Sydney Water continued to work with Integral Energy provided separate the Garden to improve its two-star flora and fauna reports for the eastern rating. Installation of a fogging unit in boundary area where upgraded two propagation houses, funded by the powerlines from the new Transgrid Friends of The Gardens, contributed to substation (under construction) are minimizing water use and improving required to provide a direct link to Photo: Seed Technology Officer Leahwyn propagation survival rates. Campbelltown from September 2009. Seed has lots to smile about. Despite drought conditions in many parts of the State, the Infrastructure improvements included The annual target of 2.7 hectares of NSW Seedbank at Mount Annan Botanic two kilometres of asbestos mains primary control of African Olive (Olea Garden is maintaining its collecting target of replacement; GIS mapping of the work europea subsp cuspidata) within 1,500 collections by 2010, making a major as it was constructed; fogger installation Cumberland Plain Woodland was contribution to this insurance policy against in one propagation facility; and an met and corporate support is being species loss and climate change. electric security gate instalment with negotiated for the removal of all Olive
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 29 trees from the site. A major spraying program to control Chilean Needle Trust Environment Statement Grass (Nassella neesiana) commenced. Experimental broad-acre spraying of two Everything we do at the Botanic • Used environmentally sustainable hectares in the area to the south of the Gardens Trust has an impact on the design principles for all new Macarthur Centre for Sustainable Living environment. We want to leave as small buildings, depots and nurseries. was completed. The fauna management an environmental footprint as we can, Leading up to our Bicentenary in plan was reviewed and incorporated and to influence others to do the same. new feral animal control measures, 2016, we will: including firearms use. Approximately In the last six years we have: • Use 100% non-potable water for three kilograms of native grass seed • Halved potable water consumption irrigating the Domain and Royal (Chloris) from Windmill Grass, and in the Domain and Royal Botanic Botanic Gardens. This year consistent Native Love Grass (Eragrostis), were Gardens. progress was made towards used to direct-sow one hectare of a harvesting storm water for use on mechanically cleared African Olive site • Used 100% dam and rainwater at the Sydney estates. on the eastern ridge of the botanic Mount Tomah Botanic Garden. garden. n • Develop garden themes that promote • Used 90 to 100% of mulch and sustainable gardening practices; other organic matter from recycled use plant species which require low green waste at our three botanic maintenance and develop displays gardens. using recycled landscape materials • Recycled, every year, over 25 tonnes where practical. of general waste (e.g. bottles, cans, • Remove and control problem paper and cardboard). weeds from Mount Annan Botanic • Reduced electricity use by almost 40 Garden. This year an opportunity per cent and gas consumption by for removing all African Olive from over 80 per cent in the Herbarium Mount Annan by 2016 became building. available. • Significantly reduced our use of • Review Trust retail products toxic chemicals for pest control, and packaging to minimise our and continue to trial and use non- environmental footprint and to toxic alternatives such as biological promote environmental responsibility. controls. • Reinstate turf demonstration plots • Selected plant species that are less which will display and trial new susceptible to pests and diseases turf grass varieties that have less and do not require high pesticide dependence on water, chemicals and treatments. fertilisers. Completed in 2007. • Sourced garden materials from • Install rainwater tanks in the Domain sustainable sources — and not and Royal Botanic Gardens and used peat moss and arsenic-chrome Mount Annan Botanic Garden treated timber. and increase water recycling on all estates. One new tank was installed • Implemented a national botanic in the Sydney Gardens this year. gardens weed policy, including the assessment of all new plant • Set new challenging targets for all collections and potential weed energy use. The Trust will audit its species. energy use and investigate options for ‘green generators’.
30 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 2016 Botanic Bicentenary Bates. John Klem from the Catchment completed. The pesticide store was Management Authority presented a refurbished and restored, and the historic Project Milestones certificate to the Gandangarra Land stables buildings are being adaptively Towards 2016 we will: Council trainees who built much of the reused. Treasury support will be sought boardwalks and paths. for Stage 2 of the masterplan. Promote and extend the Sustainable Horticulture program as part of Build a World Heritage Centre at Revitalise the theme gardens and ‘Healthy Gardens, Healthy People’ Mount Tomah Botanic Garden, landscapes of the Royal Botanic by 2007 linked to existing collections and Gardens and Domain by 2010 Conservation Area, by 2008 All three estates set up sustainability The Main Ponds restoration program subcommittees and contributed to a Design of the World Heritage Centre was was completed. An additional course Trust sustainability plan. A pesticide completed by Eeles Trelease Architects of the sandstone wall was constructed use manual was reviewed to assure a and development approval was given and existing walls restored. Improved sustainable horticulture focus — using by Blue Mountains City Council. A pre- drainage and soil replacement has alternative management treatments for qualified list of contractors was invited to allowed for a Victorian era plant display pests and diseases, rather than select a tender for the construction. Mothers Art to be developed. The project cost chemical or non-organic option. Productions was selected to develop the approximately $150,000, mostly funded interpretative material for the Centre and through external donations. New garden The Department of Environment and thematic workshops were completed. displays are reported elsewhere, and a Climate Change established a The Centre is planned to open in 2009. new Thematic Plan is in preparation. sustainability working group to oversight the development of a sustainability Create an oral history for the Recover the Palm Grove through action plan that will align with the NSW organisation by 2008 responsible management of the State Plan and the Premier’s target of flying-fox camp by 2007 NSW Government being carbon neutral The oral history project continued, with A flying-fox management steering by 2020. more than 30 interviews now completed, capturing the memories of people committee was established to help Rainwater tanks and sub-surface irrigation involved with the Gardens in many relocate the up to 22,000 flying-foxes destroying heritage landscapes and were installed at Lion Gate Lodge to different ways over the years. The list of significant trees in the Royal Botanic sustain the cottage garden landscape and potential interviewees continues to grow. Gardens. Representatives from key educate visitors about water harvesting The project will provide material for the stakeholder groups provided advice and responsible water use. 2016 Bicentenary history in both book on the relocation program, including and DVD formats, as well as recording a Poultry manure, discovered by the Trust the timing of disturbance, methods of permanent archive of the Royal Botanic Plant Diagnostic Unit to be an antagonist tracking relocated animals, vegetation Gardens’ unwritten history. to the root-rot pathogen Phytophthora analysis and a communication strategy. cinnamomi, is being trialled at Mount Rebuild the Woolloomooloo seawall State and Federal government Tomah. Large quantities of this manure by 2009 approvals are required and the relevant have been worked into the soil in areas applications are near completion. where the pathogen has been found. A revised business case was completed Interpretive signage about the trial is and included in the Trust’s asset Short-term deterrent techniques being developed. management strategy. Repairs are have met with mixed success. The classified as urgent and essential, due to most effective technique, an air- Complete the Stolen Generations the poor condition of this heritage asset. powered plastic figure placed near Memorial at Mount Annan Botanic Treasury has supported the construction the most affected trees, resulted in an Garden by 2007 costs through an $850,000 capital immediate dispersal of the flying-foxes. Such non-destructive techniques are The Hon. Paul Lynch MP, Minister for allocation in 2008 – 09. allowable under the Trust’s Section Aboriginal Affairs, launched the Stolen Redevelop the Sydney Central Depot 120 licence issued by the Department Generations Memorial in October. Over and Nursery by 2010 of Environment and Climate Change. 150 guests were emotionally impacted If relocation is approved, palm species by the stories of the Stolen Generation Completing the $8 million State damaged by the flying-foxes will be conveyed by Indigeneous representatives government funded capital program, replaced, and wild-sourced replacement who included Carol Kendall’s daughters, heritage glasshouses were restored, and tree species will be part of the 2016 Uncle Vince’s (Wenberg), John Lennis new plant pathology building, storage plant collecting project. n and the memorial sculptor Badger sheds and materials storage bins were
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 31 32 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Botanic Gardens and Parklands
Our botanic gardens and Domain The Trust values its visitors and all those The arrival of the warship USS Kitty provide places of tranquility and who contribute towards its mission. We Hawk, other USA Navy ships and cruise will strive to make new connections ships QE2 and Queen Victoria also inspiration for all visitors. They are within the community, to be aware required whole-of-Government planning valued for their botanical displays of and responsive to its needs, and to to manage community interest. ensure that our facilities and programs Additional visitor facilities were made and open space and as venues are accessible to all. available in the Domain and the Trust for public recreation and private negotiated visitor access requirements events. Our role is to enhance and traffic management with the RTA. Program Highlights the experiences of all visitors Community events in the Domain • Domain hosts tens of thousands who included the Legs Eleven concert in the by providing the best possible come to see USS Kitty Hawk, QE2 Domain, the Walk Against Global and Queen Victoria ships. services. Warming rally, Harbourlife dance party at • Increase by 33 per cent of community Fleet Steps, Homebake music festival, and government sponsored events in Carols in the Domain, Sol Y Luna, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain. Tropfest, and Opera in the Domain. All the • Mount Tomah Waratah World Sydney Festival events were well site Heritage Education Centre opened managed and raised revenue for the Trust. in June. • Wild about Waratahs and Autumn New Years Eve in the Domain and Royal Harvest Food & Wine Fair attract Botanic Gardens, the only major event around 5,000 visitors. the Trust runs itself, was relatively incident free. Visitor access to Mrs Macquaries • Annual event calendar at Mount Point was reduced from 25,000 to 20,000 Annan draws around 15,000 visitors for safety reasons. This had a proportional — a record year. effect on food and beverage sales but • Fathers Day at Mount Annan sees a safety related incidents were less than in 42 per cent increase in visitors and previous events. 25 per cent increase in gate revenue. • Landcom sponsored Carols at Mount Event revenue was generally higher than Annan attract the largest crowd yet in previous years, as was parking and of around 6,500 — an increase of indoor and weddings venue revenue. over 15 per cent. The additional revenue did not result in • Bowden Centre at Mount Annan higher than average use at the major receives the 2008 Sulman Award for event sites. Public Architecture. Mount Tomah Well established events • Grevillea Garden at Mount Annan, such as Wild about Waratahs and displaying over 170 species of Autumn Harvest Food and Wine Fair Grevillea within a rustic landscape of attracted around 5,000 people. Touring dry stone walling, is completed. exhibitions included Greening the Silver City: seeds of bush regeneration, a Events, exhibitions and event venues Powerhouse Museum exhibition managed in a sustainable and examining the first bush regeneration profitable way project in Australia at Broken Hill, and 25 Years of World Heritage in Australia, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain a photographic exhibition created by the The Trust worked with other State and Commonwealth Department of Commonwealth agencies to prepare for Environment, Water, Heritage and the the Asia Pacific Economic Conference Photo: Bark of Eucalyptus pauciflora Arts. (Snow Gum or White Sally) — part of (APEC) held in Sydney in September. the Candlebark–Apple Box–Robertson’s The major impact on the Trust was the In conjunction with Mount Annan Peppermint tall open forest community partial closure of the Royal Botanic Botanic Garden and the Jenolan Caves as defined in the Trust’s NSW Vegetation Gardens and reduced business activity Trust, Mount Tomah Botanic Garden was
SIMONE PIETA COTTRELL SIMONE PIETA Classification and Assessment Project. for the duration. represented at the Australian Tourism
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 33 J aime PLAZA
Exchange in Perth. Appointments were last year. Rainfall for the year was 2,500 A draft business plan for a new entrance held with approximately 100 mm, the wettest year since 1990 – 01. from Narellan Road was completed international buyers to increase Targeted events attracted local visitors in June and submitted to Treasury. international visitation to Trust estates. and helped to maintain relatively high If successful in its bid for Treasury visitor levels, even though the numbers funding in 2008–09, it will meet five Mount Annan The event calendar of day visitors to the region has fallen by of the eleven key objectives listed in at Mount Annan drew around 15,000 nearly 50 per cent since 2000. the Master Plan 2000 and confirmed visitors — a record year. Fathers Day saw in the Master Plan Review 2006. It also a 42 per cent increase in visitors and a Venue hire for weddings increased by aligns with State Plan Priorities R4 and 25 per cent increase in gate revenue. 100 per cent. Improvements to the E8 and is one of the nominated Trust’s The annual Carols event in December, service included the production of a 2016 Bicentenary projects, which aim sponsored by Landcom, attracted the wedding brochure focussing on facilities to provide infrastructure to support the largest crowd yet of around 6,500 — and products available at the Garden. next 200 years of development of an increase of over 15 per cent. Other The enquiry process was also simplified all estates. events included Valentines Day (10 per and web bookings facilitated. cent increase over the previous year); The Bowden Centre (opened May 2007) Tours were given to over 9,500 visitors Campbelltown Challenge Walk (2,167 has enhanced education programs — an eight per cent increase over competitors and 500 spectators); through provision of a first-class training last year. Groups included Ku-ring-gai Garden Plant Sale in March (10 per cent facility for group and family functions, Council Pensioners, Dee Why Legacy, increase in the number of stalls); and workshops and seminars. Over 1,600 Polish Carers Support Group and Harvest Food and Wine Fair (42 per cent people used the building in 70 bookings Orange Men’s Probus Club. increase in the number of stalls, but during the year. The Centre won the award for Best Small Commercial visitor numbers slightly down). The Quest program, attracting over Building at the inaugural BPN/ 2,500 participants, was developed The outdoor photographic exhibition, Environ Sustainability Awards night in to inform children and adults about Hard Rain, was met with great interest. November. This award was followed by important environmental issues. Artistic Although controversial in some respects two National Timber awards later that models of native bees were developed with confronting, graphic photography, month: for Environment Commitment to inspire participants about unique general commentary proved very (highly commended); and Best Use of insect fauna of Australia. Webs and positive and visitor numbers increased Plywood and LVL (highly commended). Wings focussed on the unique insect by more than 40 per cent on the The Centre was also nominated in and birdlife of the Blue Mountains, and previous year. March for two categories of the Royal Larger than Life provided a magnified Australian Institute of Architecture Quality visitor facilities, services and look at microscopic features of plants awards (NSW and Australia), for programs provided and animals. excellence in Public Architecture and Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Mount Annan Visitors numbers Environmental Design. To top off There were about 3.6 million visitors surpassed the target of 100,000 this string of plaudits, Kennedy and Associates won the 2008 Sulman Prize to the Royal Botanic Gardens, and an (102,000), mainly due to ‘after hours’ for Public Architecture and the 2008 estimated further four million to the visitation which augmented ‘opening Prize for Sustainable Architecture. Domain. Events and public programs on hours’ visitor numbers of around the Sydney sites are reported elsewhere. 77,000. Free entry to walkers every The Stolen Generations Memorial, In the Botanic Gardens restaurant, the Friday morning was offered from completed in September, provides floor was removed, a new membrane January for a trial period. The offer has visitors with a place for reflection, installed and new tiles were laid. The been extended to December 2008 due with easy access along crushed granite restaurant lessee funded the installation to a 35 per cent increase in pedestrian paths and boardwalks. The centrepiece of a new kitchen. visitors. sculpture of a man, woman, child and baby is complemented by bench seats A Camden Council open-air theatre Two major heavy vehicular traffic paths and flowing water. were rebuilt in the Phillip Precinct of event was held for the first time in the Domain. These paths service the May and the Council has committed to The Garden’s Wollemi Walk of temporary stages and public facilities continue sponsorship of the event in Discovery tour, a behind-the-scenes installed for major events. the Garden next year. Venue bookings technical tour of Annan’s Seed Bank grew to 144, exceeding the target by and an Australiana tour involving Mount Tomah About 70,000 visitors 11 per cent and 28 per cent more than the Garden and the Department of came to Mount Tomah, down 2,000 on last year. Primary Industry’s Belgenny Farm,
34 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 J aime PLAZA
were promoted at the 2008 Australian Architect’s Office has been engaged to Planned Bicentenary Tourism Exhibition in Perth. The latter develop concept designs. partnership of State government Milestone Projects agencies will offer a historic, colonial Fund and build an activity area for • Establish appropriate jogging and outback experience, coupled with native young people at Mount Annan cycling routes through the Sydney flora, fauna and cultural interaction. This Botanic Garden by 2010 estate by 2009 initiative aligns with Trust, Departmental A project team was established and a • Enhance Mount Tomah Botanic and State Plan goals of increasing visitor brief prepared to develop a concept Garden as a garden for children by numbers, targeting in-bound tourists. design and sponsorship proposal. 2010 A Recreation Plan for the Garden was Funding for this first stage was provided • Raise the profile and improve finalized, following consultation with by a bequest from Josephine Swane. facilities offered by the Sydney interest groups and stakeholders. The A consultant was engaged to develop Tropical Centre by 2010 plan clarifies passive and non-passive an unusual, low maintenance design, recreational areas within the Garden in harmony with Mount Annan’s • Play a lead role in the development and confirms the Trust’s priorities surrounds. Survey work and consultation and implementation of the Healthy and objectives. with local schools and stakeholders was Parks, Healthy People program within n completed. DECC by 2010
2016 Botanic Bicentenary Revitalise the Domain Car Park and Project Milestones review all parking arrangements to improve access to Sydney Towards 2016 we will: estates and contribute to city-wide Define garden landscapes and transport plans by 2009 provide new ways to access, explain Following the completion of expressions and promote the botanical and of interest, four consortia were invited horticultural elements of the Royal to submit detailed tenders for the car Botanic Gardens by 2008 park lease. The Trust negotiated with the Ministry for Transport regarding The Domain interpretation plan was completed. This strategy provides short- proposed bus layovers in the car park and medium-term strategies to help forecourt. As the old lease agreement Trust staff fulfil the interpretive aims for with the City of Sydney came to an the Domain and is in keeping with the end, a number of outstanding building guiding principles provided in the Trust’s repairs and the removal of underground Interpretation Signage Policies. fuel tanks were negotiated for completion prior to the commencement The cultural collections management of the new lease in May 2008. policy was endorsed by the Trust. This document provides policies and guidelines Challenger Diversified Property Group for the systematic development, was awarded a new 25-year lease of management and maintenance of the the Domain Car Park with Interpark Trust’s cultural collections at its botanic contracted to operate the facility. gardens, the Domain and the National Challenger is now preparing design Herbarium of NSW. and documentation to support a development application to the City of Fund and build a Children’s Garden Sydney for short-term enhancements in the Royal Botanic Gardens by that will improve access and amenity. 2009 Greater enhancements will be Woolcott Research consultants considered in several years time. City of conducted off-line and on-line surveys Sydney negotiations regarding make- regarding the Children’s Garden concept. good costs and long-term access to Feedback helped inform concept plans the City’s section of the underground for the Garden. Several locations are moving footway tunnel were concluded. Photo: Stolen Generations Memorial Walk, under consideration and the Government Mount Annan Botanic Garden.
