2020–2040 Master Plan Plan Master Gardens Melbourne Gardens

Gardens Victoria Gardens Royal Botanic Botanic Royal

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Melbourne Gardens – Master Plan 2020–2040 Title Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Melbourne Gardens Master Plan 2020 – 2040

July 2020 – June 2040

Publication Date July 2020

Cover Image View across the Melbourne Gardens and Ornamental Lake to the CBD

Publisher Royal Botanic Gardens Board Victoria © Royal Botanic Gardens Board Victoria 2020

No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968

ISBN 978-0-9587408-9-0

Citation This document should be cited as: Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, 2020, Melbourne Gardens Master Plan 2020-2040, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, its Government relations, public consultation Board, Executive and staff acknowledge processes and the final Master Plan the Traditional Owners of Melbourne were guided and supported by key Gardens, the peoples of the staff in the Engagement and Impact and pay our deepest respects to their team: Robin Penty, Executive Director Elders past, present and future. We are Engagement and Impact; Alice Molan, grateful and extend our thanks to the Head Development Marketing and Aboriginal Custodians who met with Communications and Maraika van Gardens staff over many months to Wessem Communications and Media contribute ideas and provide input to Lead. The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria the preparation of all documentation Executive Team, other senior leaders in support of the Melbourne Gardens and many staff also contributed and Master Plan 2020-2040. supported the development of the Master Plan. Special thanks to Peter Symes, We sincerely thank all previous and Curator Horticulture, for his significant current members of the Royal Botanic work on landscape succession, water Gardens Board Victoria for their direction, management and living collections; Mark support, insightful contributions, and Crosher, Manager Infrastructure and strategic oversight and stewardship Facilities for assistance with the landscape throughout the four-year development of sensitivity guidelines; and the entire the Master Plan. Melbourne Gardens team for providing The Melbourne Gardens Master Plan feedback throughout the project. Sincere 2020-2040 is the result of the work and thanks are also due to Cheryl Kong of support of many people, both within and Singapore National Parks, who had outside Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria the unenviable task of collating our (RBGV). The report was prepared in preliminary consultation. response to the Royal Botanic Gardens The project was further supported by Victoria Corporate Plan 2014-2019 under an External Reference Panel: Professor the direction of Tim Entwisle, Director and Rob Adams AM, RBGV Board member Chief Executive Royal Botanic Gardens (2016-2018) and Director City Design and Victoria and the core design team of Projects ; Professor Tim Chris Cole, Executive Director Melbourne Entwisle, Director and Chief Executive Gardens, Andrew Laidlaw, Senior Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria; Cathy Landscape Architect and Andrea Proctor, Kiss, Senior Open Space Planner City Landscape Architect. of Melbourne; Professor Virginia Lee, Major contributions were provided Professor of Landscape Architecture The through the conceptual architectural ; and Associate design work of Kerstin Thompson Professor John Rayner, Director of Urban Architects in their Nature and Science Horticulture The University of Melbourne. Precinct Conceptual Master Plan and the We sincerely thank the Panel for their valuable heritage guidance from Context many hours of insight and guidance. Pty Ltd. We acknowledge and thank the contributors from these studios.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 i FOREWORD Preparing a new Master Plan for what climate challenge, threatening natural and Delivered in stages, the Nature and many believe is one of the world’s great garden landscapes alike. Science Precinct will highlight the three botanic gardens is an exciting and unique dimensions of a world-leading Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is a important task. There is an obligation botanic garden: nature, culture and scientific organisation and embedded to preserve and protect the elegance science. The Precinct will be an exciting within the landscape are collections of of the original design, new collection of built form, landscape supporting conservation, discovery and a timely need to celebrate the and interpretive elements, reaching from and learning. The living collections stories of a place with deep history and the existing Works Yard, past Oak Lawn evolve with the changing needs of our Aboriginal heritage extending millennia to the art deco 1934 Herbarium building community and the constraints of climate. beyond its 174 years as a botanic garden. and beyond to the National Heritage Held within Melbourne Gardens is the In an increasingly urbanised society Listed , restoring National Herbarium of Victoria, home experiencing significant climate change, it for contemporary use. Key to this to the irreplaceable State Botanical our botanic gardens must also seek development is a new Herbarium building. Collection with its 1.5 million preserved new, thoughtful and creative ways to This program will safeguard and protect plant specimens dating back to the strengthen our connection with nature the growing State Botanical Collection— 1600s and painstakingly collected from and history. Most critically at this time, the ark for Victoria’s flora—from pest, across the globe. The combined living there is an urgent need to safeguard disease, fire and flood in a purpose-built and preserved plant collections underpin Victoria’s future by protecting its State vault deep beneath the ground. It will Victoria’s response to urgent issues Botanical Collection with the construction inspire ever-increasing numbers of visitors in climate change, biosecurity, natural of a new National Herbarium of Victoria, and Victorians with the plant knowledge, resource management and Victoria’s and to use that opportunity to unlock collections, programs and stories of RBGV, therapeutic, agrifood and fibre economy. those collections for scientific research and share the vivid cultural stories of and to deepen our community’s This Master Plan is more than plants Traditional Owners at Melbourne Gardens connection with nature. and landscapes. It is about protecting as the gateway for nature in Melbourne. an important State asset and shaping a The Melbourne Gardens landscape must Through the Nature and Science Precinct, future for one of the most beautiful and continue to change and evolve, and has the Gardens will collaborate with its important botanic gardens in the world. long provided a green sanctuary and neighbours and like-minded organisations botanical resource for Melbourne. The Nature and Science Precinct: in partnerships that support learning, community living around Melbourne The living heart of our city biodiversity knowledge, and horticultural Gardens continues to grow, with the In this new Master Plan, we build on and scientific research excellence. One of population in Greater Melbourne forecast Melbourne’s premier green space to stake the country’s richest botanical libraries to double to 8 million by 2040. In close out a vision for Melbourne Gardens and and treasures of the Collection will be proximity to the Melbourne Gardens, for Melbourne itself. The premier project is on public display for the very first time. a major new transport hub, the Anzac the Nature and Science Precinct which will New learning and exhibition spaces will Station is currently under construction. join the Arts and Culture, and Sports and inspire visitors and deepen engagement This will enable more people to access the Entertainment precincts as Melbourne’s with nature for all ages. Currently being gardens. At the same time, we must adapt third major destination by the . restored by dedicated volunteers from our botanic gardens to an unprecedented the Astronomical Society of Victoria in

Nature Play in the Gardens

ii collaboration with , the developed as part of the previous Master As we emerge from the impacts of return of the Great Melbourne Plan. Due to extraordinary support devastating bushfires and the worldwide to its original home in the Melbourne from a donor, a new Arid Garden will COVID-19 pandemic, there has never Observatory will be another major project be complete in 2020 and form part of been a more important time to value and of heritage significance. the larger Arid and Drylands Precinct, protect Melbourne Gardens for future showcasing and interpreting the valuable generations. They are, and will continue The Precinct will address a number of Fields cacti and succulent collection. to be, the inspiration and lungs of our city, other RBGV’s key strategic objectives, and a major international attraction for such as increasing visitation and Huntingfield Lawn will be gently re- the State of Victoria. participation—particularly children, contoured to establish a venue for small families, younger people, older Australians scale theatrical performances, as have We welcome you to embrace and support and marginalised communities—and been presented at Melbourne Gardens this vision. establishing the Gardens as a leader in for decades. A new City Gate with an biodiversity conservation, learning and arid planting theme will be created at climate resilience. the Temple of the Winds, reflecting Guilfoyle’s original vision and providing Landscape design highlights visitors with views across Melbourne Chris Trotman An exciting project is the proposed to the Dandenong Ranges. Finally, the Chair, 2020 new entrance gate to the Yarra. This is northern slopes of Hopetoun Lawn are to Royal Botanic Gardens Board Victoria to be created between A Gate and H be developed into a Wild Wood, a natural Gate, punctuating the Gardens’ long bush kindergarten providing families with northern border and creating a direct a natural, unstructured play space rarely connection to the City of Melbourne’s found in cities. boat landing. Following consultation with the Traditional Owners, this new This is an urgent yet beautiful plan, one entrance will be known as Birrarung Gate, to preserve irreplaceable specimens Ken Harrison AM and will explore indigenous landscape and usher in a major renewal of our Chair, 2013 - 2020 and plantings in all its forms, creating much loved and world renowned Royal Royal Botanic Gardens Board Victoria strong connections to Long Island and Botanic Gardens at Melbourne Gardens. vistas over the Ornamental Lake. Another As for all master plans, we anticipate exciting project is a terraced garden with future readers will use this Plan as a a focus on health and wellbeing which will guide, noting specifics may evolve as be created inside A Gate. The terrace will new information emerges. However, the Professor Tim Entwisle blur the edges between the Tan Track and impact and ambition of the Melbourne Director and Chief Executive the Gardens, providing a new meeting Gardens Master Plan will remain Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria place with shaded seating and expansive unchanged, responding as it does to views across the landscape. sound community consultation processes and forecast need, future modelling, and One of the driest and hottest parts of gathering evidence for climate impact of Melbourne Gardens is its south-east unprecedented magnitude. Chris Cole corner, home to Guilfoyle’s Volcano Executive Director Melbourne Gardens

School group enjoying Princes Lawn

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 iii TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements i

Foreword ii

Terminology and Naming 1

1. Executive Summary 2

2. Background and Context 6 2.1. Purpose of the Master Plan 7 2.2. Scope of the Master Plan 9 2.3. Report Structure 9 2.4. Master Plan Consultation Process 10 2.5. Guiding Principles 12

3. Site History 14 3.1. Aboriginal Heritage 15 3.2. Development of Botanic and Public Gardens 17 3.3. European Settlement of Melbourne 18 3.4. Gardens 18 3.5. History of Melbourne Observatory 26 3.6. History of the National Herbarium of Victoria 28

4. Melbourne Gardens Today 30 4.1. Gardens Surrounds 31 4.2. Reaching Melbourne Gardens 32 4.3. Visitation 34 4.4. Landscape Character 35 4.5. Climate and Soils 47 4.6. Fauna 48 4.7. Organisational Overview 49 4.8. Statutory Context 50 4.9. Documents and Policies 53

iv 5. Development Guidelines 58 5.1. Heritage 59 5.2. Landscape 63 5.3. People 75 5.4. Science, Horticulture and Environment 87

6. Future Developments 92 6.1. Nature and Science Precinct 93 6.2. Birrarung Gate 100 6.3. Terrace Gardens 102 6.4. Arid and Drylands Precinct 104 6.5. Huntingfield Lawn Amphitheatre 106 6.6. Lakeside Conservatory 108 6.7. Sensory Garden 109 6.8. Wild Wood 110 6.9. Creative Seating 111 6.10. Herb and Medicinal Garden 111 6.11. Nymphaea Lily Lake 112 6.12. Entrances 112 6.13. Ornamental Bridges 113 6.14. The Islands 113 6.15. Rest Houses and Follies 114 6.16. Picturesque Rockeries and Ruins 114

7. Implementation and Priorities 116 7.1. Considering New Proposals 117 7.2. Review 118 7.3. Priorities 118

8. References 126 8.1. Internal References 127 8.2. External References 128 8.3. Plan and Images 129 8.4 Index 131

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 v TABLE OF PLANS

Executive Summary Melbourne Gardens Master Plan 2020-2040 4

Site History Melbourne Gardens 1855 19 William Guilfoyle: Botanic Gardens 1909 22

Melbourne Gardens Today Plan of the Melbourne Gardens 2020 32 Melbourne Gardens Transport and Access 2020 33 Original Course of Birrarung 55

Development Guidelines Landscape Character 62 Built Form and Learning and Participation 65 Lake System and Environment 68 Storage and Vehicle Movement 71 Landscape Sensitivity 77 Reaching and Navigating the Site 81 Accessibility 84 Planting Character 89

Future Developments Nature and Science Precinct 94 Nature and Science Precinct: Herbarium Landscaping 95 Nature and Scienct Precinct: Melbourne Observatory Landscaping 98 Birrarung Gate 100 Terrace Gardens 102 Arid and Drylands Precinct 104 Huntingfield Lawn Amphitheatre 106 Summary Melbourne Gardens Master Plan 2020-2040 115

vi TERMINOLOGY AND NAMING Board: Refers to the Royal Botanic Melbourne Observatory: Refers to the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria or RBGV: Gardens Board Victoria, the body that has parcel of land to the Gardens’ south- the whole organisation including the ultimate accountability under the Royal west which is under the authority and sites at Melbourne and Cranbourne, the Botanic Gardens Act 1991. management of Royal Botanic Gardens National Herbarium of Victoria and the Victoria. Also referred to as ‘the State Botanical Collection. Botanic Gardens or Royal Botanic Gardens Observatory’. Melbourne: Historical terms for the site. State Botanical Collection: Refers to the National Herbarium of Victoria: Refers to scientific collection of preserved plants, Cranbourne Gardens: Refers to the the building on the corner of Birdwood algae and fungi under the stewardship Cranbourne land under the management Avenue and Drive, home to and management of Royal Botanic of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria the State Botanical Collection in 2020. Gardens Victoria and held within the including the remnant bushland and National Herbarium of Victoria including Australian Garden. Nature and Science Precinct: A new the specimen collection, library, archive/s precinct bringing together nature, culture DELWP: Department of Environment, and botanical art collections. and science at Melbourne’s green heart Land, Water and Planning, the responsible (the area including Domain Parklands, The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s State Government Department Government House, The Shrine of Garden: Also referred to as ‘the Children’s Director and Chief Executive: the person Remembrance, Sidney Music Bowl Garden’. The garden for children located responsible for the day-to-day control and Melbourne Gardens). The Precinct between Melbourne Observatory and the and management of all parts of the encompasses Melbourne Observatory, rest of the Melbourne Gardens, on land organisation under the Royal Botanic The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s once part of the Domain Parklands (City Gardens Act 1991. Garden, National Herbarium of Victoria of Melbourne). and the Works Yard (Centre for Gardens Melbourne Gardens: Refers to the South Traditional Owners: Refers to the Leadership) and will be further developed Yarra land under management of Royal Boonwurrung and peoples in consultation with the State Government Botanic Gardens Victoria. Includes of the Kulin Nation. The organisations and neighbouring land managers. the National Herbarium of Victoria, that represent the Traditional Owner Original Botanic Gardens, The Ian Potter Original Botanic Gardens: The parcel of interests at Melbourne Gardens are Boon Foundation Children’s Garden and the land east of Dallas Brooks Drive that was Wurrung Foundation, Bunurong Land Melbourne Observatory site. Also referred the extent of the Royal Botanic Gardens Council Aboriginal Corporation (BLCAC), to as ‘the Gardens’ or simply ‘Royal Melbourne land holdings prior to 1992. and Woi-wurrung Cultural Botanic Gardens’. Heritage Aboriginal Corporation. RBGV acknowledges and collaborates with all the Traditional Owners.

The Ornamental Lake, once a rich hunting ground called Tromgin by the Aboriginal people

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 1 1 Executive Summary Oak Lawn

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria’s Melbourne Gardens is widely admired as a living work of art and one of the world’s most beautiful botanic gardens. Picturesque vistas across lakes and sweeping lawns are punctuated with magnificent specimen trees and intricately detailed garden beds, providing a cool oasis and iconic setting in the green heart of Melbourne. Yet this is not only a place of respite for locals and international visitors. It is home to the National Herbarium of Victoria (holding the internationally important State Botanical Collection) as well as a living collection of over 8,000 plant species. The interconnected science, horticulture and learning programs at Melbourne Gardens all contribute to the health of the community and natural environment.

For millennia, the site was an important its sites, deliver upon its scientific mission, of the $252 million State Botanical meeting place by the Yarra River for develop and improve the landscape Collection. The Board also identified a the Traditional Owners and peoples of character, and protect the Gardens from major risk if the RBGV fails to engage the Kulin Nation, and Aboriginal history detrimental change. Melbourne is a rapidly the public with the mission, vision, continues to inform the understanding growing city in a changing world, and programs and values of the organisation. of the site today. Since 1846, the Gardens Melbourne Gardens must respond to Addressing these key risks with the aim have been Melbourne’s sanctuary and this. The Master Plan has been developed of transforming RBGV for social and playground, and a home in the city against a backdrop of a changing climate, scientific impact underpins the plans for sciences including (plant increased recognition of Aboriginal for the Nature and Science Precinct, the sciences), astronomy, meteorology and heritage values, construction of the new Master Plan’s premier project. timekeeping. The Gardens have been Anzac Station, the City of Melbourne’s a central witness to the city’s changing Domain Parklands Master Plan 2019- NATURE AND SCIENCE history, society and character, a site for 2039, and the evolving role we play in the PRECINCT major cultural events and a place for broader life and wellbeing of the city. The Nature and Science Precinct is in individual memories and rich experiences. Critically, the Master Plan also responds part designed to transform the Gardens’ As a special place, the Gardens is deeply meaningfully to the goals of key Victorian arrival experience and its connection ingrained in the psyche of Victorians and Government policies and plans, in to the City of Melbourne. The Precinct is a key part of Melbourne’s reputation particular the Victorian Visitor Economy includes a sensitively designed below- as one of the world’s most liveable and Strategy (2016) and Protecting Victoria’s ground herbarium and vaults, the green cities. Environment: Biodiversity 2037, as well re-modelling of the historic 1934 building FUTURE READY as the City of Melbourne’s Resilient City and a welcoming public space along the Strategy 2026. current Dallas Brooks Drive alignment. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria’s With strong connections to the rest aspirations are to build on this legacy, In developing this Plan, RBGV has of Melbourne Gardens, Melbourne maintaining the heritage Gardens, while responded to a risk identified as Observatory and The Ian Potter enabling the organisation to deepen ‘Extreme’ by the Board, the urgent need Foundation Children’s Garden, it will community engagement with nature and to safeguard the irreplaceable treasures become the Gardens’ ‘destination meeting

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 3 MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020-2040

Revitalise A Gate to focus on health and wellbeing with connection to the Tan, strong planting displays and a new Learning and Participation and Visitor Services space Create a gently contoured natural Lakeside Conservatory where people can amphitheatre for small performances work, rest and play immersed in an incredible and passive recreational use Yarra plant experience, whatever the weather River

Domain Major new entrance connecting to Parklands the Yarra River and showcasing the Huntingfield Lawn Amphitheatre indigenous landscape in all its forms

Temple of the Winds North Gate (H) City Yarra Gate Alexandra Avenue River Establish a new nature play experience and bush kinder Relocated Birrarung Lakeview Gate Rest House Restore the Melbourne Observatory Terrace to public open space defined by Long Terrace Gate (A) lawns and low garden beds Island Gardens Wild Wood Convert the current Visitor Centre into the Learning Ornamental and Participation Centre Lake Hopetoun Lawn

Service marina for Lakeside maintenance and tenants Conservatory Gardens storage and Anderson Street option for shared Perennial East operations Border Gate Eastern (B) Lodge Nature and The Ian Potter Science Precinct Foundation Fern Children's National Gully Eastern Garden Main Herbarium Lawn Gate of Victoria Shrine Oak of Lawn Guilfoyle Arid Remembrance Gate Mueller Garden Gate (F) (C) Works Yard Birdwood Guilfoyle's Expand The Ian Potter Volcano Foundation Children's Garden Avenue Domain Parklands Provide a new home for the State Domain Botanical Collection and create a major Reconfigure the works yard South Road Gate (D) new Gardens' entrance and principal to better service the RBGV

Gate (E) 0 metres 100 visitor engagement spaces N Create a new Herb and Medicinal Garden Rework Ellis Stones Rockery to support the picturesque landscape Create a Sensory Garden with Create a new Arid and Drylands a focus on access for all Precinct connecting North America Drylands Collection, Arid Garden Guilfoyle's Volcano and Eucalypt lawn