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 35 36 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Community Support
Volunteers make a significant Volunteer guides provided visitors Friends’ events and articles of interest, contribution to the Botanic with general orientation and on-site as well as details of tours and benefits interpretation and led guided walks available to members. A monthly Garden Trust. The time and effort at all three Gardens. Fifteen volunteer E-News provided late-breaking news they contribute and the passion guides attended the Australasian about Trust and Friends events, as well Volunteer Guides in Botanic Gardens as special offers. they have for their work and the Conference in Adelaide. Gardens makes our organisation The Constitution of the Friends was Twenty bush regeneration volunteers updated, including the term a President a more dynamic place, both for helped with bush regeneration tasks can serve — which was extended the staff and for our visitors. in the remnant natural bushland areas from a maximum of three years to six Volunteers are a fundamental at Mount Annan Botanic Garden. years. The legal name of the Friends Efforts concentrated on African Olive was changed from Friends of the Royal link to the ‘real world’ and the eradication, assisting contractors Botanic Gardens Sydney Inc. to Friends community we serve. There are employed with financial support from of the Botanic Gardens Inc. The informal the Friends. Fifty-four Herbarium trading name remains Friends of The approximately 300 volunteers in volunteers, who underwent retraining Gardens with the addition of a strap all operational areas (including 73 in conservation techniques, mounted line: ‘Sydney – Domain – Mount Annan Growing Friends) and another 300 15,000 herbarium specimens onto – Mount Tomah – National Herbarium archival paper. An additional 22 of NSW’. volunteers provide support to our volunteers helped with special projects, Friends’ organisation. book covering and re-shelving in This year the Friends raised over the Library. $730,000. After expenses, the net surplus was a little over $280,000, a Twenty-eight new volunteers were small increase from last year. In addition, trained to monitor wildlife in the the Friends’ Trust Fund income was Gardens. They did fly-out counts of nearly $260,000, with $253,000 coming flying-foxes in the early evenings to from donations. guide the Trust in managing the large bat population that is irreparably The Friends (including the Friends’ Trust damaging the living collection. About Fund) made the following donations to 22,000 bats were estimated to be the Trust: roosting in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Annual horticulture February. scholarship 2005 $4,626
The annual ‘thank-you’ afternoon Annual staff scholarship tea for Trust volunteers was held at 2006 $17,000 the Australian Museum in November. Robin Davies received a special mention Margaret Flockton Award as she received a Premier’s Award, a 2008 $7,000 NSW Government Heritage Award for Contribution to fixed costs $45,000 her outstanding work in conservation of natural heritage in the Macarthur Donation to three nurseries $4,000 region. Flora Deverall was recognised for 25 years service as an outstanding Library $2,000 volunteer guide and her contribution Library — compactus to the Friends’ organisation. Another replacement $80,000 fifteen volunteers were acknowledged for completing 10, 15 and 20 years of Library — microfiche service to the Trust or Friends. reader $12,594
Photo: Bark of Angophora leiocarpa Friends of The Gardens Sydney tree survey and (Northern Smooth Barked Apple or Dirty assessment $13,200 Gum) — part of the cypress pine shrubby The Friends continued to provide financial and practical support to woodland community as defined in the Seedbank — Mount Annan $1,000 Trust’s NSW Vegetation Classification and the Trust. The Gardens, a quarterly
J aime PLAZA Assessment Project. magazine, provided information about
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 37 Royal Botanic Gardens Signage — Domain and heritage trees $93,800 Royal Botanic Gardens $20,000
African Olive control, DNA free laboratory Mount Annan $25,000 in the Herbarium $8,000
Signage — Domain and Central Precinct wayfinding Royal Botanic Gardens $80,000 signage — Mount Annan $15,000
Website development — Children’s Garden, Royal Botanic Trees in the Gardens $35,000 Gardens Foundation $11,000 J aime PLAZA Science student internships $14,000 Bicentenary plant diversity program — 2016 project $125,000 Tree management — Mount Tomah $18,750 Connections Garden — Mount Annan $100,000 Conservation area signage — Mount Tomah $8,862 Total $434,000
Fogger for nursery — Donations of books and magazines Mount Annan $13,957 were made to Community Greening, following the Friends’ second-hand Wildlife interpretation and book sale. ‘Growing Friends’ propagated maps — Mount Annan $6,000 a range of plants for donation to Community Greening, Community Trust staff attendance at Education, and the three botanic BGANZ meeting $4,923 gardens (est. value $2,000); Annan and Sundry $5,814 Tomah Shops were donated over 400 plants for sale (est. value $2,500). Total $492,526 Friends Volunteers Total committed to projects in progress The Friends has over 300 active J aime PLAZA at 30 June 2008 volunteers who gave over 21,000 $86,250 hours of their time, enabling the Friends to undertake a wide variety of At 30 June 2008 the Friends committed activities throughout the year. Many new funding for the following: volunteers serve on committees which oversee the many interests of the Horticultural, staff and science Friends and many more coordinate scholarships 2008 $30,000 and work at the various events. One group of volunteers plans and presents Margaret Flockton Award activities at the three Gardens; another 2009 $10,000 assists Trust staff to hand-water the valuable plant collections during water Contribution to direct costs $45,000 restrictions. ‘Botanica’ and ‘Artisans’, Student internships 2009 $14,000 two exhibitions held by the Friends, are organised and run by Friends’ Tree management plan — volunteers, as is the annual second- Photo top: The Royal Botanic Gardens Mount Tomah $10,000 hand book sale. Volunteers represent provides an inspirational setting for art the Friends at outside events and classes run by the Trust. This year around Contribution to nurseries $6,000 140 aspiring artists and plant enthusiasts also support Trust events. They also promote took part in a range of botanical illustration Solar pump for Twin Ponds — membership of the Friends and give workshops. Royal Botanic Gardens $20,000 presentations to other organisations. A volunteer subcommittee plans local Photo below: Margaret Flockton Award Signage for Connections and overseas tours and office staff are exhibition, Red Box Gallery. Garden — Mount Annan $20,000 assisted by volunteers on a regular basis.
38 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 The ‘Growing Friends’ groups at all Bannon, Mrs Jan Beardmore, Mr Libby Horrobin, Mrs Joan Humphreys, three Gardens continued their work Russell Beardmore, Mr Rolf Beck, Mrs Mrs Suzanne Isherwood, Ms Alexandra propagating and selling plants. Sales Jenifer Best, Mr Victor Betteridge, Mr Jackson, Mrs Tim Jackson, Mrs Jeanie were held at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Ian Booth, Mrs Prunella Booth, Mrs Jagelman, Mrs Nicky Joffe, Mrs Jillian Mount Annan Botanic Garden and at Julie Boreham, Mr Noel Boreham, Mrs Johnson, Mrs Winsome Johnstone, the Collectors Plant Fair at Bilpin. In Heather Branch, Miss Sunday Brent, Mrs Beverley Kable, Mrs Helen Keene, spite of continuing drought conditions Mrs Anni Bretnall, Mrs Helen Brockhoff, Mrs Rosemary Kenney-Herbert, Ms in many parts of NSW, together with Ms Wendy Brodhurst, Mr Kevin Brown, Charlotte Kerr, Mrs Mary Kersey, Mrs disruption to propagation due to the Mr Chris Browne, Mr Rodney Browne, Susan Khouri, Ms Annie Kiefer, Mrs redevelopment of the Central Depot at Ms Rebecca Browning, Mr Jean-Louis Gabrielle King, Mrs Lynne King, Dr the Royal Botanic Gardens, substantial Buhagiar, Mrs Mary Sue Burgess, Ms Diana Kingston, Mrs Suzanne Knowles, revenue was generated. At the Royal Lynne Cairncross, Mrs Libby Cameron, Mr Mel Kovacs, Mr Greg Lamont, Mrs Botanic Gardens, once-per-month plant Ms Marianne Cannon, Mr Robert Barbara Lane, Ms Sybil Laws, Mrs Gayl sales were trialled and found to be well Carruthers, Dr Barry Catchlove, Mrs Lois Leake, Mrs Robin Leonard, Mrs Barbara supported. Catchlove, Miss Tricia Cavenagh, Mrs Lewis, Mrs Lorraine Long, Mrs Joy Margaret Chambers, Mrs Margot Child, Longfield OAM, Mrs Dulcie Lovibond, The Friends’ ‘speakers bureau’ Mrs Dawne Clark, Mrs Diana Coates, Mrs Robyn Macintosh, Mrs Judith supplemented staff presentations Miss Lucinda Coates, Ms Leora Cohen, MacIntyre, Mrs Christa Magee, Mrs about the Trust to a wide variety Mrs Susan Cohen, Mrs Kath Collins, Mrs Margaret Mahony, Mr Anthony Martin, of groups, including Probus clubs, Gillian Cook, Ms Annie Cooney, Mrs Miss Rae Mashford, Ms Deryl Mason, garden clubs, Rotary groups and other Eleanor Cornish, Ms Wendy Cottee, Mrs Mrs Robyn Matthews, Mrs Elizabeth community organisations. Information Susan Cowan, Mr Barry Cresswell, Mr McCabe, Ms Ann McCauley, Mrs Jenifer booth volunteers welcomed visitors Brian Darlington, Mrs Therese Darmo, McDermott, Mr John McDermott, at the Woolloomooloo Gate at the Mrs Heather Davidson, Mrs Catherine Mrs Debbie McDonald, Mrs Janette Royal Botanic Gardens six days a Davies, Mr Michael Davies, Mrs Bev McDonald, Dr Stan McDonald, Ms week. Catering volunteers provided Davis, Mrs Carolyn Davis, Mrs Elizabeth Jocelyn McGirr, Mrs Ann McIntyre, Mrs refreshments for Friends’ activities at Davis OAM, Mr Raoul de Ferranti, Ms Robin McIntyre, Mrs Judith McKernan, Royal, Mount Annan and Mount Tomah Susanne de Ferranti, Mr Des Dent, Mrs Ms Sue McLay, Mrs Janet McMahon, Gardens. They also catered for the Elizabeth Dent, Mrs Flora Deverall, Mr Mrs Lee McMahon, Mrs Elizabeth opening night parties for ‘Artisans’ and Reg Dibley, Mrs Margaret Duffield, Miss McNaughton, Ms Maggie McQuaid, ‘Botanica’ and provided morning and Pat Duncan, Mrs Christine Dunstan, Mrs Mrs Susan Meares, Mrs Jann Meikle, afternoon teas during the exhibitions. Chris Elliott, Mr Bruce Fergus, Mrs Beryl Mr John Meikle, Mrs Beth Michie, Mr The Mount Tomah and Mount Annan Ferguson, Mrs Annie Fergusson, Mrs Robert Michie, Mr John Middleton, Mrs subcommittees provided catering for a Janet Fish, Mrs Suzanne Fitzhardinge, Rosemary Millar, Mrs Margaret Mills, number of Garden’s related events. Mrs Margaret Fitzpatrick, Mrs Deirdre Mr Patrick Mills, Mrs Judith Mitchell, Fleeting, Ms Maureen Foord, Mrs Mrs Judy Moore, Mrs Manja Morey, Mrs Trust Volunteers Barbara Forward, Mrs Lesley Foster, Elizabeth Morgan, Mrs Jan Morgan, Mr Contributions by Trust volunteers Mrs Ruth Foster, Mrs Ruth Fowler, Ms Sean Mullen, Mrs Carole Nearn, Mrs — such as mounting of preserved Elizabeth Garbacz, Mrs Diana Garder, Anne Neild, Ms Susan North Ash, Mrs specimens in the National Herbarium of Mr Wayne Gardner, Mrs Julia Gardoll, Barbara Norton, Mr John O’Neill, Ms New South Wales, guided walks, bush Mrs Eileen Gemmell-Smith, Mrs Heather Juvenalia Ormonde, Mrs Esme Parker, regeneration and Begonia Garden care Goodwin, Ms Janet Gormly, Mrs Polly Mrs Mary Parkinson, Mr Mark Paul, Mrs — are documented in the main body of Gow, Mrs Carolyn Green, Mrs Carol Susan Paxton, Mrs Joy Pearson, Mrs the annual report. Griesser, Mrs Dallas Griffin, Ms Leanne Rosemarie Pettit, Mrs Elisabeth Pidd, Grimstone, Mrs Anne Grose, Mr Michael Mrs Sandy Pratten, Mrs Jill Prior, Mrs Thank You Guffond, Ms Robin Guthrie, Mr Alex Liz Purchas, Mrs Elizabeth Rabbitts, Mrs We thank all the following volunteers Halliday, Mrs Jo Hambrett, Mr John Ann Rasmussen, Mr Jorgen Rasmussen, for their help and support in 2007–08. Hancock, Mrs Margaret Hanks, Mr Philip Mrs Peta Rattray, Mr Geoffrey Richards, Hannaford, Mrs Sandra Hannaford, Ms Mrs Suzanne Richards, Mrs Gillian Friends Ms Christine Allen, Ms Judith Lynne Harlow, Mr Peter Harrigan, Mrs Richmond, Dr Alexander Robertson, Mrs Anderson, Mr Graeme Andrews, Mrs Joanna Harrop, Ms Anne Hawker, Mrs Dorothy Robertson, Mr Bruce Robertson Roslyn Andrews, Ms Judith Antill, Patricia Hay, Mrs Helen Hemphill, Mrs OAM, Mrs Beverley Roden, Ms Shelley Mrs Anne Arnott, Mrs Rae Assender, Eleanor Herriott, Ms Kim Hines, Mr Roden-Smith, Mrs Jane Rodgers, Mrs Mrs Wendy Atmore, Dr Peter Ayres, John Hinson, Mrs Isobel Holthouse, Mrs Helen Rogers, Mr Douglas Roser, Mrs Mrs Marilyn Baggio, Mrs Victoria Lesley Hook, Mrs Judy Hornsby , Mrs Karen Roser, Mrs Enid Ross, Mrs Diana
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 39 J aime PLAZA
Rouhan, Mrs Joyce Roy, Professor Paul Jones, Marion Lean, Graeme Lees, The Foundation is a charitable Trust Roy, Mrs Carmen Sablatnig, Mrs Elva Gabrielle Loneragan, Ann Martin, John endorsed as a deductible gift recipient Salter, Mrs Dagmar Schmidmaier, Mrs Mathews, Jeannette Manyweathers, under the Income Tax Assessment Act Joan Scott, Mrs Rosemary Sewell, Mrs Toni McDowell, Lyn McGrath, Judith 1997. It has an authority to fundraise Doris Shearman, Mr Graham Shields, Maynard, Lynda Newnam, Jim Nicol, from the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming Mrs Patricia Shields, Mrs Ute Short, Mrs Susan North Ash, Bob O’Brien, Erol and Racing and has GST Concession and Bettine Silver, Ms Ecila Simpson, Mrs Omar, John Page, Jill Paterson, Jenny Income Tax Exemption status. Lesley Simpson, Ms Jenalyn Slade, Mrs Pattison, Dianne Peters, Roger Pittaway, The Foundation is governed by its board Judith Sleijpen, Mr Colin Snodgrass, Mrs Marian Plaude, Rowan Poten (until of Councillors: Mr Clive Austin (Chair) Janet Snodgrass, Mrs Prue Socha, Mrs Dec 07) Sandy Pratten, Wendy Pratten, Mavis Sourry, Mr Bruce Spence, Mrs Mr Ian Conley, Dr Tim Entwisle, Ms Helen Rann, Rosemary Roberts, Yvonne Sue Gazal, Mr Ron Griffin, Ms Lesley Patricia Spring, Mr Hugh Springford, Ms Roberts, Sally Rutherford, Ginny Kernaghan, Mr Don Morris AO, Ms Robyn Stafford, Mrs Susan Stapleton, Sadubin, Brian Sewell, Margaret Ann Gretel Packer, Mr John Taberner and Mrs Mrs Margaret Stewart, Ms Diana Storer, Smith, Mavis Sourry, Morris Stocker, Caroline Webster. During the year, Mr Mrs Lindy Stuart, Ms Eleanor Sydney- Carol Style, Kate Symons, Mary Threlfall, Greg Martin became President (formerly Jones, Mrs Elfriede Taylor, Dr Hugh Taylor, Hilary Vallance, Berenice Walker, Fay Chair) and Mr Jamie Durie became an Ms Marion Taylor, Mrs Ailsa Thompson, Warren, Helen Williams, Ambassador (formerly a Councillor). Mrs Jennifer Thompson, Mrs Frieda Thornhill, Mr Peter Thornhill, Ms Stefani Begonia Collection: Royal Botanic The Foundation seeks benefaction Thornthwaite, Mrs Mary Threlfall, Mrs Gardens Gordon Chivers, Peter Sharp, through individual donations, gifts from Judith Tiley, Ms Jane Treloar, Mr John Lee Sanders, Wendy Atmore, Margaret grant giving foundations and corporate Tunbridge, Sir Ian Turbott, Mrs Margaret Chedra, Bruce Fergus. philanthropy for specific projects and Turner, Dr Peter Valder, Mrs Anne van other enhancements to the work of Guides: Mount Annan Peter Andrews, Roekel, Ms Lynn Vlismas, Ms Joan Walsh, the Trust. Our sincere thanks go to the Denis Astill, Margaret Beales, Jim Colvin, Ms Robyn Ward, Mr Antony Waterworth, following benefactors for their support Robin Davies, Phyllis Jupe, Margaret Mrs Angela Webb, Mrs Caroline Webster, for specific projects during the year: Shanks, John Shanks Mrs Sally Wheatley, Mrs Margaret Youth Community Greening, an Wheeler, Ms Roslyn Wheeler, Ms Sue Guides: Mount Tomah Tina Boyd, environmental education program for Whitham, Mrs Jennifer Whittam, Mrs Annette Bryant, Dawne Dunlop, disadvantaged youth — $176,000 per Jann Wiener, Mrs Elizabeth Wilkes, Mrs Christine Hennessy, Isabel Johnston, year for four years from Vincent Fairfax Jill Wilkins, Mrs Jennifer Wilson, Mr Neil Philip Merriman, Airdrie Martin, Leif Family Foundation, Mrs Roslyn Packer Wilson, Mrs Karen Wilson AM, Mrs Jean Rosengaard, Ailsa Thompson, Tony Tree, AO, and a private benefactor. Winton, Mrs Margaret Young, Ms Susan Shirlee Tree, Jackie Wall, Heather Weir, Young. Carol Whyte, Kathleen Oakes Rainforest Seed Conservation Program, a scientific research program Trust Volunteers Bush Regeneration: Mount Annan to save and conserve rainforest plants, Guides: Royal Botanic Gardens Richard Austin, Melissa Brattoni, Joel part of our threatened biodiversity — Adrienne Alexander, Elizabeth Daniels, Robin Davies, Ron Davies, Alicia $120,000 per year for three years from Anderson, Maria Arimon, Phillip Draper, David Eden, Lesley Hook, Leonie Allianz Australia, and Mr Tony Maxwell Armstrong, Mike Barrett, Carole Beales Kelly, Bronwyn Kery, Sean Martin, Barry and Ms Robyn Godlee. on leave), Janet Bennett, Rosemary Penprase, Hannah Shuttleworth, Eileen Purchase and initial works for Blakeney, Heather Branch, Caroline Bray, Shuttleworth, Alex Stengl, Duncan property adjacent Mount Tomah Lisle Brown Joan Bryant, Joy Cambage, Stewart, Kris Stolzenhein, Rodney Ward, Botanic Garden, including important David Chandler, Lesley Clarke, Julie Doreen Ward conservation forest known as The Jungle Collins, Allan Correy, Lynne Cusack, Eric — $1,350,000 made possible by gifts Darley, Gillian Davies, Elizabeth Davis Financial Support from Mr John B. Fairfax and Family and OAM, Sharon De Souza, Flora Deverall, the Environmental Trust of NSW. Gillian Dodd, Barbara Dunne, Noel Royal Botanic Gardens Foundation Elliot, Helen Ephraums, Beryl Ferguson, The Royal Botanic Gardens Foundation Restoration of heritage statuary Jan Gibson, Rosemary Gleeson, Helen supports the Trust in conserving the in the Royal Botanic Gardens funded Gray, Thelma Griffiths, Susanne Giuffre, world’s plants for a sustainable future through gifts from Ms Jennifer Crivelli, Jill Hankinson, Anne Heasman, Helen through raising funds for botanical Ms Julie Drew, Mr John Gale, Mr Hemphill, Jean Hobbs, Dorothy Holland, research, conservation, education Michael Grace, Mr Clive Austin and Mr Daphne Howie, Glenn Johnson, Johanna and display. Ian Conley.
40 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 J aime PLAZA
Tropical Centre living ‘garden wall’, Corporate Sponsorships Supporters DNA equipment and classroom The Trust continued to develop Australian Flora Foundation equipment — further generous support corporate partnerships through Australian Garden History Society from Geoffrey and Rachel O’Conor. sponsorship of its programs in best Australian Research Council Australian Systematic Botany Society The Fellowship Program is the practice horticulture, education and (Hansjörg Eichler Research Fund) Foundation’s way to acknowledge and conservation. Dino Belfanti thank all benefactors and supporters in a Towards Sustainable Horticulture, a Anna Buduls structured way. The Foundation also program sponsored by HSBC, enabled Elaine Bull receives uncommitted donations through important water saving initiatives in the Fellowship Program. The Foundation Mark Burrows the Royal Botanic Gardens and further recognised new donors at all levels this Eden Gardens & Garden Centre developed the What’s the Big Idea financial year. The levels are: Robert and Dorothy Forster Garden at Mount Annan Botanic Garden. Interlink – M5 South West Motorway Charles Darwin Fellow Andrew James New partnerships established with $500,000 or more Isa Jones Freehills and Bloomberg provided Petra Kanard Sir Joseph Banks Fellow important funding for conservation and Annie Kitamura $100,000 – $500,000 education programs, including the new Jackie Kitamura Joseph Maiden Fellow Education Centre at Mount Tomah. Eve Mitcherson $25,000 – $100,000 The Trust also partnered with Neutrog NSW Montessori Association Allan Cunningham Fellow Fertilisers, to support the organisation’s Reg Mowat $5,000 – $25,000 commitment to the use of organic and Oasis Horticulture Foundation Supporters organic-based fertilisers. June Painter gifts to $5,000 Proteaflora Australia Existing partnerships with Landcom, M5 Janene Rox Two events were hosted by the South West Motorway and Pernod Ricard Red Bull Australia Foundation and the Executive Director, Australia have continued to make an Eleanor Sydney-Jones primarily to build new relationships. In important contribution to the Trust’s work. Sydney CBD Rotary Club August, ABC Science Show celebrity The Australia and Pacific Science Robyn Williams spoke on The Botanic The Trust would like to thank all Foundation Ark — how climate change brings an Foundation benefactors, sponsors and Beverly White urgency to the role of Botanic Gardens supporters listed below. at the Trust’s Herbarium. Guests at a Mary Whitton Major Supporters function in the HSBC Oriental Garden Australian Biological Resources Study Foundation Donors were entertained by Dr Peter Valder, Australia’s Virtual Herbarium Trust Charles Darwin Fellows who spoke on The Influence of Oriental Bloomberg John B. Fairfax AM Plants on our Lives. Citigroup Sir Joseph Banks Fellows Friends of The Gardens Benefactors and supporters also Allianz Australia Ltd Freehills met Trust scientists, horticulturists James O. Fairfax AO and educators at various occasions. Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation Volunteer guide Flora Deverell led a Management Authority Tony Maxwell & Robyn Godlee group on tour of the Domain; Dr Darren Hermon Slade Foundation Ian & Helen McLachlan Crayn made a presentation on molecular HSBC Bank Australia Limited Geoffrey & Rachel O’Conor research at the Botanic Gardens Trust; Landcom Gretel L. Packer Dr Barry Conn spoke about his research Matrix Plus Consulting Roslyn Packer AO work on identifying and mapping trees Natural Heritage Trust of Papua New Guinea. National Action Plan on Salinity Joseph Maiden Fellows Housing NSW Lee-Anne Reid NSW Environmental Trust Playoust Family Foundation Pernod Ricard Pacific Modified Accessible Taxis Joint Venture Photo: Thousands flock each year to Mrs Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Allan Cunningham Fellows Macquaries Point in the Domain to take in Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Sydney’s iconic view of the Opera House Management Authority Patricia & Clive Austin and Harbour Bridge across Farm Cove. Greg & Myra Bell
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 41 Judith Beswick Ruth Sampson, Miss Alison Stephen, Arnold, Mr Ian Fraser, Mr Andrew & Roxanne Clayton Ms Eleanor Sydney-Jones, Mr Robert & Mrs Narelle Gatenby, Mr Allan Gilden, Ian Conley Mrs Caro Webster. Miss Beryl Raymer, Dr Mr Paul Gray & Mr Andrew Moate, Mrs Antony Coote AM Peter Valder. Dallas & Mr Brian Griffin, Mr Jim & Mrs Jennifer Crivelli Ruth Hallmark, Mrs Hope Hanks, Mr Silver Waratahs Ms Gillian Appleton, Elizabeth Davis OAM Owen Haviland & Ms Susan Hope, Ms Mrs Geraldine & Mr Christopher Arnott, Julie Drew & Michael Grace AM Anne Hawker, Ms Janita & Mr Philip Mr Ike & Mrs Louise Bain, Ms Shane Tim Entwisle Hercus, Mrs Pamela Hindes, Mr John & Bedford & Ms Linda Hunt, Mr Warren & John Gale Mrs Mary Holt, Mrs Sheila & Mr Philip Mrs Nancy Boyd, Dr Barbara Briggs, Mrs Jane & Peter Garling Jacobson, Mrs Christina Kennedy, Mrs Elizabeth Davis OAM, Mrs Catherine Sue Gazal Christine Kenworthy, Dr Holly Kerr & Mr Anthony de Leede, Ms Anne De Ronald & Helen Griffin Forsyth, Prof Michael & Mrs Sarah Salis, Dr Roderick & Mrs Gillian Deane, David & Kathryn Groves Lawrence, Ms Julie Lee, Ms Robin Low, Ms Suzanne Dowsett, Prof Geoffrey & Lesley Kernaghan Dr Carolyn Lowry OAM & Mr Peter Mrs Jan Driscoll, Ms Annie Fergusson Cyril G. Maloney Lowry OAM, Dr David & Mrs Judith & Mr Jim Fergusson, Mr Bruce Flood Pauline A. Markwell Maynard, Mrs Susan & Mr Richard Miles, & Ms Kathy Olsen, Mr David Fuller, Mr Elizabeth Mooney Mr Andrew Mitchell & Mr Brendan John Gale, Mr Raffael Garofano & Mrs Faye Parker Hartnett, Mr David & Mrs Cheryl Nelson, Margaret Garofano, Mr Warren Green, Sam & Helen Sheffer Mrs Barbara Palfreeman, Mr Robert Mr Desmond & Dr Catherine Guy, Mrs Prue Socha & Mr Derek Paisley, Dr Mary & Dr Helen & Mr Graham Hamilton, Mr Maxine Stewart Nancy Rickard, Mrs Sandra Robberds, William Hodgson, Mrs Annie Hughes, Mrs Beverley Roden, Mrs Louise & Mr Foundation supporters Mr Gordon & Mrs Jeanette King, Mrs Donald Rowston, Dr Diana & Dr Peter Professor Noel & Adrienne Dan Susan & Mr Gilles Kryger, Miss Nina Sainsbury, Mr Garry Scarf & Ms Maureen Gillian Davies Loder, Mrs Mary Rose & Dr Colin Blaxill, Mr John Southwell OAM, Miss Andrew & Penny Davis McDonald, Mrs Caroline Minogue, Ms Suzanne Stebbings, Miss Kathryn Alistair McLean Helen Murray, Dr Kenneth & Mrs Helen Stoddart, Mrs Aline & Mr Peter Ter Robert & Heather Wicht Neale, Ms Jill Paterson, Mrs Patricia Reid, Horst, Mr Richard & Mrs Anna Walker, Susan Wilson Mrs Janis Salisbury, Mr Colin Simson, Mrs Francis Walsh, Dr John & Mrs Mrs Prue Socha, Dr Velencia Soutter, Beverley Warneford, Mr Dean White & Friends Waratah Members Mrs Ruth Staples, Mr Graham & Mrs Mrs Sophie Polednik, Ms Marion and Mr Friends who gave extra financial support Beverley Thompson, Mr ER & Mrs ME James Taylor, Dr Mary Taylor, Mr John & through their Waratah membership Vellacott, Mr Christopher Wood. Mrs Irene Willimott, Mrs Elizabeth Wills, during the year were: Bronze Waratahs Mrs Beryl Adamson, Ms Robyn & Mr Terry Winton, Mrs J O & Gold Waratahs Dr Charles S Barnes, Mr Ross Adamson, Mr Geoffrey Dr W H Wolfenden, Mrs Jill Wran. Mr Donald & Mrs Sally Bradford, Dr Ainsworth & Ms Laura Olsson, Mrs Friends Life Memberships For the Gillian Davies, Mrs Zeny & Mr Bruce Antoinette Albert, Mrs Nancy Anderson, first time in many years the Friends Edwards, Mr John Egan, Mr John Flint Mrs Chris Armour, Mr Henry & Mrs awarded a life membership, to Alex & Mrs Nora Hinchen, Mr Graham & Mrs Peta Badgery, Mr Stephen & Mrs and Dorothy Robertson. They join John Virginia Froebel, Mr Neville H Grace, Alexandra Barratt, Mr Edmund Burgess and Shirley Stackhouse and John and Dr Max & Mrs Tess Hooper, Mrs Judith & Ms Renette Townsend, Mr Geoffrey Jocelyn Morris who were awarded MacIntyre, Mrs Susan Maple-Brown, & Mrs Sarah Cains, Miss Beverley life membership some years ago. Mrs Judith & Mr John McKernan, Dr Cameron, Mrs Adrienne Campbell, Dr Life membership is awarded to those William & Mrs Sarah Nelson, Mr Geoff Donald & Mrs Margot Child, Mr Paul who have made a very considerable & Mrs Rachel O’Conor, Mr David & Mrs & Mrs Dianne Cini, Mr Ashley & Mrs contribution to the Friends or to Patricia Pulsford, Dr Alex & Mrs Dorothy Lorraine Colvin, Mr Robert & Mrs Janet the Trust. n Robertson, Mrs Susan Rothwell, Mr Bill Constable, Ms Susanne de Ferranti, Dr & Mrs Maureen Ryan, Mr Mark & Mrs Julie Fitness, Mrs Nancy Fox & Mr Bruce
42 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Appendices
Total Water Use 250 Appendix A Mount Tomah Botanic Garden 200 Mount Tomah uses 100% non-potable Environmental Management Report water for irrigation and facilities 150 Trust Environment Statement management. Water is sourced from 100 local dams, creeks and rainwater tanks. ML (’000s) See main body of report (p.30) Following treatment, this water is also 50 used to supply public facilities. Water Usage 0 00–01 01–02 02–03 03–04 04–05 05–06 06–0707–08 Royal Botanic Gardens Electricity, Gas and CO2 Greenhouse Fig. 1 Royal Botanic Gardens potable Historically, the Royal Botanic Gardens Emissions water use has been a high irrigation water Additional major events at all Trust consumer. A Water Savings Action Plan estates resulted in a slightly higher completed in 2006 identified where than expected energy use. However, all water savings could be made. 100 events in the Phillip Precinct now use Permanent monitoring was installed 100 per cent Green Power. Elsewhere 90 on the main meter and at specific the Trust uses six per cent Green Power 80 locations including the Central Depot, and will seek to increase this percentage administration buildings and on the or pursue ‘green generation’ itself in 70 irrigation ring-main, to monitor water future years.