4 point’. The Precinct will include Oak MAJOR LANDSCAPE All the projects mentioned respond to Lawn and extend to a Centre for Gardens PROJECTS a direct need, and in some cases have Leadership at the existing Works Yard. been identified in previous Master Plans. Over the last 20 years, Royal Botanic However, this 20-year plan provides the The National Herbarium of Victoria Gardens Victoria has led many new opportunity to consider more global on Birdwood Avenue is a focal point landscape projects including The Ian options for the future. One of these for the Precinct. Housed within the Potter Foundation Children’s Garden, longer-term opportunities is a new Herbarium is the State Botanical Guilfoyle’s Volcano, Long Island Lakeside Conservatory on the current site Collection of over 1.5 million preserved Redevelopment and Working Wetlands, of the Terrace Tearooms. As a ‘habitat specimens of plants, fungi and algae, all carefully guided by previous Master for humans’, this indoor pleasure garden the Victorian Conservation Seedbank, Plans. The next 20 years provides the could burst with plants, where people rare and threatened species types and opportunity to continue this work. A come at all times of the year to work, rest, specimens dating back to the 1600s. highlight will be a new gate to be created play, socialise and meet in a landscape All are invaluable to the conservation, between A Gate and H Gate, providing environment that provides an intrinsic and botany, biosecurity, pharmaceutical and an entrance along the Gardens’ long profound connection to nature. Sitting agriculture industries of Victoria. The northern border, resulting in a direct sensitively in the landscape as a grand folly, Collection cannot be replaced if lost. connection to the upgraded boat landing this structure would become a major new A new, state-of-the-art National on the Yarra River. This entrance, to be landmark and destination in Melbourne. Herbarium is to be constructed known as Birrarung Gate, will explore The Master Plan’s suite of new projects underground addressing the critical issues indigenous landscape and plantings with is complemented by a series of smaller arising from a lack of space and grossly strong connections to Long Island, vistas scale projects including garden bed inadequate conservation conditions in over the Ornamental Lake and a new renovations, infrastructure restorations the current building. The new Herbarium arrival point to the Gardens. Meanwhile and conservation work. These include the will be sensitively constructed around the the area at A Gate, the Gardens’ second new Sensory Garden, Herb and Medicinal original 1934 building. most used entrance, will be redeveloped into a terraced garden with a focus Garden, triangle beds, reworking of the Building upon its success, The Ian Potter on health and wellbeing and a rich, Ellis Stones Rockery, rejuvenation of Foundation Children’s Garden will be contemporary design. the islands and picturesque rockeries, broadened as part of the Precinct, with and replacement of the bridges with links to new learning and exhibition Huntingfield Lawn, a finger of land ornamental structures. Creating more spaces established in the current Visitor between the northern border of appropriate landscape settings for the Centre and restaurant building. The land Government House and Alexandra historic lodges, follies and Gardens’ around the Melbourne Observatory and Avenue, has long been underused. Barely entrances will also be implemented. current car park is to be returned to public recognised as part of the Gardens by the open space, with paths, garden beds general public, this area is to be gently DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES and lawns connecting it to the Domain re-contoured to create a new venue for The Master Plan is not limited to Parklands. This provides an appropriate small-scale theatrical performances, landscape projects. Guided by the aim to setting for the return of the Great programming and other visitor be fully accessible and socially inclusive, Melbourne Telescope and other restored experiences. Following the ridge line from it also addresses the day-to-day use works at the western edge of the Precinct. Huntingfield Lawn, Hopetoun Lawn is to of the Gardens, improving comfort for be developed into a Wild Wood, a natural There is also a need for staff to transition everyone who uses them. It also supports bush kindergarten area to provide families other values of the Gardens, providing from the existing retrofitted buildings and with a natural, unstructured play space other inadequate office space, to spaces guidance on the protection of the rarely found in cities. This development picturesque landscape, improvement of that encourage greater collaboration, will relieve pressure on The Ian Potter innovation and productivity. A Whole- the living collections and supporting the Foundation Children’s Garden, which Gardens’ role as an urban green space of-Precinct blueprint, including a receives thousands of visitors each year. Accommodation Review Master Plan, will and wildlife refuge. For visitors and staff, be prepared to give clear guidance about A primary influence on the Master Plan the movement of maintenance and the requirements and principles that will has been the Gardens’ need to respond to service vehicles around the site is to be underpin and drive a unified precinct and climate change, a process guided by the improved, together with reconsideration stronger sense of place. influential Landscape Succession Strategy of materials storage. for Melbourne Gardens. The driest and As a vibrant visitor experience, the Nature This Master Plan provides an agreed hottest part of the Gardens is its south- vision for Melbourne Gardens, guiding and Science Precinct will be an exciting east corner, home to Guilfoyle’s Volcano, new addition to Melbourne. It will attract its development over the next 20 the Arid Garden and other dry climate years and enabling a continuation new partners and investment to the collections. This area is to be developed Gardens. Expansive and international in of the RBGV’s long and responsible into an Arid and Drylands Precinct with stewardship of the site. scope and scale, it aligns with Melbourne’s the rejuvenation of the Arid Garden, other significant precinct plans. which will showcase the valuable Fields cacti and succulent collection.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 5 2 Background and Context The Melbourne Gardens have been a cherished place of sanctuary and play for generations of visitors

Established in 1846, developed under the Directorship of eminent botanist Ferdinand Mueller and designed and overseen by renowned landscape designer and Director William Guilfoyle between 1873 and 1909, the Gardens were planned as a single Garden to support and nurture the collection and presentation of over 8,000 species of plants from around the world. The stunning design means the Gardens can now support the scientific and social research of the organisation while also providing a much-loved refuge for the over 2 million people who visit the Gardens each year1.

2.1 positive changes including Guilfoyle’s Plan, climate change and the increasing Volcano, the Long Island redevelopment, importance of green space in a growing PURPOSE OF THE MASTER Working Wetlands, and the Fern Gully city. To respond to these challenges, a PLAN Restoration among other improvements new Master Plan will guide Melbourne to the landscape. In their entirety, these Gardens through the next 20 years From its establishment in 1846 until 1997 plans provided direction for landscape (2020-2040)—identifying and conserving the design, layout and development of projects only. what is important, while responding to a Melbourne Gardens was overseen by a new set of pressures and capitalising on succession of Directors, and since 1991 Today Melbourne Gardens is presented opportunities as they arise. governed by the Royal Botanic Gardens with a new series of challenges and Board Victoria. By the late 1990s, it was opportunities to those of the 1997 recognised that a more formal approach and 2008 Plans. The Consolidated to change was needed. As a result, the Engagement and Impact Strategy first Master Plan was produced in 1997. 2017-2020 speaks to the organisation’s This document highlighted the need refreshed plans to offer more innovative to conserve and enhance what was and integrative nature-based programs important about the Gardens, while and experiences, with a more focused allowing it to respond to the changing invitation to international visitors, conditions of the 21st century. The customers and local communities. Other 1997 Master Plan and its subsequent drivers include increased recognition document, the 2008 Master Plan Review, of Aboriginal heritage values, the new achieved their aims, directing many Anzac Station, Domain Parklands Master

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 7 EXTERNAL RBGV REFERENCE RIEF B MANAGERS PANEL

NEIGHBOURING RBGV LAND DELWP VOLUNTEERS REGULATORY MANAGERS BODIES LISTENING PHASE EXTERNAL 15 WORKSHOPS RBGV RBG BOARD REFERENCE 7 MEETINGS MELBOURNE VICTORIA INDUSTRY PANEL 2 LISTENING POSTS FRIENDS STAKEHOLDERS MELBOURNE RBGV PUBLIC GARDENS’ STAFF TENANTS RESEARCH SITE ANALYSIS, HISTORY, RBGV DOCUMENTS, LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK, NATIONAL AND WORLD CONTEXT, PROJECT SPECIFIC RESEARCH

MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT 34 DESIGN MEETINGS 8 PRESENTATIONS DELWP NEIGHBOURING CITY OF MELBOURNE LAND DESIGN MANAGERS RBG BOARD VICTORIA EXTERNAL PRESENT REFERENCE PANEL HERITAGE VICTORIA RBGV REVIEW STAFF

NEIGHBOURING RBGV LAND DELWP VOLUNTEERS MANAGERS STAKEHOLDER RBGV REGULATORY CONSULTATION ON DRAFT RBG BOARD MELBOURNE BODIES 12 MEETINGS VICTORIA 23 PRESENTATIONS FRIENDS

EXTERNAL MELBOURNE RBGV REFERENCE GARDENS’ STAFF PANEL TENANTS

PUBLIC CONSULTATION PUBLIC ON DRAFT 5 PRESENTATIONS 2 SITE TOURS INDUSTRY 2 LISTENING POSTS STAKEHOLDERS

MASTER PLAN REVISION

RBG BOARD VICTORIA APPROVAL

FINAL MASTER PLAN

Development of the Melbourne Gardens Master Plan 2020-2040

8 Aboriginal Cultural Walks teach visitors about the land’s rich history and thriving culture

2.2 of Victoria and The Ian Potter Foundation 2.3 Children’s Garden. SCOPE OF THE MASTER REPORT STRUCTURE The Master Plan also considers the Gardens’ PLAN interface with neighbouring land managers The Master Plan for Melbourne Gardens The Master Plan provides an agreed and to expand and improve the presence of is structured across two volumes: the comprehensive approach to guide the the Gardens beyond the historic fence line. main report and a volume of supporting development of Melbourne Gardens over Implementation of these projects provides documentation. the next 20 years. It is a planning tool opportunities for RBGV to strengthen its The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria that focuses on the physical landscape partnerships with industry, businesses, Melbourne Gardens Master Plan 2020- of Melbourne Gardens, and guides the cultural institutions and neighbouring land 2040 is the main report: a self-contained major physical changes required to managers, and support the work of the strategic document that details the achieve the vision of RBGV. It is not a City of Melbourne as it implements its own direction and priorities for the future. whole-of-organisation document and Domain Parklands Master Plan 2019–39 and This will be a working document used in does not address management issues Resilient Melbourne Strategy. day-to-day operations at the Gardens and except where they relate specifically to While the Master Plan aims to be shared within the industry. landscape and infrastructure. comprehensive, occasionally new The second volume of the report, The Master Plan is intended to be a opportunities, or constraints may arise that titled Melbourne Gardens Master working document that provides agreed were not anticipated within its 20-year Plan 2020-2040: Supporting Material solutions to problems and opportunities timeframe. In such cases, new proposals contains appendices and background identified during inquiry and consultation would need to be considered within the documentation for the Master Plan. between 2016 and 2019. The Master Plan context of the Master Plan and Royal This document provides additional provides design resolution at a schematic Botanic Gardens Victoria’s corporate and reference material for Gardens’ staff level only, with further consultation, strategic plans. It is entirely conceivable only, if and as required. design and research required in order to that new projects may emerge which sit implement each of the recommendations. comfortably within the organisation’s remit or some suggested developments The primary area of land to be addressed may evolve in new ways. These projects by the Master Plan is the footprint of will be developed in consultation with the living landscapes within Melbourne stakeholders and the community. Gardens, which includes the Melbourne Observatory site, the National Herbarium

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 9 Tour of the Melbourne Gardens for Design Week 2019

2.4 collaborative process is illustrated on page Observatory and improve its landscape 8, with key themes outlined below. and setting MASTER PLAN Continued excellence in horticultural and CONSULTATION PROCESS 2.4.1 Round One Consultation: arboricultural maintenance standards The Master Plan was instigated by Listening Phase Continued focus on plantings, with the Board and developed by Royal Consultation to support the development specific mention of existing and potential Botanic Gardens Victoria staff and of the Master Plan occurred with staff, collections overseen by the Board and an External key stakeholders and the public between Reference Panel, chosen to provide July and September 2016. This work An expanding interest in food plants and a range of expertise (as noted in the was conducted as a broad and open food security Acknowledgements). These groups consultation process, with a focus on what The need to improve Gardens’ entrances, guided the development of the Master people loved about Melbourne Gardens, including providing grander entrance Plan and were consulted throughout the what needed improvement, and what new statements project. elements they would like to see included. Providing exciting and appealing new The Master Plan is a collaborative Areas of interest differed slightly among built elements document, involving an extensive the general public, staff and stakeholders, consultation process and developed but the following common themes A desire for more interactive spaces for closely with stakeholders. Three formal emerged in 2016: children and adults consultation phases were conducted A desire to improve integration of the across the three years, with additional A deep love and appreciation of Gardens landscape with neighbouring collaboration throughout the project from Melbourne Gardens as a public place and sites such as the Domain Parklands and the Board, Executive Team, RBGV staff a beautiful garden in the city and key policy stakeholders such as the A need to preserve the rich Aboriginal Department of Environment, Land, Water The need to make use of the prominent and natural heritage and Planning (DELWP), City of Melbourne city location to the Gardens’ advantage and Heritage Victoria. The outcome A need to preserve the iconic William The need to improve public transport of those consultations has informed Guilfoyle landscape, and the vistas and accessibility to the Gardens all Master Plan proposals and was sanctuary it offers particularly important in the development of the Nature and Science Precinct. This A desire to preserve the Melbourne

10 The need for effective wayfinding and 2.4.3 Support for the Master Plan was design considerations, in particular for the Round Two Consultation: External overwhelmingly positive from those elderly and people with limited mobility Stakeholder Presentations on who attended the listening posts, Draft Master Plan presentations and tours. Feedback A desire to develop and promote received through the website focused active collaborations with educational Stakeholder Consultation on the Draft on three main issues: plans for the institutions and the broader community. Master Plan occurred from September 2018 to April 2019, commencing Melbourne Observatory, the proposed This feedback provided an important with presentations to key external retirement of the Species Rose Collection insight into what people valued and stakeholders. Due to the extensive and a permanent home for the Botanical wanted preserved in Melbourne Gardens, collaboration already undertaken, Illustrators. The last of these issues was as well as areas for improvement, feedback was largely positive. Some an accommodation matter, and therefore collaboration, redesign and transformation. changes were required to sections of outside the scope of the Master Plan. The the Development Guidelines following decision to retire the Species Roses was a 2.4.2 technical feedback from RBGV staff. This concern for Living Collections rather than Early Draft Master Plan particularly related to the storage and the Master Plan, however after reviewing The Master Plan was developed working movement of green waste on site and the the submissions received the decision closely with the Board, Executive Team, management of the treatment wetlands. was made to maintain an ornamental rose RBGV Staff, Heritage Victoria, and the collection focusing on heat and disease City of Melbourne through its Domain Specific queries were also raised by some tolerant taxa. Parklands Master Plan. Other important groups regarding plans for the Melbourne There was considerable misunderstanding stakeholders such as Traditional Owners, Observatory site, which were addressed by around the objectives of the Master DELWP, and Government House were also direct discussions and meetings with the Plan proposals concerning the engaged on proposals, especially for the individual parties or organisations. By the Melbourne Observatory, despite several Nature and Science Precinct. The first half conclusion of this phase, the Draft Master presentations. This led to extensive of the Master Plan process was focused Plan had received the in-principle approval feedback being received, primarily on determining the scope and location of and support of all important stakeholders, expressing concerns about matters the new Herbarium. Focus then shifted including Traditional Owner groups, the outside the scope of the Master Plan and/ to the Development Guidelines, and Victorian Government through the DELWP, or for proposals which were not intended finally the remaining Master Plan projects. and Heritage Victoria, the Australian to occur. Most of the key concerns raised Preliminary proposals were presented to Heritage Council, City of Melbourne, and were able to be addressed through staff in May and June 2018, with feedback Government House. a series of direct meetings and by incorporated into the Draft Melbourne 2.4.4 clarifying sections of the Master Plan Gardens Master Plan. Round Three: General Public with stakeholders. The Astronomical Consultation Society of Victoria, for example, was The Draft Master Plan was released for invited to present their vision for the site public comment for one month in March directly to the RBGV Board. By the end and April 2019. During this period, the of the consultation period, support was document was available on the RBGV received from the vast majority of key website as a Summary Document with stakeholders, including many whom had plans and images and the complete initially expressed concern. Master Plan as a text document. This With the completion of three cycles of was supported by a display in the Visitor consultation, the Draft Master Plan was Centre, two Listening Posts and two site presented to the RBGV Board in June tours. During this period the website 2019, receiving its approval. The final received over 1,700 unique views, with the Master Plan is the result of final input from RBGV receiving 212 public submissions DELWP and the Board, RBGV editorial and 24 direct submissions by stakeholders input and graphic design. and interested individuals.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 11 The Gardens are cared for by a dedicated team of Horticulturists

2.5 For people knowledge created through scientific ɳ Our Gardens exist to support the wellbeing endeavour. Melbourne Gardens provides GUIDING PRINCIPLES of all people a living laboratory for researchers in In developing the new Master Plan, all Our Gardens are for people. They are many disciplines, and an opportunity for recommendations support the core accessible and welcoming to everybody, children and visitors of all ages to engage values of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, providing a place of sanctuary against vibrantly and easily with our work as a its vision, mission and purpose. To assist the backdrop of an expanding global scientific institution. with this, the following guiding design city. The Gardens offer opportunities for For the environment principles were developed for the Master diverse experiences such as discovery, ɳ Our Gardens are a valuable urban green Plan, identifying the underpinning learning, quiet reflection, celebration and space that allows us to demonstrate principles most critical to shape the inspiration, alongside providing essential leading approaches to conservation, biodiversity and urban habitat design vision for the future at Melbourne physical and emotional connection with Gardens. The design principles align with nature. Social benefit and engagement is Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria the organisation’s purpose to safeguard integral to all that we do. We recognise recognises the critical importance of plants and plant knowledge for the our distinctive role as a place that has environmental stewardship, and the wellbeing of people and the planet, as been cherished by successive generations interconnectedness of all our actions on well as its future impact on conservation of local, regional and international visitors, the planet. The responsibility to care for action, special places, social inclusion and and offers unique programs and events our Gardens extends beyond minimising scientific impact. for communities to thrive and connect. inputs—we work to have a net positive benefit on the environment. Our Gardens For science and discovery are a valuable green space, providing tree ɳ Our Gardens are living landscapes that contribute to scientific innovation and canopy, cool air, refuge and green lungs educational excellence for the expanding city. Through best practice, we improve habitat for all living The living landscapes and collections things, and collaborate with the City of within the Gardens support the Melbourne and other organisations to community’s investment in scientific support environmental research in the innovation and plant knowledge, State of Victoria. providing a vehicle for botanical and wider research. Our landscape management, public engagement and design processes are informed by contemporary science and the

12 The landscape of the Melbourne Gardens is multi-layered, from its importance to the Aboriginal people through to Guilfoyle and Mueller’s legacies to today

For horticultural stewardship For beauty For future generations ɳ Providing outstanding care for living ɳ Supporting what is important in our ɳ Conserving and celebrating all aspects of landscapes Gardens through good design Aboriginal and other cultural heritage A love of plants and a sense of pride are We view good design, and the sense The Gardens’ history is deeply embedded reflected in the landscape maintenance of beauty and wellbeing it inspires, in the living landscape. Our heritage is standards and horticultural curation at as integral to our role as stewards of multi-layered, built by a succession of land Melbourne Gardens. Our living collections Melbourne Gardens. Guilfoyle’s original managers starting with the Boonwurrung are curated to represent a diverse array design, with its picturesque style and and Woiwurrung peoples of the Kulin of plants from around the world, and sweeping views is an extraordinary Nation. The now-iconic botanic landscape, carefully managed to inspire and educate legacy which continues to inspire. We use established by Ferdinand Mueller and visitors on the important role plants creative and adaptive design as a means transformed by William Guilfoyle, makes play in all our lives. We are responsible of showcasing plants and facilitating our Gardens unique and the history of custodians for these collections, public engagement. Our design work is scientific and cultural endeavour at the embracing our role as an industry leader innovative and responsive, a reflection Gardens and Melbourne Observatory in landscape curation and management. of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria’s provides an ongoing legacy. However, Living collections evolve continuously, contemporary role as custodians of a the Gardens’ culture and heritage is a responding to environmental pressures cherished public landscape. living thing, where the past is valued and and remaining contemporary and relevant conserved while at the same time change For excellence in planning and design. is embraced, in order to demonstrate ɳ Being aspirational in our goals as a world leader in botanic gardens design and social, aesthetic and scientific value for all management visitors of all ages. We strive for excellence in all that we do from world-leading landscape care and management through to creative programming and audience development. We share and collaborate with others, including regional, national and international botanic gardens, health, science, education and cultural partners, to establish strong relationships that inform and support our work and others.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 13 3 Site History Melbourne Gardens looking over the Yarra to Richmond Hill, 1863 Image courtesy of State Library of Victoria Botanical Gardens by Francois Cogne

The following chapter outlines the history and development of Melbourne Gardens, including the National Herbarium of Victoria and Melbourne Observatory. This history draws on a number of sources, in particular the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne Master Plan (1997), the Context Pty Ltd Conservation Management Plan (2018), Aboriginal Heritage Values (2018), Pamela Jellie’s Chronological Landscape History of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne (1996), and Allom Lovell & Associates Pty Ltd’s The Old Observatory Site Conservation Management Plan (1997).