60 flows and to detect (then repair) leaks. This monitoring system was Royal Botanic Gardens 50 commissioned by Sydney Water, Improvements to street lighting around under the Every Drop Counts Business the Domain increased the lighting KL (’000s) 40 Program. Further water savings were standard, improved security, and the use made through careful planting, of more efficient light globes resulted 30 mulching, only watering high-use lawns, in a reduction in greenhouse emissions. 20 and installing rainwater tanks at some Lower gas consumption contributed to display gardens. an overall slight reduction in emissions. 10 The Gardens had a 20 per cent Mount Annan Botanic Garden 0 reduction in water usage compared to 00–01 01–02 02–03 03–04 04–05 05–06 06–0707–08 last year and a total reduction of 58 per A five per cent (per annum) increase in Potable water cent since benchmarking in 2000–01, consumption was due to an increase Non-potable water thereby reducing baseflow consumption in venue hire including after-hour’s Water / kilo litres from 90kL/day to below 40kL/day. weddings that required lighting. Air Fig. 2 Mount Annan Botanic Garden Further water saving initiatives are being conditioning enhancements and water use identified and costed. additional security lighting have also Mount Annan Botanic Garden contributed to the increase. Mount Annan sources unfiltered Mount Tomah Botanic Garden Annual CO Production irrigation water from the Upper Canal 2 Construction of the Waratah 3,500 that runs from Cataract Dam to Prospect Education Centre caused an increase 3,000 Reservoir. Regular maintenance work in electricity consumption. Conversely, 2,500 to the canal disrupts supply and causes 2 the Garden to use a local potable water the geothermal heat exchange used 2,000 supply for irrigation. for heating and cooling the building 1,500 onnes CO provided ongoing energy savings, T 1,000 Sydney Water, under its Every Drop resulting in an overall reduction. Counts Business Program, commissioned 500 a number of meters that were installed 0 Waste Management 02–03 03–04 04–05 05–06 06–0707–08 to assess water use and identify areas Gas Electricity Total for improvement. The monitoring The NSW Government’s Waste identified that one third of annual Reduction and Purchasing Policy Figure 3 Trust Greenhouse gas emissions irrigation water flow was lost through (WRAPP) is a whole-of-government leaks and pipe breaks. Water storage for policy that aims to make NSW fire fighting also increases potable water Government agencies and State-owned consumption. corporations model waste managers by:
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 43 • reducing waste Appendix B • Strengthen measures to control • increasing recycling unsustainable utilization of plant Global Strategy for Plant Conservation resources • increasing purchases of products (GSPC): a summary of Trust activity in with recycled content. 2007– 08 against GSPC targets • Support the development of livelihoods based on sustainable use WRAPP requires agencies to give priority The Global Strategy for Plant of plants, and promote the fair and to buying materials with recycled Conservation was adopted by the equitable sharing of benefits arising content where they are cost and 6th Conference of the Parties to the from the use of plant diversity performance competitive, and reduce international Convention on Biological the amount of waste generated. Diversity. • Promote education and awareness about plant diversity Waste data and purchasing data are The Trust, together with the Council of reported separately. Waste figures Heads of Australian Botanic Gardens • Build capacity for the conservation of quoted compare the performance of the (CHABG) and the Botanic Gardens of plant diversity Botanic Gardens Trust with the overall Australia and New Zealand (BGANZ) have • Link and integrate actors to maximize performance of the Department of committed to pursuing GSPC targets Environment and Climate Change (DECC). action and potential synergies in wherever possible in their scientific, support of plant conservation. Waste horticultural and educational activities. The GSPC themes and global targets Recycled: The ultimate and long-term objective for the year 2010, and relevant Trust • 70% of all paper and cardboard of the GSPC is to halt the current and activities in the year 2007–08, are products (DECC 82%) continuing loss of plant diversity. Within as follows: • 49% of all toner cartridges this ultimate and long-term objective, (DECC 52%) the GSPC has sub-objectives as follows: Understanding and documenting • 100% of PC monitor CPUs • Understand and document plant plant diversity • 100% of construction materials diversity, monitor status and trends Target 1: A widely accessible working (asphalt, timber, bricks, plasterboard in global plant diversity and its list of known plant species, as a step etc), with the exception of some conservation, threats to plant towards a complete world flora glass (86%) (DECC 94%) diversity, and identify plant species, The Trust maintains the National plant communities, and associated • 100% of vegetation waste Herbarium of New South Wales, the habitats and ecosystems at risk, (DECC 87%). principal repository for documented including consideration of ‘red lists’ Purchasing Data samples and data of the State’s plants Office paper averaged 9% recycled • Develop an integrated, distributed, and one of the major repositories and content (some papers with higher interactive information system botanical research centres for Australia recycled content interfere with printers to manage and make accessible and the region. and photocopiers). information on plant diversity The 1.2 million herbarium specimens Landscape materials (e.g. mulch) was • Promote research on the genetic form an authenticated scientific 93% recycled. diversity, systematics, taxonomy, baseline of taxonomic, nomenclatural ecology and conservation biology of and distributional knowledge of plant plants and plant communities, and species, and contribute to the accuracy associated habitats and ecosystems, and currency of specialist handbooks and on social, cultural and economic and general Floras (e.g. the multi-volume factors that impact biodiversity, so Flora of Australia, Algae of Australia that plant diversity, both in the wild and Fungi of Australia — in progress; and in the context of human activities, the Flora of New South Wales — now can be well understood and utilized maintained on line through PlantNET). to support conservation action Herbarium staff are contributing to the new Australian Plant Census. • Conserve plant diversity: improve long-term conservation, Progress in the digital capture of management and restoration of plant scientific data, and in the development diversity, plant communities, and the of our database structures and tools, associated habitats and ecosystems, is leading to an increasing focus on in situ and, where necessary, ex-situ conservation-related information
44 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 systems. These include records of Target 2: A preliminary assessment State, including in reserve acquisition historic and current mapping of of the conservation status of all strategies. vegetation cover, species distributions, known plant species, at national, survey records, living collections, habitat, regional and international levels Internationally, staff are members physical and biological features and of the IUCN (World Conservation geographical information systems (GIS). The Trust is represented on the two key Union) Commission on Ecosystem inter-agency committees that assess Management, the Species Survival Trust scientific staff and research the conservation status of species for Commission Red-List Committee, and associates are active in the production legislative listing in the State: the NSW the IUCN Species Survival Commission and documentation of taxonomic Scientific Committee (for terrestrial Reintroduction Specialist Group. knowledge across a wide range of plant species) and the NSW Fisheries Scientific groups (seed plants, some gymnosperms Committee (for aquatic species). Other Ecological studies of several and ferns, bryophytes, marine and Trust staff and associates contribute communities (some of them freshwater algae, and some lichens and to the provision of information on endangered) across the Sydney Basin fungi). which the assessments and legislative also continue. scheduling of threatened species and The Trust has established high-level Target 5: Protection of 50 per cent of threatened communities are made at contact with the Global Taxonomy the most important areas for plant both State and Commonwealth level. Initiative of the Conference of the diversity assured Parties to the Convention on Biological Target 3: Development of This target is not relevant to the Trust Diversity, and with other international models with protocols for plant except insofar as it provides botanical groups, to further the Asia-Pacific conservation and sustainable use, and plant pathology expertise and objectives. The Trust continued based on research and practical services to assist with assessment and its contribution to national and experience management of reserve lands. international committees related to the management and dissemination Scientific staff of the Trust contribute Target 6: At least 30 per cent of plant diversity data. The Trust is to the development of model systems, of production lands managed a member of the IUBS International training manuals, common conservation consistent with the conservation of Working Group on Taxonomic data-repositories, and long-term plant diversity Databases and the Australian Herbarium monitoring projects of importance Information Committee (HISCOM), to vegetation management and The NSW Native Vegetation and is represented on the Executive conservation. Classification and Assessment is Committees of key international progressively describing and classifying Conservation ecology work detailed database groups (particularly, members (but not mapping) the native ecological under Target 7 below is contributing of staff are the Chair of the Global Plant (vegetation) communities of NSW. directly to a capability to model species Checklist Committee of International The western half of the State (mainly responses to habitat change, including Organization for Plant Information; rangeland production systems climate change. member of GBIF Electronic Catalogue with some irrigation cropping) was of Names Subcommittee and Chair of completed in 2006 – 07, and further the project team of Species 2000). The Conserving plant diversity progress in the current year has seen Trust is also a member of the Species Target 4: At least 10 per cent of each data collection and some parts of write- 2000 Asia-Oceania group and the of the world’s ecological regions up completed for important new regions Pacific Biodiversity Information Forum. effectively conserved (South-west Slopes Bioregion, Brigalow These groups encourage international Belt South Bioregion, and the western The NSW Native Vegetation and national biodiversity activities in the half of the New England tableland). Classification and Assessment broad region. This review and typology of ecological continues, with the ecological communities is an essential information The second phase of a ‘Guide to trees (vegetation) communities of over system for conservation management of of Papua New Guinea’ (http: www. half the land area of the State now these areas. pngplants.org) project is underway as documented, including close estimates part of a collaborative research initiative of the proportion conserved and the The seed biology of over 150 species with the Papua New Guinea National nature of threats facing them. This of Cumberland Plain plant species is Herbarium. More than 520 species have comprehensive review and typology of being documented through in-situ been completed in the project, which the ecological communities across the and laboratory studies at Mount will help document the tree flora of State is becoming a standard reference Annan Botanic Garden. This that country. for conservation planning in the information contributes directly to
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 45 management strategies for the several dormancy, longevity and other workshops (one at Mount Annan) endangered ecological communities ecological characteristics of the have been held to develop the revised and many threatened species of the species. guidelines. Cumberland Plain. • A Liverpool Plains native grassland The NSW Seedbank has been a major Target 7: Sixty per cent of the survey mapping of the current focus of activity for several years, and world’s threatened species and pre-European extents of the the Trust is in its second and final conserved in-situ grasslands is in the data analysis triennium of support funding from stage, following completion of the Millennium Seed Bank (UK). This Trust staff, and our collections and fieldwork. This community is listed as funding has enabled an expanded databases, provide much of the basic an endangered ecological community program of seed collection, seed- taxonomic, distributional and diagnostic under the NSW Threatened Species banking and technology, and seed information on which the recognition, Conservation Act, with less than biology research over recent years conservation assessment, and three per cent remaining). management of plant species depends. The NSW Seedbank is an active • Conservation ecology and genetic partner in the newly formed national Trust staff also provide expert input and research is using molecular, AuSCaR (Australian Seed Conservation research support to many Recovery Plans ecological and environmental data and Research) network, which and Threat Abatement Plans, and to the from rare and common paleo- groups all MSB partners and is laying NSW DECC Priority Action Statement for endemic NSW rainforest trees to the foundations for a cooperative threatened species. identify causes of rarity and to infer continuance of the MSB-funded past patterns of spread and retreat Trust staff members are active programs after 2010. The Trust has two with environmental changes. This members of: staff members on the AuSCaR interim helps build models for assessment of steering committee, which is developing the responses of wild plant species • the IUCN Species Survival strategic placement and a business to environmental impacts like habitat Commission Reintroduction Specialist program for the organisation. Group fragmentation and climate change, and hence informs management and The NSW Seedbank at 1 July 2008 holds • the Wollemi Pine Management and recovery strategies. 9,085 accessions representing 4,942 Recovery Committee taxa, of which 5,074 collections and • Wollemi Pine ecological and • the Border Ranges Multi-Species pathological studies: the Trust 2,353 taxa are native to NSW. Of the Recovery Committee remains significantly involved in 6,923 native taxa that naturally occur research and management of the in NSW, the NSW Seedbank now has • several single-species and single- samples of 34 per cent. Of the 594 community recovery teams. iconic Wollemi Pine, including study of grove ecology and growth legislatively listed Threatened Plant During the year, input was made to dynamics, and tracking and treating species in NSW, the seedbank holds 29 relevant DECC units on the Priority the recent outbreak of Phytophthora per cent (338 seedlots of 168 species). Action Statement for threatened root-rot at one site. Germination tests are carried out on species. The Trust is represented at dried seed of nearly all seedbanked meetings of the DECC Biodiversity Target 8: Sixty per cent of species (807 germination tests Conservation Managers group, which threatened plant species in completed to date) and data is being focuses on threatened species and accessible ex situ collections, prepared for publication. A range of ecosystems. preferably in the country of origin, and 10 per cent of them included in factors and tests for germinability and Research programs with a direct bearing recovery and restoration programs viability are performed and recorded, on adaptive management of wild plants and in many cases are the first in-situ include: Trust staff led a successful process systematic studies of the seed responses during the year, in collaboration with of the species concerned, thus providing • The seed biology of Cumberland the Australian Network for Plant baseline data of use in ex situ and in situ Plain Woodland plants (see above). Conservation Inc. and The Millennium conservation. CPW is one of a number of Seed Bank Australian Partners Endangered Ecological Communities consortium, to initiate a national The Research Program at Mount Annan occurring in the Sydney region. working group for revision of the Botanic Garden has this year focussed In-situ management and recovery national standard document Germplasm on some key areas in order to increase actions for Cumberland Plain species Conservation Guidelines, for species of the relevance of the program — at require information on germination, conservation significance. Two national departmental, national and international
46 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 levels — in the areas of germplasm of conferences including: the natural area and species managers. conservation and utilisation. International Seed Ecology Research continued on a major external Conference (Perth 2007), BGANZ collaborative study documenting the Through the Royal Botanic Gardens (New Zealand 2007), Int. Symposium species of fungi causing leaf spot Foundation, a new ‘Rainforest Seeds on Floricultural Crops (Portugal 2007) diseases on plants in the families Project’ was launched in early 2008, and ANPC (Sydney 2008). Proteaceae and Myrtaceae. A long-term using three years funding from Allianz focus of research is on the distribution, Target 9: Seventy per cent of the and two private benefactors. Seeds of pathology and genetic variation of genetic diversity of crops and eastern Australian rainforest species will Phytophthora cinnamomi (a cause other major socio-economically be screened for their ability to be stored of root-rot and dieback in several by conventional means. Where seeds valuable plant species conserved, national parks and other natural areas are recalcitrant to storage, alternative and associated indigenous and local in eastern New South Wales) as well as ex situ conservation techniques will knowledge maintained important bushland reserves on Sydney be developed, including tissue culture Trust activity against this Target falls Harbour foreshores. Trust staff are active and cryogenics. This work involves mainly under the heads of research and members of the NSW Phytophthora Collaboration with Griffith University training in plant pathology, and the Threat Abatement Working Group, and the Millennium Seedbank. promulgation of Indigenous knowledge and of ad hoc liaison groups with local and insights into the wider community councils and other land managers, and A number of papers were accepted through teaching and interpretation. are working through these avenues for publication in the development of to develop practical management and In plant pathology (see also under Target robust techniques for simultaneous risk-minimisation protocols. Remedial 10 below), the Trust contributed to storage of terrestrial orchid seeds with treatment of a wild grove of Wollemi studies of diseases of crop plants and their mycorrhizal fungi. Pines for Phytophthora cinnamomi the potential for pathogens to cross infection continues. The technique involves the use of from native ecosystems to cropping alginate beads that act in a similar systems. Major pathogens like Fusarium manner to seeds, and will be used on may in some circumstances lead to the Using plant diversity sustainably a wider number of species over the next loss of important parts of the genomic Target 11: No species of wild flora few years. variation of crop species. endangered by international trade
Other activities included: School education and visitor programs The Trust is represented on the NSW have a high component of Indigenous Cut-flower Advisory Committee. The • A new 3-day course in ‘Plant knowledge content — see below. Botanical Information Service provides Germplasm Conservation and expert plant identifications, including for Sustainable Development’ was Target 10: Management plans in export-control authorities. Trust services developed and delivered to honours- place for at least 100 major alien provide expert forensic identification year students from the University species that threaten plants, plant for plant import/export seizures as of Sydney communities and associated habitats needed, and contributes to import risk • Courses involving Mount Annan staff and ecosystems assessment processes as appropriate. on seed collection and storage were The Trust is represented on two key Target 12: Thirty per cent of plant- held for Florabank/Greening Australia inter-agency committees that assess based products derived from sources and the Sydney Catchment Authority the threatening processes (including that are sustainably managed • Research staff prepared a number of those relating to alien species) for NSW This target is not relevant to the Trust chapters and co-edited the revision legislative listing as Key Threatening except insofar as we are able to provide of the Australian Network for Plant Processes. expert advice in some instances, for Conservation’s Plant Germplasm assessment of sustainable yield. The Botanical Information Service Conservation Guidelines. provides expert identification of exotic Target 13: The decline of plant • Mount Annan Research staff and introduced weed species, and works resources, and associated indigenous organised and hosted the 7th with external collaborators to ensure and local knowledge, innovations National Conference of the Australian early detection of newly naturalising and practices that support Network for Plant Conservation, held species. sustainable livelihoods, local food at Mulgoa 21–24 April 2008. security and health care, halted The Plant Disease Diagnostic Unit • Research staff contributed provides affordable diagnoses of these This target is partially relevant to a presentations to a number and other plant diseases, including for range of current Trust programs and
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 47 projects through which the Trust advises Promoting education and awareness Public programs included structured government bodies on conservation about plant diversity educational courses and activities with priorities and opportunities, host Target 14: The importance of a plant or horticultural focus, on-site relevant public and specialist events, and plant diversity and the need for visitor interpretation, talks and guided have some staff expertise in Indigenous its conservation incorporated into tours. Conservation and sustainability and non-Indigenous plant practices and communication, educational and themes were an element of a majority cultural knowledge. public-awareness programs of these interactions.
The Trust provides much of the advice Science staff give presentations to The ‘Community Greening’ program and raw data, and some of the both public and scientific or specialist reached around 3,300 participants in analysis, on which estimates of decline audiences, and the Trust’s two scientific community garden projects, and the of wild plant species and vegetation journals continue to document the new ‘Youth Community Greening’ team communities can be scientifically taxonomic diversity of the State’s visited 20 schools and taught nearly based. The NSW Native Vegetation plants (Telopea), and their ecology 500 students. Classification and Assessment project is (Cunninghamia). providing a literature-based assessment Building capacity for the of post settlement decline, and current Prompt and accurate servicing of public conservation of plant diversity reserve-representation, for all recognised botanical inquiries plays an important Target 15: The number of trained ecological communities across the State role in awareness raising, particularly people working with appropriate as the project trends eastwards. in relation to threatened species in facilities in plant conservation development zones. The Botanical increased, according to national The Trust is committed to employing Information Service provides prompt Aboriginal people to interpret their own needs, to achieve the targets of this and reliable identifications to public and culture and to provide an Indigenous Strategy professional inquirers, as does the Plant perspective of the environment for Disease Diagnostic Unit (PDDU). visitors. The Trust employs a full-time Tertiary level professional and technical Aboriginal Education Officer and The Ecology of Cumberland Plain training is mainly through the Science engages several Indigenous educators Woodland Plants section continues units. Forty-two tertiary students in on a casual basis for program delivery at to attract among the highest hit- various branches of plant science were all three botanic estates. Lessons about rate of any Trust web pages. These supervised this year, and staff delivered Aboriginal culture and plants continue make accessible ecological data and guest lectures at various universities, to be very popular and approximately knowledge for the western part of including our joint Systematics course 30 per cent of all school visitation Greater Sydney (including for several with the University of New England. participated in these. Aboriginal heritage endangered ecological communities and The Plant Science Student Intern tours of the Royal Botanic Gardens threatened species). Program had its first intake of tertiary attracted 774 paying participants. Mount Annan Botanic Garden hosted students over summer, resulting in much The Trust’s ‘Community Greening’ the biennial national conference of extra work done for the Herbarium. The program is an educational partnership the Australian Network for Plant twelve participants left with a much with the NSW Department of Conservation in April. The theme improved understanding of current Housing and corporate sponsor Eden of the conference was ‘Responding issues in botany and conservation, an Gardens and Garden Centre. This to threatening processes in plant orientation towards the Gardens as a year ‘Community Greening’ staff conservation’. Over four days, more centre of plant science, and improved reached 3,300 participants on 248 than 200 plant conservation scientists, career prospects. The Intern Program visits to community garden projects. managers and community practitioners will now be held annually. The ‘Youth Community Greening’ heard more than 50 presentations The Centre for Plant Conservation (CPC) team visited 20 schools and taught and attended workshops and field-site coordinates several aspects of Trust nearly 500 students in garden-related inspections. classes and garden clubs in its first two work on biodiversity conservation, and months of operation. Conservation Community Education staff at all is a focus of outreach and collaboration and sustainability themes form part three botanic gardens delivered school with the Australian Network for Plant of the program. Since its inception and public programs to over 55,000 Conservation Inc., and the Australian in 2000, ‘Community Greening’ has visitors this financial year, with a further Association of Bush Regenerators, assisted more 23,000 participants in 14,000 people involved in extra-mural among other organisations. The CPC 150 disadvantaged communities around activities. Lessons in the Gardens were Coordinator also maintains close links NSW to develop communal gardens. delivered to over 23,000 students. with a number of other DECC units, and
48 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 with biodiversity conservation units in Appendix C forging relationships and assisting with agencies in other jurisdictions. conservation and research projects. On Asia-Pacific Capacity Building the advice of the Executive Director, Target 16: Networks for plant Action Plan the Friends of The Gardens continued conservation activities established Objective to give priority to travel funding or strengthened at national, applications in this region. regional and international levels To contribute to the long-term conservation of plants and their habitats Develop a Diploma in Asia Pacific • Trust staff are active at national and worldwide, by building capacity and Botanic Garden Management with local leadership levels in the Australian sharing expertise among botanic Singapore Botanic Gardens, Botanic Network for Plant Conservation. gardens of the Asia-Pacific region. Gardens Conservation International • Collaboration has been maintained and Botanic Gardens of Australia with the Australian Association of Rationale and New Zealand. Bush Regenerators, with a number of events hosted. The Botanic Gardens Trust is a leading Drs Entwisle and Moors met with botanic garden in Australia and colleagues from the Singapore Plant pathology staff are working internationally; it is relatively well Botanic Gardens and Botanic Gardens to develop Phytophthora awareness resourced and has the capacity to help; Conservation International to plan a networks between local government, it has good historical connections with pilot diploma for mid-2009. A draft State agencies, and other land- countries in the Asia-Pacific region; course outline was approved, subject to management authorities. Australia and New South Wales both feedback from participating countries. have interests in the local region which Also see Appendix C for the Asia-Pacific The course will be funded through this could enhance. Capacity Building Action Plan. sponsorship, course registration and in- The Trust has stronger links with some kind support from members of Botanic countries and botanic gardens, for Gardens of Australia and New Zealand example Bogor and Singapore, and will (BGANZ; e.g. to cover travel for staff to use these relationships to assist in the teach in the course). BGANZ will also program. There are some countries that, consider using funds from the major due to historical linkages, proximity botanic gardens to provide a scholarship or need, have been identified as high for participants in the Asia-Pacific Region. priorities: New Guinea, Indonesia, East Seek funding to assist staff (airfares Timor and New Caledonia. However, and some living expenses) to travel rather than identify specific ‘target to Singapore (or elsewhere) to areas’, the Trust will be opportunistic teach in the Diploma course, and and, where possible and reasonable, to consider funding a scholarship respond to demand. for a non-Australian attendee (can be country specific if this is more Progress Against Actions appealing to a funding source) Establish relationships opportunistically with botanic The Development Manager is working gardens within the region with Singapore Botanic Gardens to seek sponsorship for the Diploma as a whole, Executive Director Dr Tim Entwisle possibly including travel scholarships attended the East Asia Botanic Gardens for local attendees. Funding will also be Network meeting in Seoul. Dr Entwisle sought to support the travel of at least and Dr Phil Moors, Director Royal two Botanic Gardens Trust staff to teach Botanic Gardens Melbourne, were in the Diploma. supported by the Australia-Korea Foundation to attend this meeting and Prepare and implement procedures to visit botanic gardens in the Republic for overseas visitors generally of Korea. On the return trip, Drs Draft Procedures were prepared and will Entwisle and Moors visited Singapore be submitted to Botanic Gardens Trust Botanic Gardens (see below). Executive in early 2008–09. Scientists from the Botanic Gardens Trust visited the Asia-Pacific region,
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 49 Prepare modular program for and morphological data for generic Department of the Environment short-term stays by visiting botanic delimitation and species identification and Water Resources (formerly garden professionals, including in Lauraceae $150,000 (1st year of a Department of Environment and consideration of accommodation 3-year $300,000 grant). Heritage) — Natural Heritage Trust options at Botanic Gardens Trust and National Action Plan on Salinity estates Dr Peter Wilson and Dr Chris Quinn — Dr Maurizio Rossetto — Translocation of Generic position of the non persistent- Elaeocarpus williamsianus by To be prepared in 2008–09. fruited species of Leptospermum R. Kooyman $6,500. (Myrtaceae) $22,000 (2nd year of a Integrate the Asia-Pacific Capacity 2-year $44,000 grant). John Benson — NSW Native Vegetation Building program, along with any Classification and Assessment $200,000 other international training projects Australian Flora Foundation (2nd year of a 2-year $400,000 grant). for botanic gardens, in the proposed Dr Peter Wilson and Dr Maurizio Centre for Plant Conservation and Rossetto – Reproductive biology of Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Research the Magenta Lilly Pilly (Syzygium Management Authority paniculatum) $11,600 per year ($21,000 Dr Edward Liew, Dr Brett Summerell The Asia-Pacific Capacity Building and Dr Rose Daniel —Management if 2nd year supported). program is part of the business case of the Plant Pathogen Phytophthora being prepared for the Centre for Plant Australian Research Council – cinnamomi within the Hawkesbury- Conservation and Research at Mount Discovery Grant Nepean catchment $100,000. Annan Botanic Garden. Dr Maurizio Rossetto, Dr Darren Hermon Slade Foundation Crayn with Dr M.S. Pole and Dr A. Dr Maurizio Rossetto and Dr Peter Lowe (Uni Adelaide) — Developing Weston — Speciation in the Australian biogeographical know-how: improving flora: testing explanatory hypotheses in species divergence and dispersal Appendix D waratahs and their allies $18,800 (1st estimations to examine geological year of a 3-year $90,000 grant). Research Grants and climatic evolutionary drivers, $282,000 shared with the University of Dr Elizabeth Brown — Relationships Grant Funding to the Trust Queensland. $10,000 to BGT (2nd year of the Austral family Lepidoziaceae The Australia and Pacific Science of a 3-year $58,609 grant). $18,767 (delayed start — 3rd year of Foundation 3-year $56,000 grant) — extended Australian Systematic Botany Dr Adam Marchant and Dr George Orel beyond 30 June 2006. Society (ASBS) — Hansjorg Eichler — Genetic and horticultural assessment Research Fund Dr Darren Crayn and Dr Maurizio of the Australian native ‘bush potato’ Margaret Heslewood (PhD in Rossetto — Evolution and conservation (Ipomoea costata). $11,000 (3rd year progress through Uni of Adelaide) genetics of Australasian Eleocarpaceae of a 3-year $42,000 grant) (extended $29,490 (3rd year of 3-year $90,000 Phylogeography and biogeography beyond 30 June 2007). grant) — extended beyond 30 June of genera in the family Cunoniaceae 2006 to 31 Oct 2006. Australian Biological Resources in Australasia; focusing on the Study (ABRS) genus Ceratopetalum; grant will Dr Cathy Offord — Storage of NSW rare Karen Wilson & Prof. Jeremy Bruhl (UNE) enable sampling from populations of and threatened NSW orchid species and — Phylogeny, taxonomy and biology Ceratopetalum apetalum (coachwood) at their associated mycorrhizae $30,000 of Schoenus: A Cinderella of Australian the northern limit of its range. $2,000. (3rd year of a 3-year $90,000 grant) Cyperaceae $150,000 (1st year of a (extended beyond 30 June 2006). Australia’s Virtual Herbarium Trust 3-year $300,000 grant). Dr Brett Summerell — Australia’s Virtual Horticulture Australia Limited Dr Darren Crayn, Dr Maurizio Rossetto, Herbarium $83,500 (1st year of a 2-year Dr Edward Liew and Andrew Watson, Dr Peter Weston, Dr John Conran (Uni $167,000 grant). NSW DPI — Fusarium wilt of Snow Peas of Adel), A/Prof. Santiago Madriñan in Australia $46,780 (2nd year of a 4-year $140,340 grant). (Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Department of Environment and Colombia), Dr Henk van der Werff Climate Change (NSW) — Natural Dr Edward Liew and Prof. David Guest, (Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Heritage Trust University of Sydney — Biology and MI, USA) plus retirees Bernie Hyland Dr Alan Millar — Databasing seaweeds Management of nut rot of chestnut and Bruce Gray (rainforest botanists in National Herbarium of NSW — $15,000 (1st year of a 3-year $45,000 CSIRO, Qld) — Integrating molecular $29,000. grant).