3.1 Owners and there is a long history of Hill. The high point itself, now the site of Aboriginal people living in the landscape.4 Government House, is an important site to ABORIGINAL HERITAGE the Traditional Owners, where corroborees The connections of the Traditional Owners are known to have taken place7. The site of Melbourne Gardens and area are to Country – that is to the lands and around Birrarung (the Yarra River) and waters traditionally held by the tribes Tromgin (the Aboriginal name for the and clans5. For Melbourne Gardens this Gardens’ lagoon) is part of the traditional particularly includes the higher land to the lands of the Aboriginal peoples, today east and west, folding down to Tromgin described as members of the Kulin and Birrarung.6 Links to the surrounding Nation; specifically, the Boonwurrung and landscape are extensive, although not Woiwurrung peoples2. The land to the all can be seen today. However, views south of Birrarung was associated with from the high points within Melbourne the Yalukit Willam, a Boonwurrung clan, Gardens and Government House look out with Woiwurrung clans also identifying to the Tanderrum ceremonial site to the with Birrarung.3 The boundary and extent north of Birrarung as well as surrounding of the area shared between these peoples high ground including the Dandenongs, remains unclear, however the land holds Arthurs Seat, Macedon Ranges, Emerald strong connections for all the Traditional Hill (South Melbourne) and Batmans

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 15 From the important high ground, the The site of Melbourne Gardens would Land for the Gardens was reserved land sloped steeply away to Tromgin, a have been a plentiful and varied source for botanic gardens purposes in 1846 rich hunting ground. Birrarung, later to of food and other important material for and the same year a new Aboriginal be artificially straightened, wound into Aboriginal people. It was abundant with mission site was established on the Merri the Gardens following the sedimentary water birds, fish and eels, a range of small Creek, with many Aboriginal people in escarpment that now rises steeply from to medium or large mammals (kangaroos, Melbourne moved to the new mission. It Alexandra Avenue to the Temple of the wallabies, possums), tubers and ; is likely that Aboriginal people continued Winds. The original alignment of the as well as useful plant fibers from rushes to camp at Tromgin into the 1850s as it river remains, being present beneath the and reeds and the bark of Eucalyptus was an established camping site, and Gardens as an alluvial aquifer with the camaldulensis for canoes.10 This land was away from the CBD, where Aboriginal river’s southern bank following what is used by Aboriginal people for hunting, people were discouraged13. now the northern edge of Long Island. fishing, and ceremonial purposes, and By the 1850s the number of Aboriginal A second water source in the form of a was an important place where Aboriginal people in Melbourne had fallen creek ran through the Gardens, flowing people visited, lived and were possibly dramatically, and the Woiwurrung and into Tromgin to eventually feed Birrarung; both born and buried.11 This life changed Boonwurrung peoples were relocated a natural drainage line which can now be forever with the arrival of European elsewhere. In 1863, after the failure of seen in Fern Gully and at the northern end settlers in 1835. an Aboriginal reserve at Acheron, a of Nymphaea Lily Lake. In 1836, a government mission reserve large area near Healesville known as The indigenous landscape of Melbourne for the Aboriginal people of Melbourne Coranderrk was selected and set aside Gardens included the Ecological was established on the south bank of the for an Aboriginal reserve. Among those Vegetation Classes of grassy woodland Yarra with the objective of ‘civilising’ and who settled there was William Barak, who on the hill tops and plains grassy protecting them. This site occupied nearly had attended Langhorne’s school at the woodland on the slopes. The southern 900 acres, including north-eastern parts Melbourne mission. bank of Birrarung was made up of swamp of Melbourne Gardens, and was known scrub, with tall marsh within and around as the “Yarra Mission”. At the mission, Tromgin and riparian woodland along administered by George Langhorne and the Birrarung corridor.8 On Birrarung’s his wife, Aboriginal children were fed, northern bank was damp sands herb-rich and adults were provided with rations in woodland. Together these landscapes exchange for work. The mission operated provided a rich and fertile environment until 1839 when Police Magistrate, William which supported the people.9 Indigenous Lonsdale ordered that it be closed after vegetation was dominated by River Red an altercation with Langhorne. It is unclear Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), Swamp where the Aboriginal people went upon Paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia), Drooping closure of the mission, but some people Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) and continued to camp at Tromgin within Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) the site of the present-day Melbourne among other taxa. Remnants of some of Gardens12. these species can still be seen today.

Sketch from Punt Road looking towards the Melbourne Gardens, 1875 Image courtesy of State Library The First Punt by Wilbraham Frederick Evelyn, of Victoria

16 Following the Yarra Improvement Act 3.2 In their original context, botanic gardens 1896, intended to reduce damage caused were scientific centres, where plants by flooding, the course of the Yarra DEVELOPMENT OF were displayed according to various River was straightened. This enabled BOTANIC AND PUBLIC botanical systems, rather than as objects the acquisition of a large portion of GARDENS of ornamentation. Herbaria were built land to the north side of the Gardens, for the collection and preservation of The European colonisation of and the main lagoon to be separated pressed specimens, supplemented by corresponded with a time of increased from the river to form an enclosed botanical libraries18. These institutions botanical and horticultural interest within lake. Through this process much of the were important for the new colony, as the British Empire. Previously unknown native vegetation and landscape was they provided a place for the collation species of plants were being collected lost, although today a small number of and description of Australian botanical from newly discovered areas of the ancient River Red Gums (Eucalyptus discoveries, as well as centres for trialling world and botanic gardens were being camaldulensis) and thickets of Swamp exotic species of potential economic and established as adjuncts to educational Paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia) survive. agricultural importance. institutions in England (at Oxford) As the land now occupied by Melbourne and on the Continent (Padua)14. With Over time, and especially in the Australian Gardens and Domain Parklands remained the abundance of new species being context, botanic gardens developed a undeveloped for many decades, it introduced to horticulture, plant collection secondary function as places for public continued to be used by the Aboriginal and display, especially of the new and use and enjoyment. As the industrial people for much longer than most unusual, became somewhat of a British revolution led to cities becoming places in central Melbourne. To this day, national passion; nowhere was this increasingly overcrowded and unhealthy, the Gardens continue to represent a passion more publicly displayed than in new ideas emerged about the importance remnant, albeit an altered one, of the botanic gardens. of providing parkland for the recreation Aboriginal landscape and a link to past of the people. Green spaces were seen to In the south of England this enthusiasm Aboriginal land use. The Aboriginal have moral and health benefits, providing for plant collection centred around Kew15, Heritage Values document, commissioned respite from the polluted and crowded encouraged by Royal patronage. By the by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria in cities and places where all classes could time of European settlement of Australia, 2017 and developed in consultation mix freely19. Kew Gardens had become a scientific with the Traditional Owners, identifies centre16, spurred on by both economic The result of this 19th century emphasis on these associations and paints a strong and scientific pursuits. The influence of public parkland can be seen throughout picture of a living landscape with what became Royal Botanic Gardens Australia, and in Melbourne’s inner ring ongoing connections to Country for the Kew was critical in the establishment of of public parks. The design of Melbourne Woiwurrung and Boonwurrung peoples. botanic gardens in Australia and by the Gardens represents the culmination of 1850s major botanic gardens had been this way of thinking, where Ferdinand developed in Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne Mueller’s rigid scientific layout was and Brisbane17. remodelled by William Guilfoyle into a picturesque landscape that merged both scientific function with public enjoyment.

The original course of Birrarung, showing the construction of Alexandra Avenue and the cut for straightening the river, 1898 Image courtesy of State Library of Victoria Alexandra Avenue, formation 1898, new cut for straightening the river partly excavated

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 17 The falls on the Yarra near present day Princes Bridge. The falls provided a barrier to the saline bay water until their removal in 1883 Image courtesy of State Library of Victoria The ferry and the falls on the Yarra by Wilbraham Frederick Evelyn

3.3 In keeping with the British idea of 3.4 establishing large park lands, or ‘Domains’, EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT around royal or aristocratic estates, 83 HISTORY OF MELBOURNE OF MELBOURNE acres were set aside on the southern GARDENS banks of the Yarra for ‘Government House The settlement of the Port Philip District 3.4.1 and Grounds’. The site was selected by of the colony of was Selection of the Site Superintendent Charles Joseph La Trobe, authorised by Governor Sir Richard in anticipation of the district The site of the present-day Melbourne Bourke in 1836, one year after John eventually becoming a separate colony.23 Gardens was reserved in 1846, just 11 Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner had The provision of large tracts of publicly years after the foundation of Melbourne. individually arrived from Tasmania and accessible, landscaped grounds around The land had been withdrawn from sale established unauthorised, and initially vice regal residences can be found in by Superintendent La Trobe during the competing, claims on the territory20. many cities including Sydney, Adelaide, depression of the 1840s, and when a new The first township was established at Cape Town and Vancouver. Frequently site was needed for botanic gardens, Williamstown, but due to a lack of fresh these Domains also became the site of the land was identified by La Trobe as water a new location was selected further botanic gardens, with Hong Kong, Sydney an appropriate site. The site was well- inland on the northern banks of the Yarra and Hobart botanic gardens all being suited for development as a botanic River21, where a small set of falls provided located within the Governor’s Domain. garden. The shelter and northerly aspect a barrier between the fresh water in the When a previous proposal to reserve of its small valley provided favourable river and the saline in the bay. In 1837 Batman Hill (near present-day Spencer horticultural conditions, its proximity to the central grid of streets was laid out, Street) for a botanic garden lapsed, the town and new suburbs enhanced the first land sales conducted, and the Superintendent Latrobe selected an its accessibility, and the undulating new town Melbourne, named in honour alternative site of 92 acres on the banks of topography and small stream flowing into of the English Prime Minister, was born. the Yarra, adjacent to the Domain24. a lagoon promised attractive landscape Almost immediately land started to be scenery. The reservation of the lands for set aside for public parks and gardens, botanic gardens was formally approved in keeping with Victorian ideas on the by New South Wales Governor Gipps in benefits of public open space. Flagstaff 1846, a date taken as the establishment Gardens, although originally a cemetery, of the Gardens. In the same year the was a popular public resort by the 1840s, Botanic Gardens Committee met for the was set aside in 1848, first time, funds were allocated for the Royal Park in 1854 and in commencement of works and John Arthur 1855. However, the first of these dedicated was appointed the first Superintendent, a public gardens was the Domain, set aside position he held until his death in 1849. as parkland in 184122.

18 Earliest known plan illustrating the Melbourne Gardens, showing a parterre on the south-east bank of the lake, 1855 Image courtesy of State Library of Victoria Melbourne and its suburbs compiled by James Kearney

3.4.2 circular beds and ornamental plantings for bringing a great interest in exploration Beginnings: Arthur and Dallachy was developed with views over the lagoon and plant collecting to the Gardens. He 1846–57 to the city beyond.26 This parterre can be made several expeditions across Victoria The first plan for the layout of the Gardens seen on the 1855 plan of the site. and New South Wales and is reputed to have found the headwaters of the Yarra is thought to be by Henry Ginn, Clerk of When Arthur died of cholera in 1849, River29. When Henry Ginn produced his Works to the Port Phillip District (1846–51) just three years after his appointment, 1852 report it included a catalogue of and later Colonial Architect (1851–53). he was immediately replaced with 1,420 taxa growing within the Gardens, As Secretary to the Botanic Gardens another Scottish landscape gardener, including many native genera.30 Committee, Ginn is thought to have drawn John Dallachy who consolidated and up a plan of the Domain and Botanic extended the established framework. During this period the Gardens served Gardens in 1846 and later designed the Dallachy maintained Arthur’s parterre not only as a place of science, but as under-gardener’s cottage (Plant Craft and continued to implement Ginn’s plan one of the few perceived pleasant public 25 Cottage) . He also produced the Gardens’ of the site.27 Major works included the spaces available to the early settlers of first two annual reports. development of a network of parallel Melbourne. The Gardens became a focal Initial improvements of the Gardens were paths that fitted the contours of the point for socialising, recreation, public undertaken by the Scotsman John Arthur, site, excavation of the lagoon and celebrations and charity functions. When who was appointed Superintendent in straightening of edges following severe the declaration announcing Victoria’s 28 March 1846. The earliest works included flooding in 1849 , construction of an colonial separation from New South planting around the lagoon and fencing under-gardener’s residence (Plant Craft Wales was announced in July 1851, it and cultivating the ground below Cottage) in 1850, and a propagating was made under a spreading River Red Anderson Street on a slope now known glasshouse and nursery circa 1851. Gum in the Gardens now known as the Separation Tree31. as Tennyson Lawn. This planting included Regarding planting, Arthur and Dallachy the extant Ulmus procera on Tennyson exploited the natural aspects of the Lawn, once a group of four trees known site and combined exotic plants with as Arthur’s and among the oldest indigenous vegetation, much of which surviving exotic specimens in the Gardens. was initially retained; a practice common To embellish the eastern entrance of the in the early days of many of Melbourne’s Gardens, a formal parterre garden with Parks. Dallachy in particular is credited

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 19 Portrait of Ferdinand Mueller while Director of the Gardens, c.1863 Mueller’s System Garden with Gardens House in the background, 1869 Image courtesy of State Botanical Collection Image courtesy of State Botanical Collection

3.4.3 Mueller carried out an ambitious program While Mueller’s scientific achievements The Botanist: Mueller 1857–73 for the Gardens’ scientific development. were widely recognised there was an In 1857 Government Botanist Ferdinand An early project was the development increased public disapproval about Mueller, later Baron , of an elaborate parterre system garden his horticultural expertise and taste in 33 was promoted to the role of Director of in the western area of the Gardens. A landscape gardening . Mueller believed the Botanic Gardens. Mueller had been wide range of plants were also cultivated plants to be naturally lovely and did not working closely with Dallachy, and on his for experimental purposes, including see the creation of a beautiful landscape appointment as Director, Dallachy became plants of possible economic value to the to be an object in itself; instead aiming to curator, concentrating on plant collecting.32 colony, or of broad horticultural interest. educate the public through the creation In addition, Mueller grouped native and of a system garden and plant labels34. Mueller’s 1853 description of the purposes exotic trees in collections, the most However, this did not mean that the public of botanic gardens as ‘an establishment notable being a pinetum on the western were unwelcome, as he saw the Gardens for the diffusion of knowledge, for the slopes of the reserve now known as the as a healthy location for public recreation experimental introduction of foreign Hopetoun and Huntingfield Lawns. and people still visited in their thousands. plants into our adopted country or for multiplying the treasures which our An extensive building and landscaping Mueller’s lack of concern with landscape flora offers and as a healthy locality program was undertaken including a beauty and recognition of public taste for recreation’, formed the basis of his substantial network of tree-lined walks, in Gardens was eventually to be his vision for the Gardens. The Gardens’ size, an iron perimeter fence, a conservatory downfall. By 1870 public discontent had complexity and importance as a research and propagating house, offices and increased to the point where a Board of centre for the colony grew rapidly under residences, the Yarra foot bridge (later Inquiry was set up to review the Gardens’ Mueller’s directorship. Through his plant replaced by Morell Bridge), an aviary, management, with the ultimate finding collecting and exchanges, Mueller built animal enclosures, and the Museum of that while Mueller had assembled a up a significant collection of plants for Economic Botany. valuable plant collection, he had not managed the gardens “as to give general the Herbarium and Gardens. He also A new bandstand was built which satisfaction”. In 1873 Muller was asked to established international and regional became a focal point for social occasions, resign as Director, although he continued links with other botanical institutions. alongside other ornamental features his work as the Government Botanist, a such as bowers, rockwork, grottoes, position he held until his death in 1896. His rustic bridges and borders. The eventual replacement as Director of the lagoon was treated as both a picturesque Botanic Gardens was his talented young landscape feature and a sanctuary protégé, William Guilfoyle. for birdlife, with the north-east area developed as a picnic ground.