50 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Matrix Plus Consulting vegetation function (3rd year of sharing Appendix E Dr Maurizio Rossetto — Genetic Studies in $2,500,000 over 5 years). on Erythroxylum $25,300. Publications Friends of The Gardens Pacific Biological Foundation Science Dr Barry Conn — Interactive Research Grants Telopea (a journal of systematic identification keys to the common trees Herbarium Internship Program $14,000. research) and Cunninghamia (a of PNG $15,000 (3rd year of 3-year Travel Grants to Trust staff journal of plant ecology for eastern $45,000 grant) – extended beyond 30 Karen Wilson — attendance at the Australia), each published twice a year, June 2006. Monocots 4 International Conference are available by subscription, or on Royal Botanic Gardens Foundation in Copenhagen and associated visits to exchange to other organisations. Dr Cathy Offord – ‘Seeds for the other institutions $4,000. Future’ — rainforest seeds conservation General Louisa Murray and Katherine Downs — project $130,000 (1st year of a 3-year Challenges of Herbarium curation and Botanic Gardens of Sydney Guidebook $390,000 grant). fieldwork in the Tropics, Papua New (2005) Over 100 pages of information for visitors to the three botanic gardens Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Guinea $7,500. and Domain. Available from Trust Management Authority (SMCMA) Grants Gardens shops. and DECC (Science and Policy Royal Botanic Gardens Library Division), Parks and Wildlife compactus $70,000. Some earlier publications may be Division, Environmental Protection available on request. and Regulation Division Margaret Flockton Award $10,000. Dr Edward Liew, Dr Brett Summerell, Dr Cathy Offord, Dr Amelia Martyn, Scholarships to Trust staff Bob Makinson, Dr Rose Daniel, Dr Tony Gillian Towler — Attend Australian Auld (SPD), Dr Keith McDougall (EPRD) Systematic Botany Society (ASBS) and Dr David Keith (PWD) — Survey Annual Symposium and Botanical Latin and Management of Phytophthora Workshop, Darwin, Northern Territory cinnamomi within the Sydney $2,300. Metropolitan Catchment Management Dr Edward Liew — Attend the 9th Authority $100,000. International Congress of Plant Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Pathology — Torino, Italy and the 10th Millennium Seed Bank (UK) International Fusarium Workshop — Peter Cuneo and Dr Cathy Offord — Sardinia, Italy $3,000. Seed Quest NSW partnership to supply 250 NSW seed collections per year. $278,000 (4th year of 6-year $831,000 grant).
Funding to Partner Organisations Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Dr Brett Summerell with The New York Botanic Garden for ‘Tree-BOL’, a ‘Barcode of Life (BOL) Project — $4,000 to New York Botanic Garden.
Australian Research Council — Research Networks Macquarie University (administrative body) with Dr Brett Summerell, Dr Tim Entwisle, Dr Darren Crayn, Dr Peter Weston, Dr Maurizio Rossetto] and 40 other partners – Australian- New Zealand Research Network for
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 51 Appendix F Overseas Travel
Name & Countries / Purpose of Visit Duration Total Cost Cost to Source of Other Position Cities visited Trust Funds Dr Alan Millar, Oviedo, Spain To attend the 12 July – 2 Aug $4,700 Nil Allen Press, USA, Principal European Phycological 2007 UGent, Belgium Research Congress Museum, France Scientist Dr Elizabeth Kuala Lumpur, To attend World 22 July – 3 Aug $3,500 Nil Various sources, Brown, Malaysia and Conference of 2007 including Hermon Systematic Borneo Bryology and field trip Slade Foundation Botanist to Mount Kinabalu Dr Edward Manado, To conduct workshops 28 July – 9 Aug $1,800 Nil Australian Centre for Liew, Plant North and field visits at Sam 2007 Agricultural Research Pathologist/ Sulawesi, Ratulangi University Mycologist Indonesia Mr Gareth Indonesia and To visit botanic 1 – 23 Aug 2007 $4,500 Nil Friends of The Hambridge, Malaysia gardens, national Gardens scholarship Horticulturist parks and attend conference Dr Tim Hamilton, To participate in 3rd 11 – 14 Oct 2007 $2,000 $1,500 Friends of The Entwisle, New Zealand Australasian Congress Gardens Executive of Botanic Gardens Director of Australia & New Zealand Ms Pauline Hamilton, To participate in 3rd 11 – 14 Oct 2007 $1,800 $1,237 Friends of The Markwell, New Zealand Australasian Congress Gardens Director of Botanic Gardens Royal Botanic of Australia & New Garden Zealand Foundation Mr Jason Hamilton, To participate in 3rd 11 – 14 Oct 2007 $1,800 $1,237 Friends of The Brown, New Zealand Australasian Congress Gardens Manager of Botanic Gardens Royal Botanic of Australia & New Gardens Zealand Mr Troy Hamilton, To participate in 3rd 11 – 14 Oct 2007 $1,800 $1,237 Friends of The Mason, New Zealand Australasian Congress Gardens Supervisor of Botanic Gardens Botanic of Australia & New Horticulture Zealand Mr Dawson Hamilton, To participate in 3rd 11 – 14 Oct 2007 $1,800 $1,237 Friends of The Ougham, New Zealand Australasian Congress Gardens Senior of Botanic Gardens Horticulturalist of Australia & New Zealand
52 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Name & Countries / Purpose of Visit Duration Total Cost Cost to Source of Other Position Cities visited Trust Funds Ms Rebecca Hamilton, To participate in 3rd 11 – 14 Oct 2007 $1,800 $1,237 Friends of The Moutia, New Zealand Australasian Congress Gardens Marketing of Botanic Gardens & Events of Australia & New Coordinator Zealand Mr Peter Hamilton, To participate in 3rd 11 – 14 Oct 2007 $1,800 $1,237 Friends of The Cuneo, New Zealand Australasian Congress Gardens Manager of Botanic Gardens Natural of Australia & New Heritage Zealand Ms Jan Allen, Hamilton, To participate in 3rd 11 – 14 Oct 2007 $1,800 $1,237 Friends of The Garden New Zealand Australasian Congress Gardens Information of Botanic Gardens Officer of Australia & New Zealand Ms Lorraine Hamilton, To participate in 3rd 11 – 14 Oct 2007 $1,800 $1,237 Friends of The Johnson, New Zealand Australasian Congress Gardens Senior Ranger of Botanic Gardens of Australia & New Zealand Ms Leonie Hamilton, To participate in 3rd 11 – 14 Oct 2007 $2,000 Nil Friends of The Hansen, New Zealand Australasian Congress Gardens Education of Botanic Gardens Officer of Australia & New Zealand Dr Darren Taipei, Taiwan To participate and 16 – 22 Sept 2007 $2,300 $2,300 Nil Crayn, present at 2nd Research International DNA Scientist Barcoding Conference Ms Karen Auckland, To visit Auckland 5 – 9 Nov 2007 $1,927 $1,258 Department of Wilson, New Zealand Museum Herbarium Environment and Manager Plant and participate in Water Resources and Diversity Species 2000 Team personal contribution and Taxonomy Group meetings Dr Barry Conn, Papua, New To conduct field 5 Oct – 15 Oct and $9,700 Nil The Australian & Principal Zealand studies of trees of the 3 Dec – 20 Dec Pacific Biological Research Western Province and 2007 Foundation Scientist Eastern Highlands Province Ms Leonie Panama City, To participate and 12 – 18 Jan 2008 $4,300 Nil Personal contribution Stanberg, Panama present in the Technical 8th International Officer Conference on Cycad Biology
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 53 Name & Countries / Purpose of Visit Duration Total Cost Cost to Source of Other Position Cities visited Trust Funds Dr John London, To attend meeting 25 – 31 Mar 2008 $3,000 Nil Grant funds Benson, Senior United of IUCN Ecosystem Ecologist Kingdom Management Commission sub-group on threat criteria for ecosystems Ms Karen Beijing, China To visit Chinese 27 Mar – 4 Apr $2,900 $1,400 Flora of China and Wilson, National Herbarium 2008 personal contribution Manager Plant and participate in Diversity Species 2000 Team and Taxonomy Group meetings Dr Brett New York, To participate in 29 Apr – 4 May $5,000 Nil Grant from Sloan Summerell, USA TREEBOL meeting at 2008 approx. Foundation to New Director New York Botanical York Botanical Garden Science and Garden Public Programs Ms Katherine Lae, Papua To conduct curation 21 – 29 June 2008 $4,750 $2,250 Friends of The Downs, New Guinea and training at Lae Gardens Curator Herbarium Ms Louisa Lae, Papua To conduct curation 21 – 29 June 2008 $4,750 $2,250 Friends of the Murray, New Guinea and training at Lae Gardens Manager Herbarium Collections Dr Brett Penang, To teach and 21 – 29 June 2008 $4,500 Nil Universiti Sains Summerell, Malaysia participate in Malaysia Director International Fusarium Science and Training workshop Public Programs Dr Tim Seoul, South To participate in East 7 – 14 June 2008 $6,800 Nil Australia-Korea Entwisle, Korea Asia Botanic Gardens Foundation Executive Network conference Director Dr Barry Conn, Lae and Port To participate in Phase 12 May – 22 June $8,500 Nil Australia & Pacific Principal Moresby, 4 of Guide to Trees of 2008 Biological Foundation Research Papua New Papua New Guinea Scientist Guinea Project Dr Elizabeth Fiji To survey bryophytes 9 – 18 April 2008 $3,500 Nil National Geographic Brown, Society grant to Field Systematic Museum, Chicago Bryologist Dr Barry Conn, Georgetown, To attend first meeting 14 – 27 June 2008 $10,800 Nil ACO-EU/CIFOR Principal Guyana of the Scientific Reseach Advisory Group of Scientist FORENET Dr Cathy Vancouver, To present at Wollemi 25 – 31 July 2008 $5,550 $500 Botanical Society of Offord, Senior Canada Pine Symposium America Research Scientist
54 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Appendix G Trust Staffing
Statutory and Other Information EFT EFT EFT EFT EFT 30 June 30 June 30 June 30 June 30 June Human Resource Information 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 The Botanic Gardens Trust is part of the Department of Environment and Climate Horticulturists/rangers 132 136 135 143 147 Change NSW. Ethnic Affairs Priorities Senior Officers 4 5 3 2 2 (EAPS) and trends in the representation of EEO groups are reported in the Snr Executive Service+ 2 2 2 2 3 annual report of the Department of Other* 128 113 105 112 102 Environment and Climate Change (DECC). Separate EEO data for the Trust Total 266 256 245 259 254 will be provided next year. Number of chief and senior executive officers, * Other includes building and mechanical trades staff, clerical staff, casual teachers, education officers, herbarium assistants, librarian, sales and information staff, scientific officers and technical officers. staff numbers, and work locations are reported below. + There were no female Senior Executive Service (SES) Officers employed by the Trust during the period 2004–08.