20 3.4.4 initial garden layout, and extensively re- in rockeries. Guilfoyle adopted the The Designer: Guilfoyle 1873–1909 modelled the site to enhance its beauty. ‘subtropical’ bedding style that was th Born in Chelsea, London in 1840, Guilfoyle He favoured the picturesque tradition of widely used in Europe in the mid-19 th already had extensive experience when 18 century English landscape gardens, century, with an innovative interpretation appointed ‘Curator of Botanic and where landscape elements were arranged of the style using southern hemisphere Domain Gardens’, although aged only to produce scenic views and resemble plants. This interpretation established a 33. As the eldest of 11 surviving children landscape paintings. This meant elegant, distinctive, lush planting character. It is he had worked at his father’s Double Bay sweeping lawns, bold curves, handsome probable that Guilfoyle’s experience of the nursery from a young age and undertaken tracts of water and picturesque elements subtropical flora of the Tweed River Valley plant collecting trips to northern NSW such as summer houses and bowers and the Pacific Islands strongly influenced and Southern Queensland. In 1868 he creating focal points in the landscape. many of his landscape designs. Such joined a British war ship on a five-month Guilfoyle’s genius partially lay in his ability influences are still visible in the volcano tour of the South Pacific, producing to rationalise the High Victorian taste like design of Guilfoyle’s 1876 bluestone a series of water colour sketches and for ostentatious ornamentation with a reservoir, a cone-shaped feature built at detailed account of the journey which so gardenesque elegance and sensibility. the Gardens’ highest point and with lava impressed Mueller that he forwarded it The result was a “well-controlled flow like garden beds cascading down the to London for publication. On his return rationalisation of Victorian garden hill to the mounds. ideals”35, and the public approved. the family selected 250 hectares of land In 1875, additional land was added from on the Tweed River as a sugar farm and Guilfoyle reorganised Mueller’s straight the Domain to the Gardens southern experimental nursery, and it was his work paths, lines of trees and isolated specimens boundary, part of which Guilfoyle later at the nursery and tropical garden that led, into naturalistic clumps and massed developed as the Australian Border through an encounter with James Casey, plantings. He replaced the extensive featuring mainly rainforest plants. Victoria’s Commissioner of Crown Lands, tree-lined walks with a simplified network Following the Yarra Improvement Act to his appointment at Melbourne. of curvilinear paths, established spacious 1896 the Yarra River was deepened Although Guilfoyle shared Mueller’s lawns and transformed the lagoon into a and straightened to control flooding, views on the scientific purposes of the clear, reflective lake. Significantly, Guilfoyle with works being completed in 1900. Gardens, he believed its design should be dispersed the taxonomic collections This significantly altered the northern balanced by recreational and aesthetic throughout the landscape to create boundary of the Gardens and prompted considerations, saying ‘No necessity picturesque effects. This approach, while major redevelopments in the area, exists for allowing botanical correctness by no means surrendering their scientific including the final stage of the lagoon’s and landscape effect to clash in the purpose to aesthetics, was inspired and transformation into the Ornamental Lake. development of the Melbourne Botanic created the integrated landscape that we Guilfoyle’s legacy of a unified landscape Gardens. To combine the two ... has been know today. gave the Gardens a strong design framework for its future development. my design from the beginning ... I have The introduction of many gardenesque This framework has endured under every confidence that the results will be elements satisfied popular expectations successive Directors and defines the a garden in which the facility of research of a pleasure garden including elaborate character of the Gardens to this day. and scientific classification will combine floral displays, specimen trees on lawns with the sterling beauties of the scenery.’ and ornamental garden structures Towards this end Guilfoyle swept away the including large pots as focal points

Portrait of William Guilfoyle while Director of the Gardens, c.1900 Image courtesy of State Botanical Guilfoyle’s classically inspired Temple of the Winds, c.1907 Collection Image courtesy of State Library of Victoria Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 21 Guilfoyle’s plan of the Gardens, completed on his retirement in 1909. This plan guides the management and understanding of the Gardens to this day Image courtesy of State Botanical Collection

22 3.4.5 under Jessep’s direction. Many boldly 3.4.6 Consolidation: Cronin, Laidlaw, planted rockeries were exchanged for Rationalisation: Pescott, Churchill, Rae, Jessep 1909–57 massed displays of finer textured plants, Taylor 1957–1992 When William Guilfoyle retired as Director particularly camellias, azaleas and Following a request submitted soon after of the Gardens in 1909 the landscape rhododendrons; while palms, a favourite the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1954, the bore little resemblance to the botanically of Guilfoyle, were disliked by Jessep Gardens were granted permission to use the correct, but architecturally rigid landscape who instructed that they were no longer ‘Royal’ prefix in 1958. Guilfoyle’s landscape of Mueller’s time. One of Guilfoyle’s final to be used as memorial trees. A small framework remained largely intact over tasks was the production of a plan of the land parcel (0.7 hectares) was added the next 40 years, although the effects of Gardens showing the “Alterations and to the north-west area of the Gardens time, modernisation, ad hoc development Additions Effected since 1873”.This plan from Government House Reserve in and shifting expectations of the landscape shows a cohesive, ornamental landscape 1933. The site was treated essentially resulted in some changes to its overall with strong gardenesque and picturesque as an arboretum with conifers and character. As vegetation matured, the scale characteristics, and has formed the basis some eucalypts and was named the and sense of enclosure within the Gardens of future understanding of the landscape Huntingfield Lawn, in honour of the then altered. Diversity in the understorey was lost and interpretation of Guilfoyle’s design. Governor, the first born in Australia. as trees aged, and demand to find suitable locations for new trees put pressure on the Guilfoyle’s successors, John Cronin In 1934, a new herbarium was constructed landscape, leading to inappropriate tree (1909–21), William Laidlaw (1923-25), as a gift from Sir Macpherson Robertson, placement and the loss of significant views. Frederick Rae (1925–41) and Alexander an Australian businessman and Jessep (1941–57) oversaw a time of philanthropist, to celebrate the centenary This period saw a dilution of the distinct relative stability for the Gardens, of European settlement in Victoria. The taxonomic groupings that characterised faithfully maintaining the inherited new herbarium development included the Guilfoyle’s era and an increase in landscape design, though with some addition of extra land to the Gardens and geographic, ecological, conservation and difficulty during the war years. However, the erection of new gates (F Gate) that horticultural themes, reflecting the wider the influence of personal horticultural had originally stood in Carlton Gardens. scope of modern scientific enquiry and preferences had a considerable impact In 1946 a cactus garden, now called the the changed role of botanic gardens. on the planting character. Some of Arid Garden, was created on the site of Meanwhile, there was a reduction in the the most obvious changes occurred Guilfoyle’s Eastern Lawn Palm House. number of feature floral displays, possibly

Guilfoyle’sHer Royal Highnessplan of the Queen Gardens, Elizabeth completed II planting on his a Lophostemonretirement in 1909. confertus This planon Hopetoun guides the Lawn, management 1954 and understanding of the Gardens to this day Image courtesy of State Botanical Collection

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 23 The Ellis Stones Rockery shortly after it was replanted from its original alpine concept, 1970 Image courtesy of State Botanical Collection

due to changing tastes and the need to In 1970 Pescott retired and was replaced A revival of outdoor performances reduce maintenance. by David Churchill in 1971. Churchill occurred during this period. The first was the last Director to live in Gardens production of Shakespeare in the Gardens Under Pescott’s Directorship several House and held the post for 15 years. took place in 1987, followed by the annual alterations occurred, which diluted Developments under Churchill included live performance of Wind in the Willows Guilfoyle’s picturesque landscape. These the Herb Garden (1983), Grey Garden two years later. Moonlight Cinema on changes responded to larger maintenance (1985), and most significantly, the Central Lawn, overlooking the Central problems and were typical of the era. construction of the Tea Rooms. The Lake commenced in 1994. The cruciform Bougainvillea Rest House lakeside location had been used as a was demolished and replaced with the In the 1980s a Government inquiry Tea House since 1900, however the 1975 Clematis Shelter, A Gate Lodge was recommended the establishment of a development was considerably larger demolished, and the original Gardens’ Board to manage the Gardens for the than the small kiosk destroyed by fire residence at B Gate Lodge was replaced people of Victoria. The Royal Botanic in 1970. In 1981 Plant Craft Cottage was with a modern building in 1964. Perhaps Gardens Board Victoria was subsequently established in the 1850 under-gardener’s the most significant of these changes was established as a statutory authority under cottage near H Gate, on the edge of the the replacement of Guilfoyle’s romantic, the Royal Botanic Gardens Act 1991, Bluff Rockery. Churchill retired in 1986, single arched Eel Bridge and those on which also made provision for the roles and was replaced by John Taylor, who was Long Island with strictly utilitarian and low of Director and Chief Executive of the appointed Manager and Acting Director maintenance concrete and steel structures Gardens and Chief Botanist. pending appointment of the Board. in 1966–67. Another development during As a result of the Act, 1992 saw a number this period was the rockery constructed During this period there was a growth in of changes at Melbourne Gardens. During by celebrated landscaper Ellis Stones in education and interpretive services, which this year the Gardens came under the 1967. This rockery was intended for small, explained the collections and the Gardens’ responsibility of the Board, management European rock plants, but the micro- history and roles to the public. This period of the 2.4 hectare Melbourne Observatory climate was found to be unsatisfactory also generated considerable community was transferred to the Gardens, and Dr and it was replanted in 1970. support for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Philip Moors was appointed Director and with the Friends of the Royal Botanic Chief Executive, a post he held until 2012. Gardens Melbourne established in 1982. This group continues to be a generous supporter of Gardens’ projects.

24 Tim Entwisle, Director and Chief Executive, pictured at a funding announcement Phil Moors with staff planting aEucalyptus pulchella to mark 20 years of press conference with The Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Energy, Environment service, 2012 and Climate Change and Minister for Solar Homes

3.4.7 and the then award-winning building by was implemented, harvesting water from The Last 28 Years: Moors and Peter Elliot housing the Observatory Café, surrounding streets and treating it by Entwisle and Boards 1992–2020 Visitor Centre and Gardens Shop. In 1998, continued circulation through planted Many new developments at Melbourne another opportunity emerged for the treatment systems. As part of this work Gardens have occurred in the last 28 Gardens, with the transfer of a parcel of Guilfoyle’s reservoir, long overgrown and years, along with an increased recognition land from South (between off limits to the public, was restored in of the importance of bringing strategic the Melbourne Observatory and the rest 2010 as a contemporary interpretation planning and scientific process to the of Melbourne Gardens), to the Royal of his original vision of a volcano spilling management of the living landscapes. Botanic Gardens Victoria. This 0.7 hectare garden beds and rocks across the These changes have been overseen since site became The Ian Potter Foundation Gardens’ highest point. Both projects 1991 by the Royal Botanic Gardens Board Children’s Garden, which was opened with were highly successful, with about 40% of Victoria, led by led by Mr William Irvine much acclaim in 2004. The garden was the Gardens irrigation water now coming (1992-1997), Mr David Adam (1997-2005), designed by Landscape Architect Andrew from non-potable sources, a reduction in Ms Elaine Canty AM (2005-2013), Mr Ken Laidlaw and has become the benchmark algal outbreaks, and Guilfoyle’s Volcano Harrison AM (2013-2020) and Mrs Chris for children’s gardens in Australia. Both becoming one of the Gardens’ most Trotman (2020 onwards). Early projects Observatory Gate and the Children’s popular visitor attractions. Garden fell outside the scope of the 1997 from this period include the automation On the retirement of Dr Philip Moors, Master Plan but were compatible with the of the irrigation system (1993-94), the botanist and experienced botanic gardens planning objectives of that time. Australian Rainforest Collection (1994), executive Professor Tim Entwisle became the Tea Rooms expansion (1994) and the The Gardens faced new challenges in the the new Director and Chief Executive in Observatory Gate redevelopment (1999). 1990s as it responded to an outbreak of 2013. Professor Entwisle and the Board At the initiative of Dr Moors, guided by the the highly infectious pathogen fire blight brought a new vision for Melbourne Board, the first Master Plan for the Gardens (Erwinia amylorora) in 1997, and the Gardens—instigating a plan for a Nature was produced in 1997 and outlined a over-population of the Gardens colony and Science Precinct to integrate the number of projects to be implemented of indigenous Grey-headed Flying Foxes. Melbourne Observatory with the rest of over the next 20 years, including the This colony had begun to gather in the Melbourne Gardens. A new organisational Perennial Border renewal (1998), Green Gardens in the 1980s, growing so rapidly vision and mission (2014) and visual Organics Recycling Centre (1998), Species that it caused significant damage to the identity (2015) for Royal Botanic Gardens Rose Collection (1999), Long Island (2004), mature trees in the Fern Gully and on Oak Victoria were created. In 2014, the Public Toilets (2006), Guilfoyle’s Volcano Lawn. In 2003, with the assistance of the Children’s Garden celebrated its 10-year (2010), Working Wetlands (2012) and then Department of Sustainability and anniversary with festivities and additional Fern Gully Restoration (2015). Another Environment, the bats were systematically landscape work supported by The Ian significant change in this period was the relocated from the Gardens to a native Potter Foundation. bushland area in Yarra Bend Park. appointment of a Landscape Architect, By this time one of the few remaining Meanwhile the first stage of the award- who became responsible for the design Master Plan recommendations to be winning Australian Garden was opened of the site, replacing the Director’s role as fulfilled was the restoration of Guilfoyle’s at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria’s designer in chief. historic Fern Gully. This iconic and much- Cranbourne Gardens in 2006, with the loved landscape had languished under Completed in 1999, Observatory Gate was second stage completed in 2012. a significant new development to link the the pressures of drought, Flying Fox Melbourne Observatory to the rest of the During the millennium drought (1996– infestation and pathway deterioration. Melbourne Gardens. Works included a new 2010), the Gardens struggled with water Works for the pathway renewal were western link path through Western Lawn, security and algal blooms. In a move completed in 2015, and Fern Gully, once a new entrance gate (Observatory Gate), to reduce its dependence on potable again, become a show piece of Melbourne water, the Working Wetlands project Gardens. Designed by Andrew Laidlaw,

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 25 Melbourne Observatory from Government House Tower with the original Herbarium in the background and indigenous vegetation in the foreground, 1870-75 Image courtesy of Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

initial works included the installation of 3.5 The original site at Williamstown was accessible steel boardwalks, timber seats, found to be unsuitable so an alternative ornamental bridges and new plantings, HISTORY OF MELBOURNE site was proposed within the Domain. followed by the construction of three OBSERVATORY This dissatisfied Mueller who had plans health and wellbeing gardens in 2019. to make the entire Domain an extension Midway through Mueller’s tenure as These gardens added another layer to of the Botanic Gardens. In a ploy to Director, and while the Botanic Gardens the Melbourne Gardens experience; being keep the Observatory out of his way, was at the height of its early development, intimate, personal spaces in the middle of Mueller proposed excising an area of the Melbourne Observatory moved from a public garden. land from Government House Reserve. its original site at Williamstown to a new This backfired when the plan was Earlier in the decade, the Gardens location up the hill from the Gardens, on enthusiastically supported by Governor struggled with vandalism. The William Tell the southern boundary of Government Barkly, and construction of the Melbourne Rest House and Lakeview Rest House were House. The Observatory, together with the Observatory occurred between 1861 and set alight in 2014, and there were attacks Botanic Gardens, was part of a number 1863, overseen by the Observatory’s first on several historic trees and valuable of scientific institutions essential to a new Director, Robert Ellery. plants, especially around the Arid Garden colony. As a southern hemisphere outpost, and Guilfoyle’s Volcano. Most significant the Observatory could contribute to Melbourne Observatory became of these incidents were the 2010 and broader scientific knowledge and mapping fully operational in June 1863, when 2013 ringbarking of the historic River Red of the skies, but of equal importance the transfer of staff and equipment Gum known as the Separation Tree, which was its role in the smooth operation of from Williamstown was completed. ultimately led to its death in 2015. Melbourne’s daily life. The Observatory continued to grow and for nearly 80 years carried out A more widespread threat to the The Melbourne Observatory acted as important scientific research, and Gardens is the ongoing risk of climate the centre for all scientific measurement provided scientific data essential to change, with RBGV at the forefront of in the colony. As well as including industries—ranging from shipping to botanic gardens landscape succession astronomical equipment, it coordinated farming, business, exploration and planning. The Landscape Succession meteorological observation stations, politics. Over this time, it was associated Strategy Melbourne Gardens 2016–36 recorded tides, terrestrial magnetism with several prominent scientists such provides for the transition of the and seismic activity, published tide as astronomer’s Robert Ellery, Piertro landscape to one more suited to charts and weather forecasts, maintained Baracchi and Joseph Baldwin. future climate predictions, while still standard weights and measures; and maintaining the important Guilfoylian established the grid of fixed markers used The 1874 Transit of Venus lead to the character and quality of the Gardens. in the survey of Victoria and beyond. installation of the Photoheliograph (1873) Its principal function however was the and South Equatorial instruments (1874), keeping and dissemination of accurate part of a concerted, world-wide project time, essential for safe ship navigation. that yielded information new to science. The Photoheliograph is thought to be the only surviving example from a world-wide

26 Great Melbourne Telescope House with roof retracted, c.1875 Image courtesy of Melbourne Observatory Collection, Museums Victoria

set of instruments constructed for the its work had been published39, and to growing herbs for military and purpose of observing the Transit, and the cataloguing of the final plates was pharmaceutical purposes.41 In 1945, potentially the world’s oldest operating eventually completed elsewhere when the however, the Melbourne Observatory astronomical camera. Observatory closed in 1945. was finally closed, the Great Melbourne Telescope sold to Mount Stromlo42, and In 1869 Melbourne Observatory acquired The work of the Melbourne Observatory the temporary reservation of the site for the most significant of its , the was not limited to astronomical observatory purposes was revoked. After Thomas and Grubb built Great Melbourne observations. The first official weather this time the Great Melbourne Telescope Telescope, which for 30 years was the forecast in Australia was issued from the continued its scientific work in Canberra largest fully steerable telescope in the Observatory by Robert Ellery in 1881, with great success, until much of it was world. The installation of the telescope and tidal predictions for Port Phillip Bay destroyed in the devastating bushfires of in 1869 was met with much public calculated from 1857 to the Observatory’s January 2003. excitement and scientific expectation, closure in 1945. In 1857 the Observatory however discoveries were limited due became home to the Victoria Geodetic From a landscape perspective, the to a combination of complex scientific survey, established to precisely locate Melbourne Observatory site has had commissions, budget cuts, problems latitude and longitude for cadastral continuous management input from the publishing findings, and tarnishing and surveying. The Observatory also played a adjacent Botanic Gardens, with Ellery flexure of the mirrors. Despite these vital role in the exploration of Antarctica going so far as to (unsuccessfully at problems it continued to be operated by in the early 20th century, by providing that time) propose in the 1880s that the dedicated observers until 1892.36 In 1875 the basis for magnetic surveys and time Botanic Gardens take over responsibility Sir George Biddell Airy, the Astronomer signals used to determine the location of for the Observatory grounds.43 Royal, concluded that “the Melbourne Mawson’s base camp40. It was also known Although Mueller originally opposed Observatory had produced the best for its pioneering employment from 1898 the construction of the Observatory on catalogue of stars of the Southern to the early 1930s of a team of women the site and had to modify his plans for hemisphere ever published.” 37 as civil service employees to do technical the Domain to accommodate it, 44 he and mathematical work, an innovation was later instrumentally involved in the In 1889 a new building was constructed to that helped empower women in Victoria early planting. house the double telescope , and Australia. installed as part of a massive international In its earliest days suppression of dust Carte du Ciel (Astrographic) scientific In 1932, with the Great Depression rife, from the neighbouring St Kilda Road, project to observe and catalogue the a Commonwealth decision was made to which interfered with equipment and entire sky. Over the next 25 years the sky close many of the State observatories observations, was the primary concern of was systematically photographed by the and rationalise their functions into Government Astronomer Robert Ellery, Astrograph, and in 1900 the painstaking Perth and Mount Stromlo. The Second and Mueller consequently provided a measurement and cataloguing of the World War offered the Melbourne “rapid-growing W. Australian Eucalyptus plates commenced38. By 1930 only three Observatory a short-lived stay, being calophylla (Marri) and of eligible elegant volumes, of the eventual five, required for used by the National Time Service and pines for the purpose”45. Ellery continued the Melbourne Observatory to complete hosting an army branch dedicated to expand the shrubbery and planting,

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 27 Main Observatory Building and landscaping, c.1908 Image courtesy of State Library of Victoria The Melbourne Observatory

frequently calling for more planting to In 1978, the land was re-reserved as 3.6 suppress the dust, and continuing to work a site for Public Park, Gardens and with Guilfoyle after Mueller’s dismissal. Herbarium and in 1992 the land was HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL formally transferred to the management HERBARIUM OF VICTORIA Prior to 1876, access to the Melbourne of the RBGV Board. In 1999 a significant Observatory was from north-east, but The National Herbarium of Victoria was redevelopment took place. Known as with the construction of Government commenced by Ferdinand Mueller on his Observatory Gate this work cost $2.9 House this was re-orientated, and appointment as Government Botanist in million and included a new entrance to the entrance drive from Birdwood 1853. While always physically connected to Melbourne Gardens, an entry forecourt Avenue established, forming a cul- Melbourne Gardens, it was under separate and a new building housing a café, the de-sac around the Main Observatory administration for a period of 50 years. Gardens Shop and Visitor Centre. As Building. As a result, the grounds were part of this work (and due to irreparable As Government Botanist, Mueller was heavily disturbed, and Ellery requested damage and asbestos concerns) the employed specifically by Governor La that the new Director of the Botanic Zeiss House, owned by , was Trobe to undertake a scientific survey of Gardens, William Guilfoyle, include the removed from the site. the native flora and to create a publicly re-landscaping of the Observatory into owned herbarium collection— the first his wider plans for the Gardens and the From 1936 to the current day, the public herbarium collection in the country Domain. This occurred in 1877–78, with Astronomical Society of Victoria (ASV) and the first appointment to such a role. Guilfoyle overseeing the re-establishment has had a presence on the site, and from Prior to this, all specimens (including those planting and layout of the drives46. its closure in 1945 it has worked with from Cook’s and Flinders’ voyages) had Museums Victoria and RBGV in its ambition It was not until 1889, 27 years after been sent to European herbaria. While to re-open the buildings to the public and Mueller’s above mentioned letter, that several people before Mueller, such as Allan conduct astronomical demonstrations and Ellery was satisfied with the landscaping; Cunningham at Sydney, had held the role of night sky tours. This function continues, the extent of which is visible in an 1885 Government Botanist, their brief had been and with the support of Museums Victoria, plan of the site. This plan, initialled PB, to collect specimens for British herbaria, ASV volunteers are reconstructing the shows a direct, utilitarian path system, and not, as was Mueller’s case, to create a Great Melbourne Telescope, which was garden beds stylistically typical of public record to remain in the colony. badly damaged in the 2003 Canberra Guilfoyle, and dense perimeter planting. bushfires. Pending funding, the return In 1860 the first Herbarium Building Around 1900, however, the new of the Great Melbourne Telescope to its was completed in what is now Kings Government Astronomer, , original home at Melbourne Gardens is Domain South. Referred to by Mueller as was less concerned with dust suppression planned to occur in 2023–2025, with the “Botanical Museum” the bluestone and arranged for the removal of several the Gardens receiving Commonwealth building was to the rear of the current trees which were interfering with views of heritage funding in 2017 and 2018 to day public toilets, near the Shrine of “celestial objects at low altitudes”47. commence restoration of the building and Remembrance. The rest of the year reactivation of the retractable roof. was spent fitting out the building, and

28 The newly constructed National Herbarium of Victoria Building, c.1934 Image courtesy of State Library of Victoria National Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

the herbarium collection was moved in When Mueller was dismissed as In 1988 the Herbarium was again space January 1861. Almost immediately Mueller Botanic Gardens Director in 1873, the restricted, and a circular annex and recognised that the building was too administration of the herbarium was basement was added to cater for the small, but it was not until 1883–84 that the separated from that of the Gardens. In growing collection as part of Australia’s building was substantially extended. An 1892 Guilfoyle went so far as to open his bicentenary works. The extension iron annex was added to accommodate own Museum of Economic Botany and required the layout of Western Lawn to be the material of the Sonder herbarium, Plant Products inside F Gate. It was not modified and was funded by the R.E. Ross which Mueller, after 22 years of lobbying, until 1923, when the Government Botanist Trust. By 2007, RBGV again identified had finally convinced the Victorian William Laidlaw was appointed Acting issues with Herbarium overcrowding. Ten Government to purchase. Director of the Botanic Gardens, that the years later these space constraints had administration was again combined. reached critical levels, with irreplaceable In 1896 Mueller died in office and George scientific specimens being stacked on top Luehmann succeeded him as Acting In 1934, a new Herbarium building was of shelves48, stored on tables and filling Curator. At his death the herbarium constructed inside F Gate, a gift from all sundry spaces in the Herbarium49. contained nearly one million specimens. philanthropist Sir Macpherson Robertson This lack of proper storage facilities led In the December of that year the in celebration of Victoria’s centenary. In to irreparable damage to the specimens herbarium was officially named the 1935 Guilfoyle’s herbarium, maintained by through a series of pest infestations in the National Herbarium of Victoria, and a the Botanic Gardens, was amalgamated non-secured collection. As a result, the third wing of the building was added with the National Herbarium collection Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Corporate three years later in 1899. and the specimens and library transferred Plan 2014-2019 prioritised planning and from Mueller’s herbarium in the Domain securing funds for a new herbarium to the new building. The original building building. This resulted in the investment in the Domain was eventually demolished in 2019 of $5 million by the Victorian (date unknown). Government to not only plan and design a secure vault for the State Botanical Collection beneath Western Lawn, but to use this project to engage Victorians more deeply with the collections, programs and activities of RBGV.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 29 4 Melbourne Gardens Today The Melbourne Gardens sit in the heart of the city Image courtesy of The City of Melbourne

Today the Melbourne Gardens sit as a sanctuary in the city, a treasured green refuge enjoyed by generations of visitors and supporting diverse ecological systems in the heart of a major urban centre. The following provides a snapshot of the Gardens in 2020, including how it sits in the broader Melbourne and world context. This information provides the background and rationale behind the recommendations made by the Master Plan.

4.1 Domain Parklands forms a continuous Melbourne Gardens are at the eastern swathe of over 120 hectares of public end of the Domain, approximately two GARDENS SURROUNDS open space starting at the southern end kilometres south-east of Melbourne’s Melbourne Gardens sit within the Domain of the city grid. Government House, the CBD, and comprising approximately Parklands, contributing to the network of Music Bowl, the Shrine of 30% of the Domain Parklands. The parks and gardens encircling Melbourne Remembrance and Melbourne Gardens all site is bounded by Alexandra Avenue and reserved for public use since the 19th sit within the Domain and are separately and the Yarra River to the north, the century. In addition to the Domain, these managed. Parkland within the Domain is Anderson Street residential area to the include the Fitzroy, Treasury, Flagstaff managed by the City of Melbourne and east, Birdwood Avenue and Domain and Carlton Gardens adjacent to the city is comprised of the Alexandra Gardens, Parklands to the south, and Government grid; in Richmond; Fawkner Henley Reserve, Gardens, House to the west. Small fingers of Park in South Yarra; Albert Park in South Kings Domain and Kings Domain South. Melbourne Gardens land extend around Melbourne and Royal Park in Parkville. In The Domain Parklands are generally the northern and southern boundaries of most cases this ring forms an open space planted in the gardenesque style, with Government House and connect directly boundary between the commercial city a predominantly European tree canopy, to the Kings Domain. Domain Road and centre and the residential inner suburbs. sweeping pathways, decorative planting a small commercial shopping strip lie beds and landscape follies. The exception approximately 100 metres to the south, being the classically derived memorial separated from the Gardens by Kings landscape of the Shrine Reserve. Domain South. Two schools, Melbourne Grammar and Melbourne Girls Grammar are next to the Domain. A popular 3.8 kilometre running circuit known as the Tan Track encircles the Gardens and Kings Domain and is used by approximately 4000–6000 visitors every day50.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 31 G Gate

Lych Gate Huntingfield Lawn

Temple of Yarra the Winds H River Bluff RockeryGate

Government Plant

Directors' Morrell Bridge House Craft Roll Southern Grounds Government Cottage Alexandra Avenue House Gate Long Island A Backwater Clematis Northern Border Gate Shelter Northern Government Government Long Island Lawn House Main Entrance House Dallachy Picnic Island Point Guerard Island Toilets Ornamental Lake Hopetoun Baker Lion's Head Island Lawn Lawn Fountain Island Phoenix Separation Lawn Dog Tree Rest Flat Terrace Tea House Touchwood Rooms Ruin Great Toilets Ridout Lakeview Anderson Street Rose Taxodium Melbourne Island Toilets Rest House Pavilion Lawn Telescope William Tell House Car Tennyson Rest House Park Eel Eastern Green Lawn Bridge William Border Organics Perennial Tell B Gate B Princes Recycling Border Rockery Rockery Main Central Gate Government Lawn Observatory Lake Species House Rear Rose Southern Building Visitor Entrance Gardens Sayce Garden Eastern Cross Centre Island House Lodge Lawn Central Water Eastern O Gate Southern Lawn Conservation Lodge Africa Garden Entrance

Toilets Drive The Ian Potter Western Observatory Fern Gully Foundation Lawn Rest House Fern Tecoma Lawn Gully Rest House Children's Garden Brooks Toilets Eastern California National Lawn Shrine of Birdwood Avenue Camellia Palm Dallas Herbarium Five Remembrance Lawn of Victoria Ways Toilets F Gate Oak Rockery Arid C Lodge Lawn Herb Garden Gate F Gate Garden

The Australian Forest Walk Mounds La Trobe's Drive Guilfoyle's Cottage Works Volcano Yard and Tropical Southern

Glasshouse Lawn Brooks Nursery Domain Nymphaea House Toilets Lily New Zealand Guilfoyle Lawn Eucalypt Dallas Lake Ellis Stones Lawn City of Rockery Melbourne E Gate Depot Trade Lodge Australian Forest Walk Gate Edmund D Gate Herrring E Gate Birdwood Avenue Memorial Oval Anderson Street

0 metres 100 N

Domain Road

Plan of the Melbourne Gardens, 2020

4.2 uphill and is not wheelchair accessible. In 2017, construction commenced on a The shortest accessible route from new train station – Anzac Station, on the REACHING MELBOURNE public transport is 900m along Domain corner of St Kilda and Domain Roads. GARDENS Road and through Kings Domain South Once completed this station will be the to F Gate. The nearest train station is closest to the Gardens and provide an 4.2.1 Richmond, an 800m walk from A Gate opportunity to increase accessibility and Getting to the Gardens across Gosch’s Paddock. These public visitor numbers. Opening of the new Melbourne Gardens are easily accessible transport access shortcomings are station is expected by 2025, together by vehicle with car parking provided on addressed through the Development with the return of the tram route along all road frontages, and bus parking on Guidelines documented in this Master Domain Road and improved bike lanes Anderson Street near A Gate, and on Plan, and through advocacy as civic along St Kilda Road. In the interim, there Birdwood Avenue opposite the Shrine. infrastructure is developed outside will be significant disruptions to the tram A taxi rank is located on Birdwood the RBGV’s land. The plan on page 33 network and road access along St Kilda Avenue, near the intersection with illustrates all means of reaching the Road, although the long-term benefits Domain Road. Trams run regularly along Gardens today. for Melbourne Gardens are considered to St Kilda Road, however the nearest stop is greatly outweigh the short-term reduction a 600m walk in access.

32 LEGEND PUNT ROAD Train station TO EASTERN (closest stations only) FREEWAY EASTERN SUBURBS, Tram or bus stop (closest stops) DONCASTER, YARRA Parallel car parking VALLEY Angle car parking JOLIMONT STATION Bus parking Trains: Epping and Route from train station Manual wheelchair accessible Hurstbridge Lines Route from train station Route from Tram/Bus stop Manual wheelchair accessible

Route from Tram/Bus stop 1.0km

Route from future train station 1.2km

RICHMOND STATION FLINDERS Trains: Alamein, Belgrave, STREET Cranbourne, Frankson, STATION Glen Waverly, Lilydale, Trains: All lines Pakenham, Sandringham and Stony Point Lines

AAMI PARK Tram: 70 1.3km Bus: 605

0.8km 1.6km TO MONASH FREEWAY SOUTHEAST SUBURBS, 1.2km CRANBOURNE, LYCH G GIPPSLAND GATE GATE TO WESTGATE FREEWAY 0.9km H WESTERN SUBURBS, GATE GEELONG, BALLARAT A

GATE 0.4km

SHRINE OF ROYAL BOTANIC REMEMBRANCE GARDENS B Trams: 3/3a 58 16 VICTORIA GATE ALEXANDRA 64 67 72 MELBOURNE O AVENUE 0.6km GATE GARDENS Bus: 246 F GATE C GATE 0.6km D E 0.5km GATE GATE TAXI DOMAIN INTERCHANGE 0.9km RANK Trams: 3/3a 5 6 16 58 64 67 72 DOMAIN ROAD Buses: 216 219 220 Future Tram Route FUTURE ANZAC STATION 1.4km 0.5km SOUTH YARRA STATION Trains: Cranbourne, Frankson, ST KILDA ROAD Pakenham, Sandringham and TOORAK ROAD MORNINGTON Stony Point Lines. PENINSULA Tram: 58

0 metres 250 N

Melbourne Gardens Transport and Access, 2020

4.2.2 and near the Children’s Garden, having All parts of the Gardens are open to the Arriving at the Gardens the greatest use with 483,000 visitors public except for the Works Yard, car park Melbourne Gardens are accessed by 10 annually, followed by the tour bus on the Observatory site, and buildings public gates and four staff-only vehicle accessible A Gate (277,000) and D Gate, and their immediate surrounds. There is entrances. Public gates are named the entrance for outdoor cinema, with no charge for admission to the Gardens, 51 alphabetically, starting with A Gate in 196,000 visitors annually. however fees are charged for venue bookings and to access services such as the north-eastern corner and running Historically, the Gardens have been public programs. clockwise around the Gardens ending fenced since at least 186252 and are with H Gate on the northern boundary. open from 7:30am to sunset each day. 4.2.3 Two gates are individually named: Lych The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Navigating the Site Gate, on land formally part of Government Garden is separately fenced and has its Within the Gardens, movement is House, and the 1999 addition of O Gate own opening hours which include two generally via a network of broad, gently at the Melbourne Observatory. Gate months’ closure for maintenance each curving asphalt pathways. These paths, use varies across the site with O Gate, winter and exclusive use for Learning and laid out by Guilfoyle, are an essential opposite the Shrine of Remembrance Participation programs two days a week. component of the landscape character

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 33 The Garden Explorer improves the Melbourne Gardens’ accessibility

and provide an enduring framework for Guilfoyle’s curving path system, while 4.3 the various landscape elements. Generally, providing a beautiful and flexible means they follow the topography of the site, of exploring the site, does not fully lend VISITATION with some notable exceptions where they itself to intuitive wayfinding. The natural Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria plunge down the hill near the Temple of topography of the site and constantly commissioned market research in 2018 to the Winds, and around Hopetoun and looping paths help somewhat, but understand who visits the Gardens and their Tennyson Lawns. The system creates signage at major junctions is still used to reasons for coming. This comprehensive a series of loops which link all parts of assist wayfinding. Even in more recent study found that people valued Melbourne the Gardens and provide numerous developments within the Gardens, Gardens because they were for everyone, a ways to traverse the site. There are also especially around the Observatory, many perception based on the Gardens being free open lawns and swathes of garden beds visitors inadvertently end up in staff-only to enter, having something for everyone inviting visitors to step off the pathways areas due to the confusing hierarchy of and attracting a diverse range of visitors. and wander informally. the path system. The research by external consultants In addition to the main path network, Pathways are largely free of steps and identified six core motivational segments a series of secondary paths provide a other obstacles, and several locations for visitation: Mind and Body (22%); Social more intimate experience and greater provide lay-back kerbs to lawn areas Butterflies (19%); Curious Explorers (16%); exposure to the plant collections. These and secondary path junctions. The new For the Family and Children (16%); Plant pathways are narrow and frequently fully accessible boardwalk through the Lovers (14%); and Choosing to Pass Through gravel surfaced, although in recent years Fern Gully has improved access across (14%). This segmentation reinforced the exposed aggregate concrete and steel the site, providing a fully accessible findings of the Melbourne Master Plan boardwalks have been used, while some pathway from D Gate to the Ornamental public consultation process. older pathways remain asphalt. Examples Lake. However, the topography of the Visitor numbers to the Gardens fluctuate of these secondary pathways are the site still poses significant challenges for slightly year-on-year, but are increasing, enclosed walks within the Australian people with impaired mobility, especially matched by a significant increase in Forest Walk, Southern China Collection, around Hopetoun and Tennyson Lawns Melbourne’s population, especially in the and Long Island; the access pathways to where paths are steep, and steps are inner city. Visitor numbers are comparable the Herb Garden and Perennial Border; sometimes required. to other major cultural institutions such and the new steel boardwalk through the as and National Gallery of Fern Gully. Victoria. By 2023 it is estimated that the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria will have 3 million visitors per annum spread across the Melbourne and Cranbourne sites53.

34 The William Tell Rest House, one of the Gardens’ many picturesque follies

4.4 plantation of evergreen trees which “No necessity exists for allowing surrounds the site and creates a buffer botanical correctness and LANDSCAPE CHARACTER to the city; emphasising the Gardens’ landscape effect to clash in the Melbourne Gardens occupies 38.6 hectares inward-looking aspect. Within the development of the Melbourne on the banks of the Yarra River and is Gardens, wider views punctuated by Botanic Gardens. To combine comprised of three historically distinct land soaring conifers provide a pleasing the two… has been my design… parcels: the original 35.4 ha landscape, juxtaposition of greenery against the I have every confidence that the 2.5ha Melbourne Observatory site, Melbourne skyline. the results will be a garden in which the facility of research and a 0.7ha area of Kings Domain added 4.4.1 and scientific classification to the Gardens in 1998 and now the site Original Botanic Gardens of The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s will combine with the sterling The layout and character of Melbourne Garden. Dallas Brooks Drive, a gazetted beauties of the scenery.” Gardens today owes much to the design road managed by the City of Melbourne, William Guilfoyle55 and stewardship of William Guilfoyle, separates the Original Botanic Gardens who used the natural beauty of the site Within the Gardens the scenic landscape from the Melbourne Observatory and to create a garden which epitomises the comprises a series of highly planned Children’s Garden. best of the picturesque/gardenesque views framed by trees and ornamental The overall landscape design of landscape style.54 The genius of this garden beds, all laid out with a strong Melbourne Gardens derives much of its design lies in its ability to reconcile the sense of balance between the mass and qualities from the topography of the potentially competing functions of a high- void. The main component of the mass is site. Occupying a hill on the banks of the level public open space and a scientific the plantings, including the remnant and Yarra River, the site falls approximately institution. By placing the botanical historic trees, decorative garden beds, 28 metres from the high points at the collections within a cohesive and indigenous vegetation and the living Volcano and Observatory to the Central designed setting, Guilfoyle was able to collections, which are complemented by Lake. Another high point exists along the create a unified landscape which met the the buildings. Guilfoyle’s unified approach top of a rock escarpment below Temple aesthetic and recreational requirements to planting design allows this mass to be of the Winds, the original southern bank of a public garden and the scientific artfully contrasted against the open void of the Yarra River. A drainage line to the obligations of a botanic garden. spaces of the paths, lawns and lakes—all Yarra sweeps through the centre of the of which provide the canvas for displaying Gardens, providing a natural focus in the beauty of the plant collections. the Fern Gully and lakes. This sense of serenity, and a secluded, contemplative atmosphere is reinforced by the dense

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 35 The Picturesque/Gardenesque Landscape The Original Botanic Gardens are a designed landscape in the picturesque/ gardenesque style. These terms relate to popular 18th and 19th century landscape design styles, however the meaning of the terms is often poorly understood. The gardenesque style developed out of the English Picturesque movement, however interpretations of both terms varied across time and continents, and even contemporary understanding was clouded by heavy philosophical discussion. When referring to Original Botanic Gardens, the terms are considered to mean the following:

ɳ Influenced by the work of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown and his English Picturesque landscapes; designed to appear as an idealised view of nature, an idyllic pastoral landscape, punctuated by carefully framed focal points and landscape follies ɳ Influenced by the gardenesque notion of the garden as a work of art, and Kemp’s definition of the gardenesque asbeauty “ of lines, and general variety. Roundness, smoothness, freedom from angularity, and grace rather than dignity or grandeur” ɳ Displaying Picturesque notions of the arrangement of the landscape to create a series of artfully composed and framed views or pictures ɳ Displaying Picturesque notions of the artful contrasting of the “sublime” (that which is natural, rough, awe-inspiring and surprising) with the “beautiful” (that which is gentle, smooth and polished) ɳ Displaying gardenesque notions on the arrangement of individual plants and specimen trees in the landscape to optimally display their character

Specimen trees, including palms, are used Another component of the landscape succulent and arid collections are set among throughout this landscape to provide character is the arboretum style plantings. rockeries in the dry, exposed conditions of vertical emphasis and horticultural The art of Guilfoyle’s design is that the higher ground. The sheltered drainage interest. Placement of these trees is the arboretums do not dominate the line to the Yarra has become a luxuriant, critical, as they are positioned to enhance landscape, as occurs in the Domain, but semi-tropical fern gully. The steep hillside and frame the important views, not to rather sit seamlessly within the broader near Government House is home to a obscure them. Serpentine pathways, picturesque style. This occurs across woodland arboretum, and the dry ridge line typical of the picturesque style, emphasise Hopetoun, Huntingfield, Eucalypt, and of southern boundary holds a collection of these view lines by taking visitors on Oak Lawns. In all instances there are Australian forest specimens which provide a meandering journey which carefully strong plant themes that tie the spaces shelter for the Gardens. Within these directs attention and gradually unfolds together and prevent the arboretums collections garden beds adhere to the best vistas of the landscape. Meanwhile, island becoming too diverse. principles of planting design, creating an garden beds frame views and encourage ever-changing display of colour, texture and The natural attributes of the site are visitors to step off the pathways and botanical richness. further emphasised by the placement and into the landscape. The overall result is a character of the plant collections. Cacti, garden of immense beauty.