Two Ways Together Officers by Location The Trust supports the NSW Government’s The numbers reported are equivalent fulltime (EFT) employees. 10-year Aboriginal Affairs Plan, Two Ways Together, which focuses on Location EFT EFT EFT EFT overcoming Indigenous disadvantage 30 June 30 June 30 June 30 June and enhancing community appreciation 2008 2007 2006 2005 of Aboriginal cultural heritage. Royal Botanic Gardens & 178 170 153 171 Representation of Aboriginal people Domain increased this year with two permanent Mount Tomah Botanic 34 33 39 30 identified (Aboriginal) positions created Garden and filled at Mount Annan and Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens. These are Mount Annan Botanic 54 53 53 58 apprentice/trainee horticulturalist Garden positions and are in addition to the Total 266 256 245 259 existing identified apprentice position at the Royal Botanic Gardens. construction and Badger Bates, a well- Occupational Health and Safety The Trust also employs one full-time known Aboriginal artist, created the The Trust is committed to providing a permanent Aboriginal education officer sandstone sculptural centrepiece. safe workplace for all staff and visitors. and five casual Aboriginal education The total number of medically treated The Trust has decreed that Sorry Day is assistants to deliver school and public injuries was high for the early part of to be a free entry day for all visitors to programs which interpret the Aboriginal the year, followed by a steep decrease in Mount Annan Botanic Garden. On 26 cultural heritage of the Trust’s estates. injuries over the last quarter of the year May, an Open Day celebration was held Details of these programs appear which correlated with the roll-out of the in the Stolen Generations Memorial elsewhere in this report. Safety Check Book system. Garden for approximately 200 people. Cultural renewal and connection to The number of Lost Time Injuries The Woggan-ma-gule Morning country for local Aboriginal people was decreased significantly from last Ceremony performed at Farm Cove on facilitated with the opening, by the year, and the total days lost to injury Survival/Australia Day (26 January) Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, of the continue to be at record lows for the attracted hundreds of visitors. The Royal Stolen Generations Memorial at Mount organisation. Occupational Health and Botanic Gardens was also the venue for Annan Botanic Garden. Aboriginal Safety, and injury management statistics the Department of Environment and trainees from the Gandangarra Local for the Trust are reported in the annual Climate Change’s NAIDOC week cultural Aboriginal Land Council Community report of the Department. celebrations. Development and Employment Program To meet the NSW Public Sector OHS were integral to the Memorial’s and Injury Management milestones,
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 55 the following targets have been set for working with other divisions within the Trust or the Challenger Group in 2008 – 09: DECC to analyse and respond to this relation to the leasing process once ongoing problem. CDPG submitted their Expression of • Lost time injury frequency rate less Interest. This method of addressing • A new Worksafe Online (piloted than 25 Mr Martin’s conflict of interest was by DECC) at Mount Annan Botanic agreed to by an independent probity • Number of days lost to Injury less Garden, designed to improve advisor who oversaw the tender and than 75 response time and reporting lease negotiation process. Written of injuries to WorkCover and • Number of claims less than 5.7 confirmation has been received from management. • Average cost of claims remaining Challenger Group that Mr Martin did not participate in any aspect of the well below the DECC goal of Trustees Disclosure $19,236. process within their organisation. The Chairperson of the Trust, Mr The GardenSafe strategy outlines the Greg Martin, is Chief Executive Another Trustee, Mr Tom Pinzone, is a Trust’s safety system, and this year risk Officer of Challenger Infrastructure, director and shareholder of GHD. Mr minimisation continued to focus on: part of the Challenger Group which Pinzone became aware after 30 June also includes Challenger Diversified 2008 that GHD performed work to • Safe Work Methods Statements — Property Group (CDPG), who became the value of approximately $30,000 at forms which are completed when lessees of the Domain Car Park in Mount Annan Botanic Garden during a risk is identified: 22 prepared and May 2008. Due to this connection, the 2008 financial year. Mr Pinzone had 100 reviewed. Mr Martin did not participate in any no involvement in or knowledge of the work at the time it was performed. • Toolbox Talks — one-on-one safety discussion or decision-making within discussions based on the risks identified in Safe Work Methods Statements conducted prior to staff Account Payment Performance undertaking any major task: 3,100 Payment performance for each quarter completed throughout the year. • Safety Check Book — individual Quarter Current Less than Between Between More than safety checks carried out before ($) 30 days 30 and 60 and 90 days tasks: 10,200 were completed over overdue 60 days 90 days overdue ($) overdue ($) overdue ($) ($) the roll-out at the Sydney site — soon to be rolled out to Mount September 200,000 167,000 33,000 – – Annan and Mount Tomah sites. • OHS Self Assessment tool — a self- December 880,000 879,000 1,000 – – audit mechanism for members of the Executive: completed for all executive March 494,000 442,000 50,000 2,000 – and again, this year, all scoring at or above 95 per cent. June 1,117,000 1,015,000 53,000 49,000 – • Improved safety checklists and risk assessment tools. • Support for preventative measures such as warm-up routines and Accounts paid on time within each quarter general fitness training, and contributing to a DECC-wide review Quarter Target % Actual % $ Paid on Time $ Total Amount Paid of body stress injuries. September 85% 92% 4,729,000 4,924,000 • Monthly Safety Advisory Group meetings of senior management and December 85% 95% 5,991,000 6,086,000 OHS site committee chairs reviewing all aspects of GardenSafe and the March 85% 91% 4,970,000 5,344,000 Trust’s Safety Improvement Plan. A major focus this year continued to June 85% 91% 5,470,000 6,347,000 be body stress injuries. The Trust is
56 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 The Trust responded to the concerns Botanical Information Service about commercial events by committing to review the impact of such events, in Inquiry Statistics 03–04 04–05 05–06 06–07 07–08 consultation with the Board of Trustees of the Botanic Gardens Trust. The Inquiries in person 299 303 86 339 298 response from the Trust pointed out that events raise revenue to fund essential Inquiries by mail 1683 2008 1270 1114 1141 research done by the Trust’s scientists. Complaints from visitors about large Inquiries by telephone 289 558 776 870 678 groups of joggers acting aggressively and taking up pathways were handled Inquiries by internet 686 936 761 990 1309 by Trust rangers who were asked to monitor the behaviour and, when Requests for e-data 50 36 16 11 26 necessary, caution large groups of joggers if they acted aggressively or took Specimens identified 5919 4906 4765 4878 4370 over pathways. Rangers advised joggers to be polite and courteous to visitors to Revenue $24,158* $25,065* $22,086* $30,674* $20,400* the Gardens and allow them adequate space to enjoy their visit. *(ex GST) Feedback was also received from visitors about inscriptions on some plaques Provision of Information Services Consultancies less than $30,000 fading. The Trust is reviewing ways to Inquiries for Plant Identification There were nine consultancies less restore the plaques in a way that meets Eighty-eight per cent of inquiries were than $30,000, totalling (unaudited) historical and heritage requirements. answered within seven days (18 per cent $133,830. Visitor feedback about the noise of above target). Plant Disease Diagnostic Corporate Credit Card Use Unit (PDDU) levels exceeded 268. Most music events was passed on to event diagnoses were for detection of soil- Use of corporate credit cards was in organisers to ensure they were aware of borne pathogens, particularly those accordance with Treasury Directions. the impact of their events. species causing Phytophthora root Complaints about rubbish left at rot. PlantNET, including the NSW Flora Freedom of Information Woolloomooloo steps and other areas Online website, is the Trust’s online plant The Trust is committed to the principle were addressed immediately by organising information service. Launched in 2004– of transparency of decision making and for the rubbish to be removed. 05, patronage continues to grow. public access to its documents. Key documents are available to the public Homeless people at the Domain Car Gardens Shops and Visitor Centres through the Trust’s website. There were Park and in other areas of the Domain no FOI requests in full or part this year. The Trust operates four combined were advised by rangers that they visitor centre/shops at Mount Annan should seek shelter elsewhere e.g. crisis Consumer Response and Mount Tomah Gardens, the Royal accommodation. Over eight million people visit the Trust’s Botanic Gardens and the Sydney A request for additional motorcycle three Botanic Gardens and Domain each Tropical Centre. These services provide parking was addressed by outlining where year. Just over 50 visitors raised issues. information about Trust services and the existing spaces were: four spaces in The most frequently raised concerns were facilities, and sell a comprehensive range front of the Art Gallery and three spaces about the number of commercial events of botanical and horticultural books, at the top of Fleet Steps. The Trust also held in the Domain and the behaviour souvenirs and gifts. committed to review options. and impact of large groups of joggers. The Trust responded to letters of support Consultants Feedback was also received about for its flying-fox relocation plans by Consultancies equal to or more than rubbish at Woolloomooloo steps, explaining why the process of relocating $30,000 homeless people taking up residence in the flying-foxes is a lengthy one — and There was one consultancy totalling the Domain Car Park, noise from music thanking individuals for their support. n (unaudited) $179,176: Department events, requests for motorcycle parking, of Commerce Woolloomooloo Seawall and support for the Trust’s flying-fox Project. relocation.
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 57 Financial Statements
Independent Auditor’s Report
Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
To Members of the New South Wales Parliament
I have audited the accompanying financial report of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust (the Trust), which comprises the balance sheet as at 30 June 2008, the operating statement, statement of recognised income and expense, cash flow statement, program statement — expenses and revenues and a summary of compliance with financial directives for the year then ended, a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes.
Auditor’s Opinion In my opinion, the financial report:
• presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Trust as at 30 June 2008, and its financial performance and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations) • is in accordance with section 41B of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 (the PF&A Act) and the Public Finance and Audit Regulation 2005 My opinion should be read in conjunction with the rest of this report.
The Trustee’s Responsibility for the Financial Report The Trustees of the Trust are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the PF&A. This responsibility includes establishing and maintaining internal controls relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report that is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate accounting policies; and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances.
Auditor’s Responsibility My responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report based on my audit. I conducted my audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. These Auditing Standards require that I comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial report is free from material misstatement.
58 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial report. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal controls relevant to the Trust’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial report in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust’s internal controls. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the Trustees, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial report.
I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my audit opinion.
My opinion does not provide assurance:
• about the future viability of the Trust, • that it has carried out its activities effectively, efficiently and economically, • about the effectiveness of its internal controls, or • on the assumptions used in formulating the budget figures disclosed in the financial report. Independence In conducting this audit, the Audit Office of New South Wales has complied with the independence requirements of the Australian Auditing Standards and other relevant ethical requirements. The PF&A Act further promotes independence by:
• providing that only Parliament, and not the executive government, can remove an Auditor-General, and • mandating the Auditor-General as auditor of the public sector agencies but precluding the provision of non-audit services, thus ensuring the Auditor- General and the Audit Office of New South Wales are not compromised in their role by the possibility of losing clients or income.
Ron Hegarty, FCPA
Director, Financial Audit Services 10 October 2008 SYDNEY
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 59 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Statement by Members of the Trust
Pursuant to Section 41C(1C) of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, I state that:
a) the accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Public Finance and Audit Act, 1983, the Financial Reporting Code for Budget Dependent General Government Sector Agencies, the Public Finance and Audit Regulations 2005 (as applicable) and The Treasurer’s Directions;
b) the statements exhibit a true and fair view of the financial position and transactions of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust; and
c) there are no circumstances that would render any particulars included in the financial statements to be misleading or inaccurate.
Mr Greg Martin Chairperson Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Dr Katrina Fairley-Grenot Trustee Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Date 08/10/08
60 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Operating Statement for the Year Ended 30 June 2008
Notes Actual Budget Actual 2008 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000
Expenses excluding losses Operating expenses: Other operating expenses 2(a) 33,845 28,793 29,920 Depreciation 2(b) 4,390 4,200 4,166 Grants and subsidies 2(c) 54 70 85 Finance costs 2(d) 4 6 7 ———— ———— ———— Total Expenses excluding losses 38,293 33,069 34,178 ———— ———— ————
Less: Retained Revenue Sale of goods and services 3(a) 7,289 7,436 6,632 Investment revenue 3(b) 1,825 200 1,423 Retained taxes, fees and fines 3(c) 674 200 171 Grants and contributions 3(d) 2,573 3,362 1,881 Other revenue 3(e) 2,617 350 1,359 ———— ———— ———— Total Retained Revenue 14,978 11,548 11,466 ———— ———— ————
Gain/ (loss) on disposal of non- current assets 4 (284) 40 (6) ———— ———— ———— Net Cost of Services 20 23,599 21,481 22,718 ———— ———— ————————
Government Contributions: Recurrent appropriation 5 17,781 17,781 17,379 Capital appropriation 5 3,695 3,695 5,476 Acceptance by the Crown Entity of employee benefits and other liabilities 6 1,308 0 1,272 ———— ———— ———— Total Government Contributions 22,784 21,476 24,127 ———— ———— ———— SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR (815) (5) 1,409 ———— ———— ————————
[The accompanying notes form part of these statements]
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 61 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Statement of Recognised Income and Expense for the Year Ended 30 June 2008
Notes Actual Budget Actual 2008 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000
TOTAL INCOME AND EXPENSES RECOGNISED DIRECTLY IN EQUITY 0 0 0 ———— ———— ———— Surplus/(Deficit) for the Year 16 (815) (5) 1,409 ———— ———— ———— TOTAL INCOME AND EXPENSES RECOGNISED FOR THE YEAR (815) (5) 1,409 ———— ———— ———— Accumulated Funds (815) (5) 1,409 Reserves 0 0 0 ———— ———— ———— (815) (5) 1,409 ———— ———— ————
[The accompanying notes form part of these statements]
62 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2008
Notes Actual Budget Actual 2008 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents 8 5,687 3,148 3,177 Receivables 9 521 430 430 Inventories 10 315 349 349 ———— ———— ———— Total Current Assets 6,523 3,927 3,956 ———— ———— ———— Non-Current Assets Property, plant and equipment - Land and building 204,668 205,742 204,715 - Plant and equipment 3,690 2,722 3,255 - Infrastructure systems 37,396 37,796 38,295 - Collection assets 26,177 26,177 26,177 ———— ———— ———— Total Non-Current Assets 11 271,931 272,437 272,442 ———— ———— ———— Total Assets 278,454 276,364 276,398 ———— ———— ———— LIABILITIES Current Liabilities Payables 13 4,306 1,426 26 Borrowings 14 30 30 29 Provisions 15 1,762 1,743 1,743 ———— ———— ———— Total Current Liabilities 6,098 3,199 3,198 ———— ———— ———— Non Current Liabilities Borrowings 14 24 24 54 Provisions 15 19 18 18 ———— ———— ———— Total Non Current Liabilities 43 42 72 ———— ———— ———— Total Liabilities 6,141 3,241 3,270 ———— ———— ———— Net Assets 272,313 273,123 273,128 ———— ———— ———— EQUITY Reserves 122,880 122,997 122,997 Accumulated funds 149,433 150,126 150,131 ———— ———— ———— Total Equity 16 272,313 273,123 273,128 ———— ———— ————
[The accompanying notes form part of these statements]
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 63 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Cash Flow Statement for the Year ended 30 June 2008
Notes Actual Budget Actual 2008 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Payments Employee related 0 0 0 Grants and subsidies (54) (70) (85) Finance costs (4) (6) (7) Other (inc Personnel Services) (29,919) (26,810) (27,947) ———— ———— ———— Total Payments (29,977) (26,886) (28,039) ———— ———— ———— Receipts Sale of goods and services 7,118 7,436 8,088 Retained taxes, fees and fines 674 200 171 Interest received 1,825 200 243 Other 5,586 1,729 3,570 ———— ———— ———— Total Receipts 15,203 9,565 12,072 ———— ———— ———— Cash Flows from Government Recurrent appropriation 17,781 17,781 17,379 Capital appropriation 3,695 3,695 5,476 Cash reimbursements from the Crown Entity 0 0 0 ———— ———— ———— Net Cash Flow From Government 21,476 21,476 22,855 ———— ———— ———— NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 20 6,702 4,155 6,888 ———— ———— ———————— CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Proceeds of sale of land and buildings, plant and equipment and infrastructure systems 5 40 13 Purchases of land and buildings, plant and equipment (4,168) (4,195) (6,180) NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ———— ———— ———— ACTIVITIES (4,163) (4,155) (6,167) ———— ———— ———————— CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from borrowings and advances 0 0 0 Repayment of borrowings and advances (29) (29) (55) ———— ———— ———— NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES (29) (29) (55) ———— ———— ———————— NET INCREASE / (DECREASE) IN CASH 2,510 (29) 666 Opening cash and cash equivalents 3,177 3,177 2,511 ———— ———— ———— CLOSING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 8 5,687 3,148 3,177 ———— ———— ————————
[The accompanying notes form part of these statements]
64 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Program Statement — Expenses and Revenues for the Year ended 30 June 2008
Program 1 * Program 2 * Not Attributable ** Total 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 Expenses and Revenues Expenses excluding losses Operating expenses: - Other Operating expenses 8,601 6,973 25,244 22,947 0 0 33,845 29,920 Depreciation and amortisation 1,116 973 3,274 3,193 0 0 4,390 4,166 Grants and subsidies 13 29 41 56 0 0 54 85 Finance Costs 1 1 3 6 0 0 4 7 ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— Total Expenses excluding losses 9,730 7,976 28,563 26,202 0 0 38,293 34,178 ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ———
Retained Revenue Sale of goods and services 333 333 6,956 7,479 0 0 7,289 7,812 Investment income 32 153 1,793 90 0 0 1,825 243 Retained taxes, fees and fines 0 0 674 171 0 0 674 171 Grants and contributions 1,558 1,182 1,015 699 0 0 2,573 1,881 Other revenue 21 38 2,596 1,321 0 0 2,617 1,359 ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— Total Retained Revenue 1,944 1,706 13,034 9,760 0 0 14,978 11,466 ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ———
Gain / (Loss) on disposal of non current assets (36) 0 (248) 0 0 0 (284) (6) Other gains / (losses) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— Net Cost of Services 7,823 6,270 15,776 16,442 0 0 23,599 22,718 ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— Government Contributions** 0 0 0 0 22,784 24,127 22,784 24,127 ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— NET EXPENDITURE / (REVENUE) FOR THE YEAR 7,823 6,270 15,776 16,442 (22,784) (24,127) 815 (1,409) ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ———
* Programs/activities are described in Note 7. ** Appropriations are made on an agency basis and not to individual programs. Consequently, Government Contributions are included in the ‘Not Attributable’ column.
The Trust restructured its four Programs to two Programs in 2008
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 65 0 0 0 Fund 5,476 5,476 5,476 5,476 $’000 Net Claim on Consolidated Expenditure / Expenditure 0 0 5,540 5,540 5,540 $’000 Capital Appropriation Appropriation 2007 0 0 0 Fund $’000 17,379 17,379 17,379 17,379 Net Claim on Consolidated Expenditure / Expenditure 0 0 $’000 17,379 17,379 17,379 Recurrent Recurrent Appropriation Appropriation 0 0 0 Fund 3,695 3,695 3,695 3,695 $’000 Net Claim on Consolidated Expenditure / Expenditure 0 0 3,695 3,695 3,695 $’000 Capital Appropriation Appropriation 2008 0 0 0 Fund $’000 17,781 17,781 17,781 17,781 Net Claim on Consolidated Expenditure / Expenditure 0 0 $’000 17,781 17,781 17,781 Recurrent Recurrent Appropriation Appropriation Liability to Consolidated Fund Amount drawn down against Appropriation Total Appropriations / Appropriations Total / Net Claim on Expenditure Consolidated Fund (includes transfer payments) OTHER APPROPRIATION / OTHER APPROPRIATION EXPENDITURE Advance Treasurer’s Act s28 Appropriation ORIGINAL BUDGET / APPROPRIATION EXPENDITURE Act — Appropriation Notes to the Summary of Compliance with Financial Directives prescribed). otherwise identified or spent first (except where The Summary of Compliance is based on the assumption that Consolidated Fund moneys are Claim on Expenditure/Net and “Total between “Amount drawn down against Appropriation” The Liability to Consolidated Fund is calculated as the difference Consolidated Fund”. and Domain Trust Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Directives Summary of Compliance with Financial
66 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 June 2008
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (a) Reporting Entity The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust (the Trust), as a reporting entity, comprises all the entities under its control and is responsible for two programs as outlined in Note 7. The Trust is a NSW government Trust. The Trust is a not-for-profit entity (as profit is not its principal objective). The reporting entity is consolidated as part of the NSW Total State Sector Accounts. This financial report for the year ended 30 June 2008 has been authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on 08 October 2008.
(b) Basis of Preparation The Trust’s financial statements are a general purpose financial report which has been prepared in accordance with: * applicable Australian Accounting Standards (which include Australian Accounting Interpretations); * the requirements of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 and Regulation; * the Financial Reporting Directions published in the Financial Reporting Code for Budget Dependent General Government Sector Agencies or issued by the Treasurer. Property, plant and equipment, investment property, assets (or disposal groups) held for sale and financial assets at ‘fair value through profit or loss’ and available for sale are measured at fair value. Other financial report items are prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention. Judgements, key assumptions and estimations management has made are disclosed in the relevent notes to the financial report. All amounts are rounded to the nearest one thousand dollars and are expressed in Australian currency.
(c) Statement of Compliance The financial statements and notes comply with Australian Accounting Standards, which include Australian Accounting Interpretations.
(d) Administered Activities The Trust does not administer or control any activities on behalf of the Crown Entity. The accrual basis of accounting and applicable accounting standards have been adopted.
(e) Income Recognition Income is measured at the fair value of the consideration or contribution received or receivable. Additional comments regarding the accounting policies for the recognition of income are discussed below.
(i) Parliamentary appropriations and contributions Parliamentary appropriations and contributions from other bodies (including grants and donations) are generally recognised as income when the Trust obtains control over the assets comprising the appropriations / contributions. Control over appropriations and contributions is normally obtained upon the receipt of cash. Unspent appropriations are recognised as liabilities rather than revenue, as the authority to spend the money lapses and the unspent amount must be repaid to the Consolidated Fund. (ii) Sale of Goods Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised as revenue when the Trust transfers the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods. (iii) Rendering of Services Revenue is recognised when the service is provided or by reference to the stage of completion (based on labour hours incurred to date). (iv) Investment Income Interest revenue is recognised using the effective interest method as set out in AASB 139 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. Rental revenue is recognised in accordance with AASB 117 Leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 67 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 June 2008
(f) Employee Benefits and Other Liabilities (i) Salaries and Wages, Annual Leave, Sick Leave and On-Costs Liabilities for salaries and wages (including non-monetary benefits), annual leave and paid sick leave that fall due wholly within 12 months of the reporting date are recognised and measured in respect of employees’ services up to the reporting date at undiscounted amounts based on the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled. These amounts are payable to Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW. Long-term annual leave that is not expected to be taken within tweleve months is measured at present value in accordance with AASB 119 Employee Benefits. Market yields on government bonds are used to discount long-term annual leave. Unused non-vesting sick leave does not give rise to a liability as it is not considered probable that sick leave taken in the future will be greater than the benefits accrued in the future. The outstanding amounts for payroll tax, workers’ compensation insurance premiums and fringe benefits tax, which are consequential to employment, are recognised as liabilities and expenses where the employee benefits to which they relate have been recognised. (ii) Long Service Leave and Superannuation Long service leave is measured at present value in accordance with AASB 119 Employee Benefits. This is based on the application of certain factors (specified in NSWTC 07/04) to employees with five or more years of service, using current rates of pay. These factors were determined based on an actuarial review to approximate present value. The superannuation expense for the financial year is determined by using the formulae specified in the Treasurer’s Directions. The expense for certain superannuation schemes (i.e. Basic Benefit and First State Super) is calculated as a percentage of the employees’ salary. For other superannuation schemes (i.e. State Superannuation Scheme and State Authorities Superannuation Scheme), the expense is calculated as a multiple of the employees’ superannuation contributions. (iii) Other Provisions Other provisions exist when the entity has a present legal, or constructive obligation as a result of a past event; it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation; and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.
(g) Borrowing Costs Borrowing costs are recognised as expenses in the period in which they are incurred, in accordance with Treasury’s mandate to general government sector agencies.
(h) Insurance The Trust’s insurance activities are conducted through the NSW Treasury Managed Fund Scheme of self insurance for Government agencies. The expense (premium) is determined by the Fund Manager based on past claim experience.
(i) Accounting for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST, except where: • the amount of GST incurred by the Trust as a purchaser that is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of an asset or as part of an item of expense. • receivables and payables are stated with the amount of GST included. Cash flows are included in the cash flow statement on a gross basis. However, the GST components of cash flows arising from investment and financing activities which is recoverable from, or payable to, the Australian Taxation Office are classified as operating cash flows.
(j) Acquisition of Assets The cost method of accounting is used for the initial recording of all acquisitions of assets controlled by the Trust. Cost is the amount of cash or cash equivalents paid or the fair value of the other consideration given to acquire the asset at the time of its acquisition or construction or, where applicable, the amount attributed to that asset when initially recognised in accordance with the requirements of other Australian Accounting Standards.
68 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 June 2008
Assets acquired at no cost, or for nominal consideration, are initially recognised as assets and revenues at their fair value at the date of acquisition. Fair value is the amount for which an asset could be exchanged between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm’s length transaction. Where payment for an item is deferred beyond normal credit terms, its cost is the cash price equivalent, i.e. the deferred payment amount is effectively discounted at an asset-specific rate. Asset additions are held in Work in Progress pending reclassification to other asset categories.
(k) Capitalisation Thresholds Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets costing $5,000 and above individually (or forming part of a network costing more than $5,000) are capitalised.
(l) Revaluation of Property, Plant and Equipment Physical non-current assets are valued in accordance with the “Guidelines for the Valuation of Physical Non-Current Assets at Fair Value” (TPP 07-1). This policy adopts fair value in accordance with AASB 116 Property, Plant and Equipment and AASB 140 Investment Property. Property, plant and equipment is measured on an existing use basis, where there are no feasible alternative uses in the existing natural, legal, financial and socio-political environment. However, in the limited circumstances where there are feasible alternative uses, assets are valued at their highest and best use. Fair value of property, plant and equipment is determined based on the best available market evidence, including current market selling prices for the same or similar assets. Where there is no available market evidence, the asset’s fair value is measured at its market buying price, the best indicator of which is depreciated replacement cost. The Trust revalues each class of property, plant and equipment at least every five years or with sufficient regularity to ensure that the carrying amount of each asset in the class does not differ materially from its fair value at reporting date. The Trust’s non current assets including the Collection Assets were revalued in 2006. Non-specialised assets with short useful lives are measured at depreciated historical cost, as a surrogate for fair value When revaluing non-current assets by reference to current prices for assets newer than those being valued (adjusted to reflect the present condition of the assets), the gross amount and the related accumulated depreciation are separately restated. For other assets, any balance of accumulated depreciation at the revaluation date in respect of those assets are credited to the asset accounts to which they relate. The net asset accounts are then increased or decreased by the revaluation increments or decrements. Revaluation increments are credited directly to the asset revaluation reserve, except that, to the extent that an increment reverses a revaluation decrement in respect of that asset previously recognised as an expense in the surplus/deficit, the increment is recognised immediately as revenue in the surplus/deficit. Revaluation decrements are recognised immediately as expenses in the surplus/deficit, except that, to the extent that a credit balance exists in the asset revaluation reserve in respect to the same class of assets, the decrements are debited directly to the asset revaluation reserve. As a not-for-profit entity, revaluation increments and decrements are offset against one another within a class of non- current asset, but not otherwise. Where an asset that has previously been revalued is disposed of, any balance remaining in the asset revaluation reserve in respect of that asset is transferred to accumulated funds. Land, buildings, plant and equipment, and infrastructure were valued in 2006 by Preston Rowe Paterson Pty Ltd. The collection assets were valued in 2006 by RHAS Pty Ltd through the NSW Trust of Commerce Government Architect’s Office.
(m) Assets Not Able to be Reliably Measured The Trust holds certain assets that have not been recognised in the balance sheet because The Trust is unable to measure reliably the value for the assets. The Herbarium collection, which forms part of the Collection Assets has a nil balance recorded in the Trust’s asset register. Consideration of the changing scientific value of the specimens over time, the unique collection event (in time and space) associated with each specimen, and the irreversible changes to the original habitat of most collection localities results in the Herbarium collection not being capable of reliably valuation.
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 69 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 June 2008
(n) Impairment of Property, Plant and Equipment As a not-for-profit entity, the Trust is effectively exempted from AASB 136 Impairment of Assets and impairment testing. This is because AASB 136 modifies the recoverable amount test to the higher of fair value less costs to sell and depreciated replacement cost. This means that, for an asset already measured at fair value, impairment can only arise if selling costs are material. Selling costs are regarded as immaterial.
(o) Depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment Except for a limited number of heritage assets, depreciation is provided for on a straight line basis for all depreciable assets so as to write off the depreciable amount of each asset as it is consumed over its useful life to the Trust. All material separately identifiable components of assets are depreciated over their shorter useful lives. Land is not a depreciable asset. Certain heritage assets have an extremely long useful life, including original artworks and collections and heritage buildings. Depreciation for these items cannot be reliably measured because the useful life and the net amount to be recovered at the end of the useful life cannot be reliably measured. In these cases, depreciation is not recognised. The decision not to recognise depreciation for these assets is reviewed annually.
Depreciable assets are depreciated from the date of acquisition. Depreciation Rates % Rate Building 1.3% to 25% Infrastructure 1% to 10% Plant and equipment 10% to 25% Collection Assets have not been depreciated.
(p) Major Inspection Costs The labour cost of performing major inspections for faults is recognised in the carrying amount of an asset as a replacement of a part, if the recognition criteria are satisfied.
(q) Restoration Costs The estimated cost of dismantling and removing an asset and restoring the site is included in the cost of an asset, to the extent it is recognised as a liability.
(r) Maintenance The costs of day-to-day servicing costs or maintenance are charged as expenses as incurred, except where they relate to the replacement of a component of an asset, in which case the costs are capitalised and depreciated.
(s) Leased Assets A distinction is made between finance leases which effectively transfer from the lessor to the lessee substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to ownership of the leased assets, and operating leases under which the lessor effectively retains all such risks and benefits. The leasing transactions of the Trust are restricted to operating leases of office equipment, and motor vehicles. Operating lease payments are charged to the Operating Statement in the periods in which they are incurred.
(t) Loans and Receivables Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. These financial assets are recognised initially at fair value, usually based on the transaction cost or face value. Subsequent measurement is at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less an allowance for any impairment of receivables. Any changes are accounted for in the operating statement when impaired, derecognised or through the amortisation process. Short-term receivables with no stated interest rate are measured at the original invoice amount where the effect of discounting is immaterial.
70 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 June 2008
(u) Payables These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Trust and other amounts including interest. Payables are recognised initially at fair value, usually based on the transaction cost or face value. Subsequent measurement is at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Short-term payables with no stated interest rate are measured at the original invoice amount where the effect of discounting is immaterial.
(v) Budgeted Amounts The budgeted amounts are drawn from the budgets as formulated at the beginning of the financial year and with any adjustments for the effects of additional appropriations, s21A, s24 and / or s26 of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983.
The budgeted amounts in the Operating Statement and the Cash Flow Statement are generally based on the amounts disclosed in the NSW Budget Papers (as adjusted above). However, in the Balance sheet, the amounts vary from the Budget Papers, as the opening balances of the budgeted amounts are based on carried forward actual amounts i.e. per the audited financial statements (rather than carried forward estimates).
(w) Inventories Inventories held for distribution are stated at cost, adjusted when applicable, for any loss of service potential. A loss of service potential is identified and measured based on the existence of a current replacement cost that is lower than the carrying amount. Inventories (other than those held for distribution) are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is calculated using the weighted average cost. The cost of inventories acquired at no cost or for nominal consideration is the current replacement cost as at the date of acquisition. Current replacement cost is the cost the Trust would incur to acquire the asset. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.
(x) Comparative Information Except when an Australian Accounting Standard permits or requires otherwise, comparative information is disclosed in respect of the previous period for all amounts reported in the financial statements.
(y) Impairment of Financial Assets All financial assets, except those measured at fair value through profit and loss, are subject to an annual review for impairment. An allowance for impairment is established when there is objective evidence that the entity will not be able to collect all amounts due. For financial assets carried at amortised cost, the amount of the allowance is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the effective interest rate. The amount of the impairment loss is recognised in the operating statement. When an available for sale financial asset is impaired, the amount of the cumulative loss is removed from equity and recognised in the operating statement, based on the difference between the acquisition cost (net of any principal repayment and amortisation) and current fair value, less any impairment loss previously recognised in the operating statement. Any reversals of impairment losses are reversed through the operating statement, where there is objective evidence, except reversals of impairment losses on an investment in an equity instrument classified as “available for sale” must be made through the reserve. Reversals of impairment losses of financial assets carried at amortised cost cannot result in a carrying amount that exceeds what the carrying amount would have been had there not been an impairment loss.
(z) New Australian Accounting Standards issued but not effective The following new accounting Standards have not been applied and are not yet effective: AASB 101 Presentation of Financial statements AASB 123 Borrowing Costs AASB 1004 Contributions The Trusts considers that the application of the standards when effective will not have a material impact on the financial statements.
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 71 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 June 2008
2. EXPENSES EXCLUDING LOSSES 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 (a) Other operating expenses Personnel Services 21,025 19,524 Audit Remuneration 112 79 Bad Debts 45 10 Operating Leases 260 273 Insurance 287 169 Advertising 148 107 Consultants 313 264 Legal fees 239 125 Purchase of Plant and equipment under $5,000 356 274 Plant and equipment hire 206 156 Cost of Goods Sold 813 841 Stores and Provisions 918 957 Maintenance 2,445 2,930 Energy 356 349 Contractors 912 474 Telephone and Communication 243 270 Cleaning and Waste collection 886 875 Books, printing and publications 241 232 Travel 199 169 Motor Vehicle 242 208 Rates 166 240 Security 569 489 Other 2,864 905 ———— ———— 33,845 29,920 ———— ———————— Personnel Service expenses are acquired from the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW and the cost comprises: Salaries and Wages 17,068 15,732 Superannuation Entitlements 1,492 1,353 Long Service Leave 906 880 Workers Compensation Insurance 435 380 Payroll and Fringe Benefits Tax 1,124 1,179 ———— ———— 21,025 19,524 ———— ———— As a result of the Public Sector Employment Legislation Amendment Act 2006 and Treasury Circular TC06-13 Employee related expenses are included in Personnel Services in Other operating expenses see note 2 (a).
Maintenance Reconciliation: Maintenance expense, as above 2,445 2,930 Maintenance related personnel services included in Note 2(a) 919 1,248 ———— ———— Total maintenance expenses included in Note 2(a) 3,364 4,178 ———— ————
72 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 June 2008 for the Year ended 30 June 2008
2008 2007 2. EXPENSES EXCLUDING LOSSES (b Depreciation expense $’000 $’000 2008 2007 Buildings 1,923 1,821 $’000 $’000 Infrastructure 1,615 1,568 (a) Other operating expenses Plant and Equipment 852 777 Personnel Services 21,025 19,524 ———— ———— Audit Remuneration 112 79 4,390 4,166 Bad Debts 45 10 ———— ———————— Operating Leases 260 273 Insurance 287 169 Advertising 148 107 (c) Grants and Subsidies Consultants 313 264 NSW Public Sector Agencies 54 83 Legal fees 239 125 Federal Government Agencies 0 0 Purchase of Plant and equipment under $5,000 356 274 Other 0 2 Plant and equipment hire 206 156 ———— ———— Cost of Goods Sold 813 841 54 83 Stores and Provisions 918 957 ———— ———————— Maintenance 2,445 2,930 Energy 356 349 Contractors 912 474 (d) Finance Costs Telephone and Communication 243 270 Interest Paid on Treasury loan 4 7 Cleaning and Waste collection 886 875 ———— ———— Books, printing and publications 241 232 4 7 Travel 199 169 ———— ———————— Motor Vehicle 242 208 Rates 166 240 Security 569 489 3. REVENUES Other 2,864 905 ———— ———— 33,845 29,920 (a) Sales of goods and services ———— ———————— Gross sales through the shops 1,838 1,962 Personnel Service expenses are acquired from the Department of Environment Publications 4 9 and Climate Change NSW and the cost comprises: Fees received 4,998 4,173 Salaries and Wages 17,068 15,732 Admissions 446 486 Superannuation Entitlements 1,492 1,353 Other 3 2 Long Service Leave 906 880 ———— ———— Workers Compensation Insurance 435 380 7,289 6,632 ———— ———————— Payroll and Fringe Benefits Tax 1,124 1,179 ———— ———— 21,025 19,524 Rental Income has been reclassified as Rents in Investment revenue in 2008 ———— ———— As a result of the Public Sector Employment Legislation Amendment Act 2006 (b) Investment revenue and Treasury Circular TC06-13 Employee related expenses are included in Personnel Services in Other operating expenses see note 2 (a). Interest 259 243 Rents 1,566 1,180 ———— ———— Maintenance Reconciliation: 1,825 1,423 Maintenance expense, as above 2,445 2,930 ———— ———————— Maintenance related personnel services included in Note 2(a) 919 1,248 (c) Retained taxes, fees and fines ———— ———— Total maintenance expenses included in Note 2(a) 3,364 4,178 Parking infringement 674 171 ———— ———— ———— ———— 674 171 ———— ————————
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 73 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 June 2008
(d) Grants and contributions 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 Grants and Donations 1,666 1,245 Research Grants 907 636 ———— ———— 2,573 1,881 ———— ————————
Research grants are applied to those areas of scientific endeavour sponsored by the grantor.