View to Princes Lawn demonstrating the mass and void of the picturesque landscape

36 Vibrant Aloes next to the Main Observatory Building Remant indigenous Bursaria woodland on the Melbourne Observatory

4.4.2 Observatory. This includes Southern Cross award-winning architectural restaurant Melbourne Observatory Lawn, a Gardens event space. and Visitor Centre designed by Peter Elliot and a large, herring-bone paved Melbourne Observatory occupies Historically, the Melbourne Observatory courtyard designed by Landscape 2.5 hectares at the highest point of has always maintained its own distinct Architect Chris Dance with the Glen the Gardens, opposite the Shrine of landscape character, with early photos of Dunn sculpture Neutrino. Despite Remembrance. There is a long history the site and 1885 plan clearly showing a its architectural success the area is between the Observatory and Gardens, blend of scientific function and tasteful climatically exposed and does not with successive Directors, including both landscaping. The early days of planting encourage dwelling. Passive wayfinding Mueller and Guilfoyle, being involved in for dust suppression have long passed, into the Gardens is still difficult, the landscaping around the Observatory. but the utilitarian path system and tasteful complicated by the confusing need to The Observatory closed to official garden beds laid out by Guilfoyle are cross Dallas Brooks Drive. scientific functions in 1945 and since 1992 appropriate historical touchstones. In has been under the management of the recent years inappropriate fencing and The rear portion of the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, with a staff car park have isolated the Great Observatory, adjacent to the Great the area around the Main Observatory Melbourne Telescope House from the Melbourne Telescope House, is currently building being extensively redeveloped in other Observatory buildings, and garden dedicated to staff car parking. This area 1999 in a project called Observatory Gate. beds have been limited compared to of approximately 8,800sqm is off-limits The Melbourne Observatory has an their historic extent. The Conservation to the public, and except for a handful illustrious scientific history and to this day Management Plan has identified the of significant trees, has little botanical is still used for public night sky viewings. importance of maintaining the unique interest. The car park is primarily accessed It still contains all the key elements of qualities of the Observatory. From a through a driveway next to Gate Lodge, the 19th century observatory complex landscape management perspective, with a secondary entrance from Dallas including the Main Observatory Building historical precedent suggests increased Brooks Drive at the rear of the Visitor (1861–1902), Great Melbourne Telescope low-level planting and improved landscape Centre. With the anticipated return of the House (1869–1904), Photoheliograph, detailing are required to restore it to its Great Melbourne Telescope after 2023, South Equatorial House and Annexe (1873, traditional character. The Observatory’s there will be an expectation that this area 1874–75 and c.1883 respectively), Magnet atmosphere after dark gives a strong be redeveloped into accessible public House (1877), Obelisk for the Meridian sense of what the space once was: a open space and landscaped to reflect the Collimating Marker (1885), former series of open lawns, low, botanically rich historical character discussed above. Astronomer’s Residence (Observatory garden beds defining the spaces, some House, 1889), Astrograph House (1889) enclosure against the Domain, direct and a Caretaker’s Gatehouse (Observatory pathways, and ornate buildings. Restoring Lodge, 1901–02). The combined network the Observatory to this character would of buildings and instruments in this enhance its significance and continue the complex demonstrates the significant tradition of Botanic Gardens involvement technical and scientific achievements of in the landscaping of the site. the 19th century and is a living example of The Observatory Gate project was ‘Marvellous Melbourne’. These buildings, in response to the site’s transfer to situated in manicured lawns, with wide the RBGV and as a result opened a paved areas and low planting, define significant new entrance to the Gardens. the current landscape character of the The development included a then

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 37 4.4.3 The area has been broken down into a The Children’s Garden is an intensely The Ian Potter Foundation series of small, intimate spaces that are used space. Annually, it receives around Children’s Garden linked through botanically rich plantings. 230,000 visitors,56 and has become the The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s This creates a child-focused sense of central hub for a range of Learning and Garden occupies 0.7ha between the scale, where elements are designed to Participation programs, especially for Melbourne Observatory and Dallas create a feeling of intimacy, wonder and primary schools. The western portion of Brooks Drive. The site was gifted to the escape from the material world. Walking the site is dedicated to a large vegetable Gardens from the City of Melbourne through the small gateway, the space is garden, which is open to the public and in 1999 as part of the Observatory enclosed and immediately envelops the used extensively for school programs. development. Its transfer provided an child in plants and intricate pathways Adjacent to the Vegetable Garden and opportunity to connect the Original for exploring in a way which feels safe opening of Birdwood Avenue is a small Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne and inviting. The entire garden is heavily Gathering Lawn, which allows groups to Observatory, creating the site we know planted except for a small open lawn assemble before they are separated for today. The aim of the Children’s Garden area and pond. Planting themes are different activities. A new Banana Forest is to engage with children through their used to define the different areas and and Desert Island were added for the play, fostering a sense of curiosity and include: Bamboo Garden, Snow Gum Gardens’ 10-year anniversary in 2014, discovery, and encouraging creative Gorge, Rainforest Garden, Indigenous funded by The Ian Potter Foundation, to play and a love of plants. Therefore, Wetland, Flax Tunnel and Tea Tree Tunnel. help alleviate pressure in other areas of the space was designed to be inwardly In addition to the plantings is a general the Garden. The Garden must rest over focused, surrounded by a steel fence emphasis on nature-based play, rich winter in Term 3 each year to allow for and dense planting. sensory experience and responding to a rejuvenation and large-scale maintenance. child’s view of the world. The Children’s Garden was opened to the public in 2004, and in many ways has set a benchmark for the way children interact with nature in public gardens, and the design of children’s gardens in Australia.

Bamboo Forest in The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden

38 4.4.4 Several other rustic features perform “In the first place, there must be Built Form similar roles in the landscape and no uniformity in the construction The picturesque landscape is a contrived include the historic rockeries, grottos of the rocks, and the outline idealised view of nature, an idyllic pastoral and original bridges. These once acted arrangement must be broken by landscape comprising lakes, sweeping as picturesque focal points in the gaps and recesses. Bold crags lawns and carefully designed pieces of landscape, providing the “sublime” natural should be formed here and there, architecture. Buildings are placed as either roughness to complement the “beautiful” and occasional wide shelves; and picturesque follies, creating important landscaped garden beds, lawns and also fissures should be provided view lines, or as complimentary features water bodies. Positioning these features for soil and plants to place such as the historic Gate Lodges. A was carefully contrived by Guilfoyle amidst a few loose boulders or series of follies, carefully located around who was actively involved in their large fragments inserted in the the Gardens, further shape the view construction, with their placement in the ground in the neighbourhood of lines, becoming both focal points and landscape being particularly repetitive. the main rockery, and will greatly destinations. A number of these follies The grotesque looking rockeries are add to the appearance of the are in the rustic gardenesque style, such placed on promontories projecting into latter.” William Guilfoyle57 as the William Tell, Separation Tree and the landscape, designed to showcase Fern Gully Rest Houses. Temple of the dramatic plants. They were often used Winds by contrast is a heroic folly, whose as entrance statements to areas of the classical proportions and grand position Gardens such as the Fern Gully and along typifies the picturesque style. The location Anderson Street. In a different style, of these structures is important, as they artificial rockeries were created around were placed to catch and draw the eye G Gate, H Gate, Temple of the Winds across the landscape. They were often and in the drinking fountain at A Gate, located in prominent positions such as complementing the more traditional rustic the lake edge where they were originally rockwork in these areas. complimented by the rustic bridges. The follies are critical in defining the Gardens’ character and contribute strongly to its picturesque qualities.

Gardens House nestled comfortably in the landscape with the Perennial Border in the foreground

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 39 E Gate Lodge, one of the Gardens’ charming 19th century buildings

Complementing the follies, but Other Gardens structures include the 4.4.5 performing a different role in the grand former residences of the Director Recent Developments landscape, are the historic lodges. These of the Gardens and Government In the 20 years since the first Master th are charmingly designed 19 century Astronomer (now Gardens House and Plan several new, modern additions and buildings, situated in prominent locations Observatory House respectively), the redevelopments have occurred. These at the Gardens’ entrances but still nestled Main Observatory Building and the have been in response to pressures comfortably in the landscape, with an National Herbarium of Victoria. The including revitalising tired infrastructure, open and inviting outlook. These include Herbarium is the most prominent in the landscape succession planning and E and F Gate Lodges and Plant Craft landscape, towering above Western meeting modern visitor expectations. Cottage, and the demolished A Gate and Lawn and presenting an imposing Art They include the Fern Gully Restoration, B Gate Lodges. The complex of buildings Deco façade to Birdwood Avenue and Guilfoyle’s Volcano, Perennial Border, and structures making up the Melbourne F Gate. Similarly, Gardens House sits Long Island, Working Wetlands and The Observatory also demonstrate historic prominently in the landscape, acting as Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden. appeal and a high degree of aesthetic an important focal point in a similar way merit. At the other end of the spectrum to the Gardens’ follies. Of similar scale to These recent projects were designed are the utilitarian, mid-20th century the former residences but sitting lower by the Gardens’ Landscape Architect, lodges, including Eastern and Nursery in the landscape is the 1975 Terrace Andrew Laidlaw, working with Lodge, both of which jar with the broader Tea Rooms. This building, extended horticultural and other RBGV staff. They landscape. As a result, both buildings in the 1990s, nestles comfortably in have all been implemented to display are largely screened from view and the landscape but does not add to the best of contemporary design and a public access, except for Eastern Lodge’s its character in any marked degree. strong sense of place, inspired by and exposed Anderson Street frontage. Combined, these buildings contribute responding to the Gardens’ landscape Nursery Lodge sits within the Works to the mass of the landscape and and visitor needs. Of importance is Yard, which was carefully sited on the emphasise its inward focus. the way these elements, while clearly higher ground so it could not be looked contemporary, sit sympathetically upon from above. A similar approach was within the Guilfoyle design, with the taken in the design of the Green Organics hardscaping being subservient to the Recycling Centre, which while lower in the display of the plant collections, and the landscape is still carefully screened behind rigorous control between mass and void mature trees. being carefully maintained. These new developments are an important layer of the landscape character and are among the most popular visitor destinations in Melbourne Gardens58.

40 The green curtain frames the landscape and provides unity

4.4.6 Green curtain Australian Forest Walk and Western Planting Character The green curtain (or wallpaper) is Lawn. In all these cases the planting is The character of Melbourne Gardens is the dominant style of planting across more intricate and detailed, containing dominated by the picturesque landscape Melbourne Gardens, providing the mass decorative plant combinations and and relies heavily on the tree and that defines and frames views, encloses climate-matched plants. layer to provide the necessary green and reveals spaces, and provides unity Unlike the other planting styles the curtain to frame the landscape. This green across the site. At a distance, other than green curtain is not a deliberately curtain wraps around and defines the the occasional projecting palm or strong designed style. It has instead evolved open void spaces and provides critical foliage focal point, the green curtain from an adherence to picturesque design screening of the site boundaries and appears as a single mass, primarily principles and the practical requirements works areas. It makes up most of the comprised of evergreen trees, of maintaining botanical collections in a Gardens’ planting and is essential to the and ground covers. On closer inspection mature garden. However, within its mass ambience and beauty of the site. The however, the curtain contains significant it still contains good planting design. This green curtain is largely absent on the diversity within its form, with many of the includes elements of the sub-tropical Observatory site to allow the buildings to living collections being embedded in this and arid planting styles, and a general maintain the historic, unencumbered site planting. The Southern China, Australian attention to variation, rhythm and overall lines essential to the scientific work within. Forest Walk, Southern Africa and New appearance, punctuated by soaring Consequently, the plant and landscape Zealand Collections all form part of the conifers and protruding palms. The overall character of the Observatory is very green curtain. effect is one of great botanical richness, different to the rest of the Gardens, being A characteristic of this planting style but also great composure. Planting is at comprised of lawns and specimen trees, is that much of the botanical richness times striking, but never overwhelming, with a limited number of low garden beds. and diversity exists only along the beds’ and the defining atmosphere is one of The Gardens’ green curtain is augmented outer edges. Internally spaces can be order and serenity. by several other planting styles, which sparse and lacking in diversity, due to while not defining the character of the overshadowing and root competition. landscape, are no less important due to At the outer edges however, the green the layers and richness they provide. These curtain becomes more nuanced, with include the subtropical foliage plants, arid ground cover planting punctuated by and rockery plantings, indigenous and vertical planting form. More recently remnant vegetation and the Fern Gully. some of these foreground areas have been completely renovated including the William Tell Rockery, Magnolia Bed, Perennial Border, pockets of the

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 41 The subtropical planting style adds texture and vibrancy to the landscape

Subtropical foliage plants The use of sub-tropical planting in The best remaining examples of the The subtropical planting style was used Melbourne Gardens provides a rich subtropical planting style are at the top effectively by Guilfoyle and continues to foliage contrast and is often used as a of Tennyson Lawn, on Princes Lawn, the contribute to the richness and vibrancy of focal point at edges, or as accent plants Cycad Beds, around the entrance to the the Gardens’ planting character. The style in garden beds. It also provides highlights Green Organics Recycling Centre, and was popularised in England by William within the green curtain’s foliage mix, close to the Herb Garden entrance. These Robinson in the 1860s. He encouraged with palms and cordylines diversifying arrangements with their dark green, people to plant bold foliage plants such the canopy. Of interest is where these exotic foliage are integral to the character as palms, tree ferns and bamboos into sub-tropical plants such as European of Melbourne Gardens, representing a irregular groupings, and allow them to Fan Palms (Chamaerops humilis) and strong link to the garden fashions of the naturalise throughout a garden. Guilfoyle’s Senegal Date Palms (Phoenix reclinata) day and the influence it had on William interest in the style was likely to be were plunged directly into lawn areas. Guilfoyle. They are also a defining part influenced by this prevailing fashion and Typically, the foliage contrast comes of the Gardens’ planting character, enhanced by his experience travelling from shape and size, rather than contributing to the variety and interest through the South Pacific and working in colour, with bold-textured plants such that characterises the green curtain. the sub-tropical Tweed River region. as Native Ginger (Alpinia spp.), Cycads (Lepidozamia spp.), Cordylines and Gymea Lilies (Doryanthes spp.) providing highlights within garden beds.

42 Eye-catching arid plantings at Guilfoyle’s Volcano

Arid and rockery plantings The arid and rockery planting style is Another style which contributes to characterised by large swathes of bold, the richness of Melbourne Gardens’ architectural plant forms such as cacti plant character is the bold arid and and succulents; the variety of forms often rockery planting. This planting is always competing and creating a contrasting associated with picturesque rustic rock appearance, especially along the G Gate work, and is mostly situated on exposed embankment and within the Arid Garden. high ground, reinforcing the visual This planting style was more prevalent impact of the site’s topography. It is also during William Guilfoyle’s time than it is frequently associated with the follies today, diminishing due to an increase in situated around the Gardens. Of note is the availability of irrigation water and a the planting and rockwork associated change in both micro-climate and fashion, with the Temple of the Winds, William Tell especially since Jessep’s time. This style Rest House, the embankment and H Gate, of planting represents a period of garden as well as the plantings around C Gate fashion when botanical curiosities and which include Guilfoyle’s Volcano, the plants with bizarre form from exotic parts Arid Garden and parts of the California of the world were highly sought after. Collection. Smaller examples of this Crucially, these were often plants that planting are associated with the grottos at could cope with a harsh environment A and B Gates, the Touchwood Ruin, and and lack of water, making them not only in proximity to Separation Tree and Fern fashionable, but highly appropriate for Gully Rest Houses. Melbourne’s climate. This made them especially suitable not only in Guilfoyle’s time, but also today, as the Gardens adapt to the effects of a changing climate.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 43 Indigenous and remnant vegetation Melbourne Gardens contain several pockets of indigenous and remnant vegetation, which while contrasting to the predominant planting character of the place, are an important link to the Gardens’ original landscape and make a significant contribution to the landscape character. These pockets of vegetation are split into two groups. The first being comprised of the remnant River Red Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and Yellow Box (E. melliodora), the copses of Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa) and Lightwood (Acacia implexa) on the Observatory site, and the Swamp Paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia) thickets on Baker Island and around the Lion’s Head Tree. The second group is comprised of areas of extensive re-vegetation and re-colonisation, especially on Long Island and around the lake margins. The indigenous vegetation by its very nature does not have the contrived, designed character of the Gardens’ other planted areas. The exception is the ‘Ancient Sentinels’. These remnant indigenous River Red Gums are older than the Gardens but were deliberately retained in the early landscape development as they contributed to its picturesque qualities. The character of the indigenous vegetation differs from the green curtain due to its rougher and dryer visual quality and finer texture. These areas are currently unirrigated, and therefore experience more summer seasonal variation than the rest of the landscape.

Native grasses surrounding the remnant Eucalyptus camaldulensis known as the Cockatoo Tree

44 Fern Gully Fern Gully, lying along a drainage line to the Yarra, is another of the distinctive places created by Guilfoyle. This space is characterised by a dense canopy of evergreen trees and palms creating complete enclosure, so that both the atmosphere and microclimate is different to any other part of the Gardens. Many of the plants are natives, notably Moreton Bay Figs (Ficus macrophylla), Kauri (Agathis spp.), Bangalow Palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana), Cordylines, Cabbage Fan Palm (Livistona australis) and a wide variety of Australian and New Zealand tree ferns (Cyathea spp.). Another significant part of the Fern Gully’s plant character is the extensive use of epiphytic plants, such as Bird’s Nest Ferns (Asplenium spp.) and Dendrobium Orchids, which grow on the trunks of the established trees and reinforce the forest- like inward focus. Much of Guilfoyle’s original understorey, and therefore much of the plant diversity of the Fern Gully, had been lost by the early 2000s due to drought and Grey- headed Flying Foxes. However, this has now been rectified through significant under-planting as part of the Fern Gully Restoration project, with the area now displaying 240 taxa, and again having a botanically rich understorey.

The lush canopy of Fern Gully

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 45 Southern China Collection

4.4.7 greatly from the traditional “systems the difficulty in obtaining plant material, Living Collections garden” approach favoured by Mueller, while a stronger emphasis on plant A living collection is a group of plants where plants are arranged based on conservation and meeting the targets of grown for a distinct purpose, usually taxonomic classification, or the other the Landscape Succession Strategy was serving goals such as research, common approach of attempting to supported through the Australian Rare conservation, education or ornamental arrange a series of individual designed and Threatened Collection in 2020. plant collections across a site. This display. These collections are actively Melbourne Gardens currently holds unified approach contributes strongly curated as a scientific resource. 23 collections falling under five broad to the international reputation of categories: Geographical, Research One of the principal characteristics that Melbourne Gardens. makes Melbourne Gardens distinctive and Conservation, Taxonomic and from other botanic gardens is the To maintain relevance, the composition Evolutionary, Ecological, and Ornamental seamless integration of the living of Melbourne Gardens’ living collections and Cultural. For a full list of the collection into the overall design of is reviewed periodically. For example, the Melbourne Gardens’ plant collections the Guilfoyle landscape. This differs New Caledonia Collection was retired refer to the box text below or the Living in 2012 due to climatic constraints and Collections Strategy 2020–2040.