(e) Other Revenue Insurance recoveries 122 997 Cost recoveries and other non user charges 2,462 362 Bad Debts Recovered 33 0 ———— ———— 2,617 1,359 ———— ———————— 4. GAIN / (LOSS) ON DISPOSAL
Proceeds from the sale of assets 5 13 Written down value of assets disposed (289) (19) ———— ———— Gain / (Loss) on Disposal of assets (284) (6) ———— ———————— 5. APPROPRIATIONS Recurrent appropriations Recurrent draw-downs from NSW Treasury (per Summary of Compliance) 17,781 17,379 Less: Liability to Consolidated Fund (per Summary of Compliance) 0 0 ———— ———— 17,781 17,379 ———— ———————— Comprising: Recurrent appropriations (per Operating Statement) 17,781 17,379 ———— ———— 17,781 17,379 ———— ———————— Capital appropriations Total capital draw-downs from NSW Treasury (per Summary of Compliance) 3,695 5,476 Less: Liability to Consolidated Fund (per Summary of Compliance) 0 0 ———— ———— 3,695 5,476 ———— ———— Comprising: Capital appropriations (per Operating Statement) 3,695 5,476 ———— ———— 3,695 5,476 ———— ————————
74 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 June 2008 for the Year ended 30 June 2008
(d) Grants and contributions 2008 2007 6. ACCEPTANCE BY THE CROWN ENTITY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND OTHER $’000 $’000 LIABILITIES Grants and Donations 1,666 1,245 The following liabilities and / or expenses have been assumed by the Crown Entity: Research Grants 907 636 2008 2007 ———— ———— $’000 $’000 2,573 1,881 Superannuation 389 389 ———— ———————— Long service leave 890 858 Payroll tax 29 25 Research grants are applied to those areas of scientific endeavour sponsored by the grantor. ———— ———— 1,308 1,272 (e) Other Revenue ———— ———————— Insurance recoveries 122 997 Cost recoveries and other non user charges 2,462 362 7. PROGRAMS / ACTIVITIES OF THE TRUST Bad Debts Recovered 33 0 Program 1 — Science and Public Programs ———— ———— Objective: To investigate the systematics, ecology, horticulture and pathology of plants 2,617 1,359 and related organisms and disseminate the results and to promote community ———— ———— ———— ———— awareness and knowledge of plants, plant conservation and the importance of 4. GAIN / (LOSS) ON DISPOSAL plants in the nature work through on-site and off-site programs. Program 2 — Botanic Gardens and Parks Proceeds from the sale of assets 5 13 Objective: To manage and develop garden sites to accommodate multiple uses Written down value of assets disposed (289) (19) including recreation, relaxation, celebrations, education, the promotion of ———— ———— conservation and the engagement of the community. Gain / (Loss) on Disposal of assets (284) (6) The Trust restructured its four Programs to two Programs in 2008 ———— ———————— 5. APPROPRIATIONS 8. CURRENT ASSETS — CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENT Recurrent appropriations 2008 2007 Recurrent draw-downs from NSW Treasury $’000 $’000 (per Summary of Compliance) 17,781 17,379 Less: Liability to Consolidated Fund Cash at Bank 1,052 315 (per Summary of Compliance) 0 0 Petty Cash 11 11 ———— ———— At call deposits 4,624 2,851 17,781 17,379 ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— 5,687 3,177 Comprising: ———— ———————— Recurrent appropriations (per Operating Statement) 17,781 17,379 For the purposes of the Cash Flow Statement, cash and cash equivalents include cash ———— ———— at bank, cash on hand, and at call deposits. 17,781 17,379 Cash and cash equivalent assets recognised in the Balance Sheet are reconciled at the ———— ———————— end of the financial year to the Cash Flow Statement as follows: Capital appropriations Total capital draw-downs from NSW Treasury Cash and cash equivalents (per Balance Sheet) 5,687 3,177 (per Summary of Compliance) 3,695 5,476 Less: Liability to Consolidated Fund Closing cash and cash equivalents ———— ———— (per Summary of Compliance) 0 0 (per Cash Flow Statement) 5,687 3,177 ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— 3,695 5,476 ———— ———— Comprising: Capital appropriations (per Operating Statement) 3,695 5,476 ———— ———— 3,695 5,476 ———— ————————
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 75 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 June 2008
9. CURRENT ASSETS — RECEIVABLES 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 Debtors 496 325 GST Receivable from the Australian Taxation Office 71 135 Prepayments 58 56 Accrued Income 0 0 ———— ———— 625 516 Less: Allowance for impairment (104) (86) ———— ———— 521 430 ———— ———————— Movement in the allowance for impairment Balance as at 1 July 86 121 Amounts written off during the year (3) (45) Amounts recovered during the year (23) 0 Increase/(decrease) in allowance recognised in profit or loss 44 10 ———— ———— Balance at 30 June 104 86 ———— ————————
10. CURRENT ASSETS - INVENTORIES Held for distribution 315 349 ———— ———— 315 349 ———— ————————
11. NON-CURRENT ASSETS — PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land and Plant and Infra Collection Total Building Equipment -structure Assets $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000
At 1 July 2007— fair value Gross carrying amount 206,536 4,039 39,904 26,177 276,656 Accumulated Depreciation and impairment (1,821) (784) (1,609) 0 (4,214) ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— Net Carrying Amount 204,715 3,255 38,295 26,177 272,442 ———————— ——— ————— ——— ————— ——— ————— ——— ————— At 30 June 2008 — fair value Gross carrying amount 208,384 5,322 40,620 26,177 280,503 Accumulated Depreciation and impairment (3,716) (1,632) (3,224) 0 (8,572) ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— Net Carrying Amount 204,668 3,690 37,396 26,177 271,931 ———————— ——— ————— ——— ————— ——— ————— ——— —————
76 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 June 2008
Reconciliations A reconciliation of the carrying amount of each class of property, plant and equipment at the beginning and end of the current reporting period is set out below. Land and Plant and Infra Collection Total Building Equipment -structure Assets $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 Year ended 30 June 2008 Carrying amount at start of year 204,715 3,255 38,295 26,177 272,442 Additions 3,125 327 716 4,168 Disposals (278) (11) (289) Reclassification (971) 971 0 Depreciation expense (1,923) (852) (1,615) 0 (4,390) ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— Carrying amount at end of year 204,668 3,690 37,396 26,177 271,931 ———————— ——— ————— ——— ————— ——— ————— ——— —————
Land and Plant and Infra Collection Total Building Equipment -structure Assets $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 At 1 July 2006 — fair value Gross carrying amount 202,038 3,547 38,736 26,177 270,498 Accumulated Depreciation and impairment 0 (11) (40) 0 (51) ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— Net Carrying Amount 202,038 3,536 38,696 26,177 270,447 ———————— ——— ————— ——— ————— ——— ————— ——— ————— At 30 June 2007 — fair value Gross carrying amount 206,536 4,039 39,904 26,177 276,656 Accumulated Depreciation and impairment (1,821) (784) (1,609) 0 (4,214) ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— Net Carrying Amount 204,715 3,255 38,295 26,177 272,442 ———————— ——— ————— ——— ————— ——— ————— ——— ————— Reconciliations A reconciliation of the carrying amount of each class of property, plant and equipment at the beginning and end of the previous reporting period is set out below.
Land and Plant and Infra Collection Total Building Equipment -structure Assets $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 Year ended 30 June 2007 Carrying amount at start of year 202,038 3,536 38,696 26,177 270,447 Additions 4,499 514 1,167 0 6,180 Disposals (1) (18) 0 0 (19) Depreciation expense (1,821) (777) (1,568) 0 (4,166)) ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— Carrying amount at end of year 204,715 3,255 38,295 26,177 272,442) ———— ———— ———— ———— ————
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 77 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 June 2008
12. RESTRICTED ASSETS 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 Cosh Bequest 397 378 Swane Bequest 95 103 Webster Bequest 103 97 Rathborne Bequest 103 0 Research 527 560 ———— ———— 1,225 1,138 ——— ————— ——— —————
These contributions are held in investments and are applied in accordance with the conditions on each contribution. The Cosh Bequest is for the purpose of the National Herbarium of NSW. The Swane Bequest is for the purpose of botany, horticulture, research, education, expeditions, statues, fountains and buildings at Mount Annan Botanic Garden. The Webster Bequest is to be used for the National Herbarium of NSW. The Rathbourne Bequest is to be used on the relocation of the glasshouses into the Rathbourne Lodge grounds. Research grants are applied to those areas of scientific endeavour sponsored by the grantors.
13. CURRENT LIABILITIES — PAYABLES 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 Creditors 3,440 762 Accrued salaries, wages and on-costs 167 324 Unearned revenue 699 340 ———— ———— 4,306 1,426 ——— ————— ——— ————— 14. CURRENT / NON CURRENT LIABILITIES — BORROWINGS Secured/Unsecured ———— ———— Treasury advances repayable 54 83 ——— ————— ——— ————— The Trust received a Crown advance of $135,981 in 2005 under an Energy Performance Contract to install energy efficient products. This loan is repayable over a period of five years. Details regarding the maturity analysis of the above borrowings, are disclosed in Note 21.
15. CURRENT / NON CURRENT LIABILITIES — PROVISIONS Employee benefits and related on-costs Recreation leave 1,319 1,322 Provision for Long Service Leave 207 195 Payroll Tax on employee benefits 255 244 ———— ———— 1,781 1,761 ——— ————— ——— ————— Aggregate employee benefits and on-costs Provision - current 1,762 1,743 Provision - non current 19 18 ———— ———— 1,781 1,761 ——— ————— ——— ————— As a result of the Public Sector Employment Legislation Amendment Act 2006 the Provisions for Employee benefits and on-costs are payable to the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW.
78 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 June 2008
16. CHANGES IN EQUITY Accumulated Funds Asset Revaluation Total Equity 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 $000 $000 $000 $000 $000 $000 Balance at the beginning of the financial year 150,131 148,713 122,997 123,006 273,128 271,719 Changes in accounting policy 0 0 0 0 0 0 Correction of errors 0 0 0 0 0 0 ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— Restated opening balance 150,131 148,713 122,997 123,006 273,128 271,719 ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— Changes in equity-transactions with owners as owners 0 0 0 0 0 0 ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— Total 150,131 148,713 122,997 123,006 273,128 271,719 ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— Changes in equity-other than transactions with owners as owners 0 0 0 0 0 0 Surplus / (deficit) for the year (815) 1,409 0 0 (815) 1,409 ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— Total (815) 1,409 0 0 (815) 1,409 ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— Transfers within equity Asset revaluation reserve balance transferred to accumulated funds on disposal of assets. 117 9 (117) (9) 0 0 ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— Balance at the end of the financial year 149,433 150,131 122,880 122,997 272,313 273,128 ———— ———— ———— ———— ———— ————
Asset Revaluation Reserve The asset revaluation reserve is used to record increments and decrements on the revaluation of non-current assets. This accords with the agency’s policy on the ‘Revaluation of Property, Plant and Equipment’ and ‘Investments’, as discussed in Note 1.
17. COMMITMENTS FOR EXPENDITURE (a) Capital Commitments 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 Aggregate capital expenditure for the acquisition of goods contracted for at balance date and not provided for: — Not later than one year 0 2,745 ———— ———— Total (including GST) 0 2,745 ——— ————— ——— —————
(b) Operating Lease Commitments 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 Future non-cancellable operating lease rentals not provided for and payable: — Not later than one year 179 114 — Later than one year, and not later than five years 178 71 — Later than five years 0 0 ———— ———— Total (including GST) 357 185 ——— ————— ——— —————
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 79 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 June 2008
The total commitments above includes input tax credits of $32,526 (2006-2007 $266,000) that are expected to be recoverable from the ATO.
18. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND CONTINGENT ASSETS The Trust is not aware of any contingent liabilities and / or contingent assets associated with its operations.
19. BUDGET REVIEW Net cost of services The Net Cost of Services of $23.6 million is $2.1 million more than the budget of $21.5 million. This is mainly due to Crown Entity revenue budget but not actuals of $1.3 million being included in the Treasury Net Cost of Services, increased Personnel Services of $0.5 million, and disposal of non-current assets of $0.3 million. Assets and liabilities Total Assets is $2.1 million higher than budget generally from increased cash balances. The increase in cash balances is offset by an increase in payables balances of $2.9 million over budget. Cash flows Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities is $2.5 million higher than budget. This is due to a general increase in other operating expenses of $3.1 million and an increase in receipts of $5.6 million
20. RECONCILIATION OF CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO NET COST OF SERVICES 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 Net cash used on operating activities 6,702 6,888 Cash Flows from Government / Appropriations (21,476) (22,855) Acceptance by the Crown Entity of employee benefits and other liabilities (1,308) (1,272) Depreciation (4,390) (4,166) Allowance for impairment (18) 35 Decrease / (increase) in provisions (20) 9 Increase / (decrease) in prepayments and other assets 109 (593) Decrease / (increase) in creditors (2,521) (715) Decrease / (increase) in income received in advance (359) (20) Increase / (decrease) in inventory (34) (23) Net gain / (loss) on sale of plant and equipment (284) (6) ———— ———— Net cost of services (23,599) (22,718) ——— ————— ——— ————— 21. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The Trust’s principal financial instruments are outlined below. These financial instruments arise directly from the Trust’s operations or are required to finance the Trust’s operations. The Trust does not enter into or trade financial instruments, including derivative financial instruments, for speculative purposes. The Trust’s main risks arising from financial instruments are outlined below, together with the Trust’s objectives, policies and processes for measuring and managing risk. Further quantitative and qualitative disclosures are included throughout this financial report. The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of risk management and reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks. Risk management policies are established to identify and analyse the risks faced by the Trust, to set risk limits and controls and to monitor risks. Compliance with policies is reviewed by the Finance and Audit Committee on a continuous basis.
80 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 June 2008
(a) Financial instrument categories Financial Assets Note Category Carrying Amount Carrying Amount 2008 2007 Class: Cash and cash equivilant 8 N/A 5,687 3,177 Receivables (1.) 9 Receivables (at amortised cost) 392 239
Financial Liabilities Note Category Carrying Amount Carrying Amount 2008 2008 Class: Payables (2.) 13 Financial liabilities measured 3,607 1,086 at amortised cost Borrowings 14 Financial liabilities measured 54 83 at amortised cost Notes 1. Excludes statutory receivables and prepayments (i.e. not within scope of AASB 7). 2. Excludes statutory payables and unearned revenue (i.e. not within scope of AASB 7).
(b) Credit Risk Credit risk arises when there is the possibility of the Trust’s debtors defaulting on their contractual obligations, resulting in a financial loss to the Trust. The maximum exposure to credit risk is generally represented by the carrying amount of the financial assets (net of any allowance for impairment). Credit risk arises from the financial assets of the Trust, including cash, receivables, and authority deposits. No collateral is held by the Trust. The Trust has not granted any financial guarantees. Credit risk associated with the Trust’s financial assets, other than receivables, is managed through the selection of counterparties and establishment of minimum credit rating standards. Authority deposits held with NSW TCorp are guaranteed by the State. Cash Cash comprises cash on hand and bank balances with Westpac Banking Corporation and TCorp. Interest is earned on daily bank balances at the monthly average NSW Treasury Corporation (TCorp) 11am unofficial cash rate, adjusted for a management fee to NSW Treasury. Accounts Receivable — Trade Debtors All trade debtors are recognised as amounts receivable at balance date. Collectibility of trade debtors is reviewed on an ongoing basis. Procedures as established in the Treasurer’s Directions are followed to recover outstanding amounts, including letters of demand. Debts which are known to be uncollectible are written off. An allowance for impairment is raised when there is objective evidence that the entity will not be able to collect all amounts due. This evidence includes past experience, and current and expected changes in economic conditions and debtor credit ratings. No interest is earned on trade debtors. Authority Deposits The Trust has placed funds on deposit with TCorp, which has been rated “AAA” by Standard and Poor’s. These deposits are similar to money market or bank deposits and can be placed “at call” or for a fixed term. For fixed term deposits, the interest rate payable by TCorp is negotiated initially and is fixed for the term of the deposit, while the interest rate payable on at call deposits can vary. None of these assets are past due or impaired.
2008 2008 2007 2007 Carrying Amount Net Fair Value Carrying Amount Net Fair Value $000 $000 $000 $000 At call 4,624 4,624 2,851 2,851 Less than one year 0 0 0 0 One to five years 0 0 0 0 Greater than five years 0 0 0 0 ———— ———— ———— ———— Total 4,624 4,624 2,851 2,851 ———— ———— ———— ————
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 81 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 June 2008
The deposits at balance date were earning an average interest rate of 7.2%,while over the year the weighted average interest rate was 6.76%.
(c) Liqudity Risk Liquidity risk is the risk that the Trust will be unable to meet its payment obligations when they fall due. The Trust continuously manages risk through monitoring future cash flows and maturities planning to ensure adequate holding of high quality liquid assets. The objective is to maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of overdrafts, loans and other advances. During the current and prior years, there were no defaults or breaches on any loans payable. No assets have been pledged as collateral. The Trust’s exposure to liquidity risk is deemed insignificant based on prior periods’ data and current assessment of risk. The liabilities are recognised for amounts due to be paid in the future for goods or services received, whether or not invoiced. Amounts owing to suppliers (which are unsecured) are settled in accordance with the policy set out in Treasurer’s Direction 219.01. If trade terms are not specified, payment is made no later than the end of the month following the month in which an invoice or a statement is received. Treasurer’s Direction 219.01 allows the Minister to award interest for late payment. Maturity analysis and interest rate exposure of financial liabilities
Weighted Average Nominal Fixed Rate < 1yr 1-5 yrs >5yrs effective Int. Rate Amount 2008 NSW Treasury advance 5.445% 54 5.445% 30 24 0 2007 NSW Treasury advance 5.445% 83 5.445% 29 54 0
The Trust received an advance of $135,981 (2004-05) at a rate of 5.445% from the New South Wales Treasury. Interest was calculated based on the 10 year bond rate applicable at the drawdown date.
(d) Market Risk Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. The Trust’s exposures to market risk are primarily through interest rate risk on the Trust’s deposits with TCorp. The Trust has no exposure to foreign currency risk and does not enter into commodity contracts. The effect on profit and equity due to a reasonably possible change in risk variable is outlined in the information below, for interest rate risk and other price risk. A reasonably possible change in risk variable has been determined after taking into account the economic environment in which the Trust operates and the time frame for the assessment (i.e. until the end of the next annual reporting period). The sensitivity analysis is based on risk exposures in existence at the balance sheet date. The analysis is performed on the same basis for 2007. The analysis assumes that all other variables remain constant. Interest Rate risk Exposure to interest rate risk arises primarily through the Trust’s interest bearing liabilities. This risk is minimised by undertaking mainly fixed rate borrowings, primarily with NSW TCorp. The Trust does not account for any fixed rate financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss or as available-for-sale. Therefore, for these financial instruments, a change in interest rates would not affect profit or loss or equity. A reasonably possible change of +/- 1% is used, consistent with current trends in interest rates. The basis will be reviewed annually and amended where there is a structural change in the level of interest rate volatility. TheTrust’s exposure to interest rate risk is set out below.
82 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 June 2008
$000 $000 -1% +1% Carrying Amount Profit Equity Profit Equity
2008 Financial Assets Cash 4,624 (46) (46) 46 46
2007 Financial Assets Cash 2,851 (29) (29) 29 29
22. AFTER BALANCE DATE EVENTS There are no events subsequent to balance date which affect the financial report.
(END OF AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS)
BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008 83 Index
Access directory back cover
Account payment performance 56
Aims and objectives of Trust 9
Annual report costs inside back cover
Charter and legislation 9
Chair and Executive Director’s report 5
Committees representation 13
Community support 37
Consultants costs 57
Consumer response 57
Corporate credit card statement 57
Corporate governance 11
Disability access 23
Environmental management report 43
Financial statements 58
Financial support 40
Freedom of information 57
Grant funding 50
Human resource information 55
Legislative changes 11
Occupational health and safety 55
Organisation structure 10
Overseas travel by staff 52
Provision of information services 57
Publications 51
Risk management 11
Statement of compliance 3
Statement of responsibility 13
Trust committees 13
Trustees 12
Trust Executive 14
Volunteers 39
84 BOTANIC GARDENS TRUST 2007– 2008