Melbourne Gardens Living Collections at 2020 Geographical Taxonomic and Evolutionary Ornamental and Cultural

ɳ Australian Forest Walk ɳ Araucariaceae ɳ Climate Ready Rose Garden ɳ New Zealand ɳ Cacti & Succulent ɳ Fern Gully ɳ North America Drylands ɳ Camellia ɳ Gardens House ɳ Southern Africa ɳ Corymbia & Eucalyptus ɳ Grey Garden ɳ Southern China ɳ Cycad ɳ Guilfoyle’s Volcano

Research and Conservation ɳ Palm ɳ Herb & Medicinal Garden ɳ Quercus ɳ The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s ɳ Australian Rare & Threatened Species Garden ɳ Ecological Terrestrial Orchid ɳ Perennial Border ɳ Lower Yarra River Habitat

46 The Gardens’ role as an urban oasis will be increasingly important under future climate scenarios

4.5 Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria’s A soil survey of Melbourne Gardens was Landscape Succession Strategy Melbourne carried out in September 1992 and is CLIMATE AND SOILS Gardens 2016-36 has identified climate still current, however the Observatory Melbourne has a temperate, warm climate change as the biggest threat to the and Children’s Garden sites were not 60 with relatively even rainfall across the landscape of the Melbourne Gardens . included at that time. This survey yeari. Rainfall events are generally heavier The report identifies Melbourne’s future identified three distinct soil types, and less frequent in summer and lighter climate as hotter and drier, with increased with one comprised of two sub-sets: and more frequent in winter. Long term probability of extreme weather events deep and shallow loamy yellow duplex, maximum temperatures vary from 26.0°C such as heatwaves and flooding. Future deep sandy yellow duplex and loamy in January to 13.5°C in July with mean scenarios predict a decrease of 9% in gradational. Soil types are closely related minimums varying between 14.6°C and annual rainfall and increase of 3.1°C in to parent materials and were found to 61 6.0°C. On average, there is only 1.1 frost annual mean temperatures. If these be relatively undisturbed; excepting day per year, with the lowest recorded scenarios eventuate Melbourne’s climate increased levels of humus in the topsoil 63 temperature being -3.4°C in 1982.59 in 2070 could be more akin to present day as a result of long-term gardening . Dubbo in central New South Wales.62 Soils are generally acidic, well-structured Long-term rainfall average, based on and suited to horticulture, although 160 years of data, is 648mm per annum. natural nutrient levels can be low. Annual rainfall has shown a steady decrease over time, with the most recent 30-year average being 603mm per annum. This has corresponded with an average increase in mean maximum temperatures of 0.7°C and minimum temperatures of 2.2°C.ii

i Köppen climate classification cfb ii Comparison of Bureau of Meteorology 30 year climate averages between the period 1861-1890 and 1981–2010

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 47 A Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos)

4.6 Over the past 15 years the City of Animals and birds in the Gardens are Melbourne’s population has grown very popular with visitors. The eels in the FAUNA 250%64, and it is expected to nearly Ornamental Lake are often the centre 65 Melbourne Gardens is a valuable inner- double again by 2036 , which places of attention, especially around the Tea city green space, and one of the few increased pressure on urban greenspace. Rooms. Native rats, known as rakali, are locations in central Melbourne suitable for As such, it is predicted that Melbourne periodically sighted around the margins supporting habitat. As a result, it is home Gardens’ role as a place of habitat and of Ornamental and Nymphaea Lily to an array of native birds, mammals, fish ecological diversity will become even Lakes, as are the Gardens’ two resident and reptiles. more important. Especially as green space Eastern Water Dragons. Brushtail and canopy cover is lost from private and Ringtail Possums, Black Swans, The Gardens’ lakes and their margins property development and forecast Australian Wood Ducks, Kookaburras provide the habitat most akin to the population pressures. and Purple Swamphens are usually indigenous landscape and are rich in tolerant of visitors, and can sometimes wildlife, with the shrubberies and trees be friendlier than desired. The snags and full of resident and transitory birds, and logs scattered around the wetlands of home to Brushtail and Ringtail Possums Long Island attract an array of wildlife, and native bats. including Eastern Long-necked Turtles, Pied Cormorants and Nankeen Night Herons. More unusual sightings in the Gardens include the Powerful Owl, which regularly roosts near the Fern Gully, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos and Pardalotes. Unfortunately, sightings of Superb Fairy-wrens, popular with visitors, have decreased in recent years. In addition to the native population, several introduced animals are present: birds such as Starlings, Blackbirds and Indian Mynas, as well as rodents and foxes in fluctuating numbers.

48 Tim Entwisle, The Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change and Minister for Solar Homes, Ken Harrison and RBGV staff celebrate the announcement of new funding for the Gardens, June 2018

4.7 The day-to-day management of the 4.7.2 Gardens is overseen by the Director and Royal Botanic Gardens Act ORGANISATIONAL Chief Executive (the Director) and the The Royal Botanic Gardens Act was OVERVIEW Executive Team. The position of Director is passed by Parliament in 1991 (and appointed by the Board. 4.7.1 amended 2017) to establish a Board to Organisational Structure Management of the organisation (at oversee the care, protection, management and improvement of the organisation, Royal Botanic Gardens Board Victoria publication) is across five divisions or and to establish the Director and Chief (the Board) is the statutory authority groups: Melbourne Gardens, Cranbourne Executive’s position. The organisation’s for the management of Melbourne Gardens, Science, Engagement and objectives under the Act are: Gardens under section 16 of the Royal Impact, and Corporate Services. Melbourne Gardens are under the Botanic Gardens Act 1991, with the to conserve, protect and improve the direction of the Executive Director seven members being appointed by botanic gardens and managed land and Melbourne Gardens who oversees four the Governor in Council and serving their collections of living plants; renewable terms of up to four years66. specialist functional areas: Horticulture, In carrying out its functions and powers, Infrastructure and Facilities, Arboriculture, to conserve and enhance the State the Board represents the Crown and is and Landscape Architecture. botanical collection and National accountable to the Minister for Energy, Herbarium; Environment and Climate Change. to provide for the use of the State Representation of the Government’s botanical collection or plants or plant interest in the Gardens is through the specimens at the botanic gardens or Department of Environment, Land, Water managed land for scientific or reference and Planning (DELWP). purposes, consistent with accepted international practice; to increase public knowledge and awareness of plants and plant communities; to provide for the use of the botanic gardens for education, public enjoyment and tourism; to provide for the carrying out of and contribution to research into biodiversity; and the conservation of biodiversity.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 49 Great Melbourne Telescope House and the wider Melbourne Observatory is heritage listed at a State and National level Image courtesy of State Botanical Collection

4.8 4.8.1 4.8.2 National Heritage Listing Victorian Heritage Register STATUTORY CONTEXT The National Heritage List is a Federal Melbourne Gardens is included on the The following is a summary of the level list of “natural, historic and Victorian Heritage Register under three legislative framework and planning Indigenous places of outstanding separate registrations: the Royal Botanic controls that apply to the management significance to the nation.” The list Gardens (H1459), Melbourne Observatory of Melbourne Gardens. The statutory is administrated by the Australian (H1087) and Domain Parklands (H2304). context of the Gardens is subject to Heritage Council, a division of the The extent of these registrations reflects frequent modification, especially in Federal Department of Sustainability, the cultural and historic differences relation to land use planning. (This Environment, Water, Population and between the three parcels of land now information was correct at publication. It Communities. It was established in 2004 under the joint management of the has been included to provide background under the Commonwealth Environmental RBGV. The Victorian Heritage Register is information for the Master Plan.) A Protection and Biodiversity Conservation covered by the Heritage Act 2017 and is current planning report can be obtained Act 1999. Upon establishment it replaced administered by Heritage Victoria, which by searching the planning maps for ’100 previous Federal listings including the is the authority responsible for permits Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne 3004’. Full Register of the National Estate. and enforcement. text for the zoning and overlays can be In early 2018 the Melbourne Observatory The primary registration for Melbourne obtained from the City of Melbourne or was given National Heritage Listing as Gardens is H1459, covering the traditional planning maps online. Full text for State part of the broader ‘Melbourne’s Domain Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. As part and Federal legislation can be obtained Parkland and Memorial Precinct’. This was of this registration, an exemption (with from the relevant government websites. the result of a 2017 ‘emergency’ listing of specific exclusions for relocation of the The following provides an outline of St Kilda Road and environs in response Lakeview Rest House and A Gate works the implications of each of the planning to concerns about the removal of St and path changes) has been granted for controls. The original text should be Kilda Road trees during works for “all works in accordance with the Royal referred to when making decisions, such Melbourne’s Metro Rail Project. Botanic Gardens Melbourne Master Plan as whether a permit is required. (1998) [sic] and also subsequent revisions of the Master Plan or its equivalent as endorsed by the Executive Director”67. The Master Plan has been developed in consultation with Heritage Victoria with the intention of gaining a similar level of exemptions.

50 During any permit or exemption 4.8.4 4.8.6 application, the Conservation Yarra River Protection (Willip-gin City of Melbourne Planning Management Plan is likely to be a Birrarung Murron) Act 2017 Scheme: Overlays guiding document for Heritage Victoria. In 2017, and as a recommendation of The only Overlays that apply to Melbourne The Statement of Significance for the Yarra River Action Plan, the State Gardens are three Heritage Overlays, Melbourne Gardens and Melbourne Government passed the Yarra River written to reflect the State registration Observatory sites were updated in the Protection (Willip-gin Birrarung Murron) and a City Link Project Overlay (CLPO) Conservation Management Plan (2018), Act 2017 to identify and protect the crossing the site at H Gate. and the RBGV are working with the Yarra River and the public land it flows The City Link Project Overlay has the Heritage Council of Victoria to revise the through as “one living, integrated natural intention of providing for the smooth Victorian Heritage Register to reflect the entity”68 . The Act recognises the role of construction and operation of the new Statements of Significance. the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people as City Link roads. The area within RBGV the custodians of the river and the lands 4.8.3 controlled land is covered by the overlay through which it flows, and is the first Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 due to its proximity to the below ground Act in Victoria to use the language of the Sites within the Gardens with the and is not near any visible Traditional Owners in its title and text. The potential to be Aboriginal places are toll roads. Under the CLPO a permit or Act establishes a new statutory body, the protected under the Aboriginal Heritage permission from the Minister is required Birrarung Council, to provide a voice for Act 2006 and its 2016 amendment. The for outdoor “Advertising Signage”. As the Yarra River. The Yarra Strategic Plan, Act provides guidelines to assist land Melbourne Gardens is not near visible currently being developed by Melbourne managers to identify which places are City Link Roads, there should not be any Water, is also a requirement of the Act. most likely to be Aboriginal Places. For valid objections if a permit for advertising example, all areas within 200m of a 4.8.5 signage was ever sought. current or previous waterway have this City of Melbourne Planning The Heritage Overlays covering potential and are therefore designated to Scheme: Zoning Melbourne Gardens (HO396, HO402 be areas of “Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Land within Melbourne Gardens is and HO398) reflect the three Victorian Sensitivity” under the Act. Regardless covered by two planning zones under the Heritage Register listings for the place. of the designation of any site, there is Planning and Environment Act 1987. The Under the Heritage Overlay no permit a legal obligation under the Act for the main portion of the Gardens is zoned as is required “to develop a heritage place land manager to protect all Aboriginal Public Park and Recreation (PPRZ with no which is included on the Victorian artefacts which may be found, and to put specified schedules), and the Melbourne Heritage Register” because a permit measures in place to prevent damage to Observatory and Gardens House zoned as will instead be required from Heritage yet unrecorded artefacts. Public Use Zone–Other Public Use (PUZ7). Victoria. As a result of this exemption the The majority of Melbourne Gardens has It should be noted that there are anomalies Heritage Overlays do not have any impact been designated as an area of Aboriginal between the historic boundaries and the on the management of the Gardens. Cultural Heritage Sensitivity due to its extent of these planning controls. The two proximity to the Yarra River. However, zonings are similar in intent, with the Public the RBGV Aboriginal Heritage Values Park and Recreation Zoning being the document, produced in consultation with most prescriptive. the Traditional Owners, recommends that Under the Public Use Zone, a permit is given the topography and location of the required to subdivide land, but no other Gardens, and their relatively undisturbed works are listed as requiring a permit. The nature, that the entire site be considered schedule to the zone does not affect any culturally sensitive and be managed RBGV controlled land. accordingly. The mechanism for doing this under the Act is through the production The Public Park and Recreation Zone and implementation of a Cultural Heritage has a specific exemption from permit Management Plan (CHMP), developed in requirements for works carried out by consultation with the Traditional Owners. or on behalf of the public land manager, The production of a site-wide CHMP is a which includes RBGV. This means that recommendation of the Master Plan. RBGV does not require a permit for works.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 51 The Tan Track circling the Melbourne Gardens and Domain is a Melbourne icon

4.8.7 Under the Overlay any permit application The Federal Disability Discrimination City of Melbourne Design and is required to demonstrate that it achieves Act 1992 is of particular interest as it has Development Overlay Schedule 15 each of the design objectives. A maximum significant implications for the supply Design and Development Overlays relate building height of 12 metres also applies. of equitable access into and around the to design and built form and have the Design Development Overlay only applies Gardens and its buildings. to private land on the Gardens’ eastern and flexibility to respond to site specific 4.8.9 southern boundaries and to the Domain requirements. Melbourne Gardens’ Non-Statutory Registrations landscape is protected from intrusive Road corridor west of Hope Street. It does The National Trust Victoria, a community development on surrounding land by not cover either Melbourne Gardens or based, non-governmental organisation, schedule 15 to the Design and Development Domain Parklands but provides for its maintains a register of heritage sites, Overlay, which specifically relates to the protection in a way which supports the including significant trees. National Trust protection of Melbourne Gardens. Schedule aims of the Master Plan. listing does not come with any statutory 15 has the following design objectives: 4.8.8 authority, although it is a professional Other Legislative Controls To preserve the landscape qualities and assessment and carries significant amenity of the Royal Botanic Gardens The following State and Federal weight with the public. Of most and to foster vegetation growth in the Government legislation also govern the relevance to Melbourne Gardens is the Gardens work undertaken by RBGV. The following National Trust’s Register of Significant are particularly relevant to management Trees, which includes 32 (living) trees To ensure that the enjoyment of the Royal of the landscape: or groups within Melbourne Gardens. Botanic Gardens is not diminished by This gives Melbourne Gardens one of overshadowing or visual intrusion from Environment Protection and Biodiversity the highest concentrations of significant any new buildings or works Conservation Act 1999 (Federal) trees in the State. To minimise detrimental wind impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander the Royal Botanic Gardens Heritage Protection Act 1984 (Federal) To ensure that any new development or Building Act 1993 (Federal) redevelopment is compatible with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 existing scale and character of buildings (Federal) in the area Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 To protect the residential amenity of the (State) area. Environment Protection Act 1970 (State).

52 Aerial view of the Melbourne Gardens looking across the Arid and Drylands Precinct to the city

4.9 Our Vision: Life is sustained and 4.9.2 enriched by plants Corporate Plan DOCUMENTS AND POLICIES Our vision is a flourishing community and The most recent Royal Botanic Gardens Current operations at RBGV are guided healthy planet, sustained and enriched Victoria Corporate Plan 2014-2019 sets by several internal planning and external by plants. Through iconic landscapes, out the priorities and performance policy documents. The following horticultural excellence and scientific indicators for the organisation over a documents and policies have direct eminence we will make an enduring specific period. That Corporate Plan implications for the Master Plan, and will contribution to this vision. includes the following four themes: become reference documents as the Plants, along with fungi and algae, are Master Plan is implemented. 1. Discovery and sharing knowledge fundamental to life on Earth. They provide Inspiring plant learning 4.9.1 the air we breathe, the food we eat, many 2. Vision, Mission and Values of the medicines that heal us, and habitat 3. Creating special places As the organisation’s key strategic and shelter for our planet’s wildlife. They 4. Towards a sustainable future. statements, the vision, mission give our lives meaning and inspiration. and values guided Master Plan We prosper and our planet benefits when Each theme was supported by long-term development. However, at time of we understand, appreciate and protect strategies for action and measurement publication, a new Corporate Plan plants for their life-giving qualities. The over the life of the plan. A new Corporate is underway, with some pending actions we all take should be based on our Plan is in development. realignment of aims and objectives. knowledge and respect for plants. Our Mission: Safeguarding plants for the wellbeing of people and the planet Our Values:

Creative We are inventive and enthusiastic

Open We make time to listen, learn and be clear

Brave We have the courage to change things

Remarkable We leave a lasting impression.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 53 4.9.3 4.9.4 CMPs are limited in scope, and only Landscape Succession Strategy Consolidated Engagement and address the heritage conservation The Landscape Succession Strategy Impact Strategy requirements of the site, and not the Melbourne Gardens 2016-36 provides The Consolidated Engagement and wider operational and landscape needs a framework to protect Melbourne Impact Strategy 2017–2020 sets of the Master Plan. The CMP provides Gardens and adapt the landscape to the growth and participation targets actions to conserve the heritage fabric of likely impacts of future climate change, for the Gardens in alignment with the Gardens, while allowing for change, dwindling water supplies, ageing plant Biodiversity 2037, City of Melbourne recognising that “the continual evolution of populations and plant health threats. plans for a resilient city, the Visitor this landscape is accepted, and expected 69 Central to this document is the need to Economy Strategy 2020 and other to continue over time.” As such, the conserve the Gardens’ character while related policies in Health, Education, policies and actions identifi ed by the adapting to change. To do this the Aboriginal representation and Creative CMP are refl ected in the Master Plan document identifi ed fi ve key strategies Industries. The Strategy describes major recommendations. with associated actions: actions for the organisation in fulfi lling The full Conservation Management Plan: its vision and mission for increased and Melbourne Gardens and Melbourne 1. Actively manage and transition deepened engagement with individuals, Observatory, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne Gardens landscape and families, international visitors and local Victoria, is extensive, over 600 pages plant collections communities. The strategy provides across fi ve volumes. The Policies included 2. Establish a mixed-age selection of detailed targets, actions, functional area in this document are yet to be considered plants composed of a high diversity of plans, desired impact, outcomes and by the Board. taxa success measures for this goal area. 4.9.6 3. Maximise sustainable water use and 4.9.5 Aboriginal Heritage Values Conservation Management Plan supply security A principal recommendation of the In preparation for the Master Plan, a 4. Maximise the benefi ts of the green CMP was to undertake further work Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for space and built environment through to understand the tangible and the Melbourne Gardens and Melbourne landscape design intangible cultural heritage values of the Observatory sites was commissioned in descendants of the Woiwurrung and 5. Improve understanding of the impacts 2015 and completed in 2018. The CMP Boonwurrung peoples—the Traditional of climate change on botanical identifi es the heritage signifi cance of the Owners of the land that is now Melbourne landscapes. Gardens (including the Observatory and Gardens. This work was recognised as The Landscape Succession Strategy is Herbarium) and provides conservation being a priority and crucial to the Master a key driver of the Master Plan and its policies to protect this signifi cance. It also Plan, and was therefore commissioned listed actions are refl ected in Master Plan provides a valuable record of the history and completed in 2017 by Context Pty recommendations. and heritage fabric of the place. Ltd. The resulting document provides a

The Melbourne Observatory is home to many historic telescopes

54 comprehensive and valuable history of Identifying Aboriginal pre-contact Interpreting the many seasons of the Melbourne Gardens and its associated heritage through the preparation of a Kulin Nation values to the Traditional Owners. Cultural Heritage Management Plan Working collaboratively and proactively The nature of the Aboriginal Heritage Recognising and reading the indigenous with the Traditional Owners Values document is such that it needs landscape and acknowledging its value to Working collaboratively with surrounding to be considered in its entirety and the Traditional Owners land managers to allow the indigenous underpins both the Master Plan and Understanding and acknowledging landscape to be read as a whole. future development work in the Gardens. the importance of the original river In addition to Master Plan outcomes, it (Birrarung) and lagoon (Tromgin) and also identifi es opportunities for RBGV recognising it in the Birrarung Gate engagement, interpretation, Learning development and Participation programs and strategic management, although living and Exploring the possibility of creating a intangible culture were out of scope of the ceremonial space in the Gardens report. Recommendations and outcomes Using the important view lines to tell the specifi c to the development of the Master stories of the place Plan include:

The Ornamental Lake and original course of Birrarung (the Yarra), as per the 1894 Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works survey plans. The original landscape, including the river can be seen in the Gardens today, and are of importance to the Traditional Owners

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 55 Majestic specimens on Oak Lawn

4.9.7 4.9.8 developing a concept which concealed Living Collections Strategy Tree Strategy the laboratories and work spaces in a The Melbourne Gardens Living The Tree Strategy is currently under review series of underground vaults, converted Collections Strategy 2020–2040 guides and builds on the Strategic Tree Plan the 1934 building into a public gallery the selection, curation and management 2009–18 to guide the management and and visitor centre, and created a new of the Melbourne Gardens’ living succession of the trees at the Melbourne pedestrian plaza and Children’s Garden collections and is reviewed on a fi ve- and Cranbourne Gardens. These include entrance along the Dallas Brooks Drive yearly basis. The new Strategy has been recommendations to protect existing alignment. It also provided preliminary developed collaboratively with the Master trees, reduce risk, build climate resilience studies for the Lakeside Conservatory Plan. The Strategy provides themes and and implement the Master Plan and and transformation of the current Visitor criteria for assessing collections and Landscape Succession Strategy—guarding Centre and restaurant into a new Learning identifi es current collections which are the long-term health of the tree canopy and Participation Centre. The conceptual under threat. It also provides a list of and protecting the living collections. work of Kerstin Thompson Architects is potential future collections. The management of the tree canopy at incorporated into the Master Plan and Melbourne Gardens is a proactive process, has signifi cantly informed planning and The main driver in the future management overseen by the Manager Arboriculture. advocacy for the Precinct project. of the living collections is responding to Tree removal and planting decisions are climate change and implementing the With $5 million funding from the Victorian made in consultation with the Executive Landscape Succession Strategy. This will Government for a feasibility and design Director Melbourne Gardens and result in collections which focus on plants study in 2019, John Wardle Architects Landscape Architect with consideration for suited to Melbourne’s climate and soil was appointed as principal architects to Landscape Succession, living collections conditions, rather than applying historical progress the concept plan to detailed management, heritage, the Master Plan practices which signifi cantly alter the schematic design and staging. Kerstin and Tree Strategy. This approach ensures growing conditions to suit the plant “as Thompson Architects was appointed to that the canopy is always managed in a result, greater emphasis will be placed design the Sta Accommodation project. accordance with best practice. on developing collection holdings that Laidlaw & Laidlaw Design was appointed as contain fl ora from temperature and rainfall 4.9.9 project landscape architects, and ASPECT niches that are comparable to Melbourne’s Nature and Science Precinct Studios as place makers for the Precinct. future climate conditions, while still Conceptual Building Master Plan Extensive work has been completed on the design of the underground vault and maintaining the style and character of the Design of the built form elements 70 associated scientifi c laboratories, and for landscape” . of the Nature and Science Precinct the increased public use of the existing required expert architectural input, National Herbarium of Victoria building. and Kerstin Thompson Architects Further options for the Nature and Science was appointed in 2018 to produce the Precinct program as a whole will be Nature and Science Precinct Conceptual considered over future years, with new Building Master Plan. This document concepts and proposals released for public tested previously identifi ed options reference and comment. for siting the Herbarium, eventually

56 View of the Yarra River from Birrarung Marr looking towards the city

4.9.10 and the ongoing development of the environmental tourism. The Climate Domain Parklands Master Plan Yarra River Action Plan by Melbourne Change Adaption Plan recognises the A strong driver to produce the Master Water. Both documents allow for current e ects of climate change and Plan was the concurrent development of the protection of the Yarra River and outlines strategies to allow Victoria to the City of Melbourne’s Domain Parklands its surrounding parklands, giving it adapt. Again, the work of RBGV supports Master Plan, which was completed statutory protection as an entity and this, especially concerning evidence- in early 2019. Relevant to Melbourne recognising the intrinsic connection of based decision making, and through the Gardens are the recommendations the Traditional Owners to the river, and work of the Landscape Succession, and made concerning: road narrowing and their role in its custodianship and care. Engagement and Impact strategies. Importantly for RBGV, the document closures, changes to private vehicle and 4.9.13 and Act recognise the Yarra, and the bus parking arrangements, the pedestrian Global Strategy for Plant hundreds of parcels of public land link to Anzac Station, potential for a new Conservation 2011–2020 roundabout at F Gate, wayfi nding through surrounding it, as a single entity. The Australia is a signatory to the international the Domain, and a potential tree top walk aims of these documents and the Act Convention on Biological Diversity, and starting at the rear of the Sidney Myer mirror those of RBGV and there is likely by extension the adopted Global Strategy Music Bowl and ending near Lych Gate. to be signifi cant collaboration with the newly established Birrarung Council as for Plant Conservation 2011–2020. The The development of both Master Plans the Master Plan is implemented. strategy looks at plant conservation at all informed each other, with extensive levels, genetic diversity, plant species and consultation between the two design 4.9.12 their associated ecosystems. The work of teams. As a result, the work of the City State Government Policies RBGV and its Herbarium is fundamental of Melbourne and RBGV is ongoing Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and to the understanding of plants and work and collaborative, allowing each this Master Plan support delivery of the required to conserve them. The Master organisation to support the aims wider aims of the State Government, Plan recommendations assist this strategy of the other and strengthening the particularly in relation to Protecting by making recommendations which relationship into the future. Victoria’s Environment: Biodiversity 2037 support and care for the living collections and Victoria’s Climate Change Adaption and State Botanical Collection. 4.9.11 Plan 2017–2020. Yarra River Plans Over the three-year development of Biodiversity 2037 outlines a Victorian the Master Plan, signifi cant changes Government plan to stop the decline in occurred at a State Government level native species and encourage Victorians about the management and care to value and act for nature. The work of the Yarra River. In 2017 the Yarra of RBGV supports this work through River Action Plan (Wilip-gin Birrarung the provision of evidenced-based data murron) was released, leading to on species management, building passing the new Yarra River Protection climate resilience, excellence in water (Willip-gin Birrarung Murron) Act 2017 management and harnessing world-class

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 57 5 Development Guidelines Rose Pavilion

Development Guidelines are not limited to any one part of the Gardens. Instead they provide recommended solutions to identified problems that affect the management of the whole site and have implications across functional work groups.

The need to find balanced solutions to often opposing demands on the landscape is the focus. For example, balancing the demand for engagement activity with pressure on the landscape, and the need to recognise the indigenous landscape alongside maintenance of the 19th century picturesque Gardens.

The Development Guidelines strive to address these challenges. By working collaboratively across work groups, they endeavour to create a landscape that preserves what is important, while providing a world-class experience, and lifelong learning for visitors.

5.1 HERITAGE

Heritage is embedded in our landscape, from the Key Objectives

Country of the Traditional Owners to the landscapes ɳ Increase the recognition of the of Mueller, Guilfoyle and successive designers. This Traditional Owners in the landscape, their values and connection to Country heritage is living—embracing and protecting the past ɳ Conserve the value of the European while allowing for change. It recognises all aspects of heritage of the site and complement it the Gardens’ heritage, expanding beyond the traditional through sensitive contemporary design ɳ Promote the Gardens’ heritage to post-1835 approach. The Development Guidelines increase its international profile celebrate all aspects of this cultural heritage while keeping the Gardens relevant and contemporary.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 59 Challenges The opportunity exists for the Gardens ɳ Develop the Birrarung Gate and The history of Melbourne Gardens to further harness its heritage values and Long Island precinct to interpret the is deeply valued by visitors and consider recognition through further Aboriginal values of the place and staff. The European heritage is well heritage listing. The Gardens have a good indigenous landscape relationship with the Australian Heritage documented and protected by inclusion ɳ Reflect the Aboriginal history of the Council concerning works on the site. on the Victorian Heritage Register site in naming practices and National Heritage List (for the Existing State heritage registration adds Melbourne Observatory), and by the a complex planning layer to projects but ɳ Develop or expand a living collection implementation of the Conservation has been simplified by permit exemptions. which explores plants of significance Management Plan (2018). Meanwhile, external registration does not to the Traditional Owners including always protect the Gardens against the celebration of the many seasons The Aboriginal heritage values of the damaging effects of incremental change. ɳ Engage with the Traditional Owners in site have been recognised more recently, The recently completed Conservation the design and development of new particularly those of the peoples of Management Plan further clarifies and projects where Aboriginal values are the Kulin Nation. In 2017, the Gardens consolidates the Gardens’ history, while present or represented commissioned a report Aboriginal staff knowledge and education is also Heritage Values: Melbourne Gardens critical to protect its heritage. ɳ Work with the Traditional Owners to which provides a clear direction and develop an interpretation program to recommended actions. This report Actions recognise connections to Country and includes extensive background and 1. Recognise the Aboriginal the landscape suggests many ways to recognise the Heritage Values of the site ɳ long relationship of the Traditional Work with the City of Melbourne, ɳ Engage with the Traditional Owners Owners with the site. Shrine of Remembrance and and qualified consultants to develop Government House to interpret the a site-wide Cultural Heritage wider landscape, including as a part of Management Plan (CHMP), preferably a Nature and Science Precinct as a joint project with neighbouring ɳ land managers Where appropriate include intangible heritage as a layer in design and interpretation.

Bush foods at Melbourne Gardens

60 2. Manage Melbourne Gardens in ɳ Retain and conserve elements 3. Recognise the place for sensitive accordance with the Conservation identified as ‘Significant’ in the CMP contemporary design in Melbourne Management Plan and manage any proposed changes in Gardens accordance with the CMP policies ɳ Develop an implementation plan, ɳ Recognise the living nature of the for approval by the Board, of the ɳ Where possible, retain and conserve Gardens’ history, and the need to Conservation Management Plan (CMP) elements identified as ‘Contributory’ embrace change to develop the social, policies and actions in the CMP and manage any proposed aesthetic and scientific value of the site changes in accordance with the CMP ɳ Use the cultural heritage values defined ɳ Continue to support good policies in the CMP, and its policies (Chapter 7, contemporary design that respects and Volume 1), Statements of Significance ɳ Recognise and define the character enhances the Guilfoyle landscape and individual assessments to guide differences between the landscape ɳ Continue to maintain the landscape all use, management and development of the Original Botanic Gardens and and plant collections as the drivers of decisions the Melbourne Observatory, including the built form. installing interpretation to clearly ɳ Use the Guilfoyle 1909 plan to define identify the Melbourne Observatory the aesthetic significance of the landscape and retain all landscape ɳ Replace Significant or Outstanding features from that time trees with a species with the same values as the original where the original ɳ Based on the CMP, develop all site species in the same location is not maps locating elements of significance acceptable. and incorporate these details into the Gardens’ mapping database ɳ Give priority to the retention and conservation of elements identified as ‘Outstanding’ in the CMP and manage any proposed changes in accordance with CMP policies

The Tecoma Rest House, seen here in its original form, has recently been restored, guided by the Conservation Management Plan Image courtesy of State Library of Victoria Rotunda Band Stand, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 61 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER PLAN

Restore historic rockwork and Directors' Roll Restore historic views across Restore and expand rustic rockwork the Ornamental Lake around the Temple of the Winds

Replace Clematis Shelter Restore and plant the as part of Birrarung Gate Rain Tree Bed Rockery DOMAIN development New Lakeside Conservatory PARKLANDS Restore views to to act as folly CHARACTER Plant Craft Cottage ZONE Restore and plant Relocate Lakeview Touchwood Ruin Rest House to act as focal point

Restore views and reshape garden beds on Tennyson Lawn

GOVERNMENT HOUSE TOWER HOPETOUN LAWN

New ornamental bridges

Restore character of the Melbourne ORNAMENTAL Observatory. Contemporary LAKE interpretation of historic Guilfoyle design combined with utilitarian path system LAKESIDE CONSERVATORY MELBOURNE TENNYSON LAWN OBSERVATORY Restore views to CHARACTER Central Lake ZONE ROBINETTE CHILDREN'S FERN GULLY ROCKERY GARDEN ROCKERIES CHARACTER ORIGINAL ZONE BOTANIC GARDENS CHARACTER OAK ZONE LAWN VOLCANO ROCKERIES

EUCALYPT LAWN Rework beds to restore the picturesque landscape in Herb and Medicinal Garden redevelopment

Restore Fern Gully entrance rockeries Rework Ellis Stones Rockery, garden beds and wetland to Rework Rare and Threatened and Grass Garden restore foreground to beds to restore picturesque landscape

0 metres 100 Nymphaea Lily Lake N

LEGEND Existing picturesque folly focal point Guilfoyle picturesque 'mass'

New picturesque folly focal point Guilfoyle picturesque 'void'

Major / minor rustic rockery focal point Guilfoyle picturesque 'arboretum'

Historic bower / arch with improved detailing Wetland reduction to restore open water void Historic bower placed back into landscape (currently in storage or inappropriately placed)

Historic view to be restored

62 5.2 LANDSCAPE

The picturesque landscape designed by William Key Objectives

Guilfoyle inspires a sense of wellbeing and is integral ɳ Conserve the landscape character and to the heritage, beauty and popularity of the Gardens. plant diversity of Melbourne Gardens at all times One of the most important roles of the Master Plan is ɳ Provide high quality-built form which to protect the precious landscape while allowing for complements the landscape and has change. The Development Guidelines for the landscape exemplar sustainability standards ɳ Provide high quality water treatment aim to define and protect what is important, while and habitat while conserving the allowing the scientific and practical functions of the picturesque landscape Gardens to occur. ɳ Provide for the safe and efficient movement of vehicles and materials around the Gardens

5.2.1 Shelter and lodges at A Gate and B ɳ Restore and reshape garden beds, Landscape Character Gate. Today the bridges in particular lawn areas and key focal points to Challenges lack character and sit prosaically in the restore the Guilfoyle mass and void landscape with little definition from the in accordance with the Landscape One of the fundamental roles of the main path system and little sense of Character Plan (page 62) Master Plan is to define and conserve crossing the water. the character of Melbourne Gardens ɳ Address narrow, shaded lawn areas by and protect it against inappropriate Actions reshaping beds development. All new buildings and 1. Conserve Guilfoyle’s picturesque ɳ Gradually install steel edging to all major landscape developments need to landscape as described in Section garden beds as budgets allow or new respond to the Gardens’ unique character 4.4.1 and the Landscape Character projects are implemented and sense of place, respecting the Plan (page 62) picturesque and original traditions. All ɳ Replace Eel Bridge and Long Island built components must be sensitive to ɳ Conserve the picturesque Guilfoyle bridges with new picturesque scale and balance, becoming an integral landscape as described in Section 4.4 structures. Each bridge must be part of the landscape. Recommendations within the Original Botanic Gardens designed as a focal point in the made in the Master Plan aim to improve Character Zone landscape while meeting all functional this important balance. ɳ Restore significant view lines across requirements (see Section 6.13, and Landscape Character Plan, page 62) Melbourne Gardens has a strong and the Gardens in accordance with the unifying landscape character described Landscape Character Plan (page 62) ɳ Repair the historic rockeries and restore in detail in Section 4.4. The landscape is a and recommendations made in the them as picturesque focal points for contrived view of nature, predominantly Conservation Management Plan displaying feature plants (see Section created in the picturesque/gardenesque ɳ Restore and maintain important lawn 6.16, and Landscape Character Plan, style with sympathetic modern additions, void space by removing and planting page 62) but this character can be easily eroded. lawn specimen trees with respect for ɳ Relocate Lakeview Rest House from its Past encroachments include the mass the significant view lines and void current position behind the Tea Rooms planting of rhododendrons and azaleas in spaces described in the Landscape to the Northern Border opposite the the 1940s, the replacement of ornamental Character Plan (page 62) Rain Tree Bed buildings and structures in the 1960s and the Herbarium extension in 1988. ɳ Respect the Guilfoyle mass and void ɳ Replace Clematis Shelter with a Smaller, incremental changes have also as generally shown in the Landscape contemporary landscape folly as part diluted the character, including garden Character Plan (page 62) and interpret of the Birrarung Gate development (see bed creep, inappropriate tree planting in with an intimate knowledge of the Section 6.15) physical landscape and its picturesque view lines and, more recently, vigorous ɳ Restore lost historic bowers to the principles wetland planting. In some situations, landscape in accordance with the unsympathetic additions such as the Herb ɳ Place built form sensitively in the Landscape Character Plan, page 62. Garden and the Ellis Stones Rockery have landscape with respect to the ɳ Make bowers more inviting by cladding also come at the expense of Guilfoyle’s challenges described above and seats with timber and adding paving picturesque design. Section 4.4.4 and plant detailing. In the 1960s several decorative Victorian ɳ Develop detailed concept plans for buildings and rustic follies were replaced new landscape projects as detailed in by utilitarian structures. These included Chapter 6, Future Developments Eel and Long Island bridges, the Clematis

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 63 The staff car park at the Melbourne Observatory is to be landscaped and returned to public open space

2. Restore the landscape character ɳ Interpret the historic boundary between 4. Conserve the planting character of the Melbourne Observatory in the Melbourne Observatory and the of the Gardens as described in accordance with Section 4.4.2, Domain using landscape treatment Sections 4.4.6 and 4.4.7 (page Melbourne Observatory (page 37) and shrub beds, providing enclosure 41-46), and use this to guide the while allowing passive observation and implementation of the Landscape ɳ Conserve and enhance the Melbourne movement from the Domain Succession Strategy Observatory Character Zone as distinctly different from the Original ɳ Strengthen the landscape ɳ Develop design intent and planting Botanic Gardens, and the general interpretation of the Meridian line and character statements for all garden beds Domain Parklands character remove visual clutter ɳ Create more highlights of ornamental ɳ Remove the staff car park and fences ɳ Limit tall tree planting to site planting with colour and textural to re-establish a connection between boundaries outside telescope view lines contrast at focal points in the landscape the Great Melbourne Telescope ɳ Minimise the impact of new artificial ɳ Increase plant detailing at all entrances House and other Melbourne light on the Melbourne Observatory Observatory buildings ɳ Continue to improve the planting ɳ Work with astronomical experts, design detail where the green curtain ɳ Establish a contemporary landscape including Museums Victoria, during lacks understorey. treatment which interprets the historic detailed design. character of low, picturesque style planting beds, botanical richness, open 3. Preserve the remaining character lawns and utilitarian paths zones described on the Landscape ɳ Maintain the historic buildings as Character Plan (page 62) the dominant visual features in ɳ Maintain the Domain Parklands the landscape Character Zone as an open arboretum as described in Section 4.4.1 ɳ Maintain the Children’s Garden Character Zone in accordance with the description in Section 4.4.3

64 BUILT FORM AND LEARNING AND PARTICIPATION PLAN

Plant Craft Cottage: Use to be determined New entrance building. Commercial kiosk street side, visitor services on Gardens side.

Explore option for new toilet New Learning and Participation and commercial space. block in conjunction with City of Hidden garden pavilion concealed in slope for all weather Melbourne Learning and Participation activities and bag-store.

Lakeside Conservatory - major new building. "Habitat for humans" passive public use with additional function room, offices, shop, cafe and Learning and Participation spaces CITY GATE Expand toilets to cater for increased use Great Melbourne NORTH Telescope House to be GATE Birrarung Gate covered restored to hold the refurbished Learning and Participation Great Melbourne Telescope. space

Use of all buildings on Melbourne BIRRARUNG Observatory site to be determined LAKEVIEW TERRACE GATE REST HOUSE GATE Current building repurposed into new Learning and Participation Centre WILDWOOD LONG ISLAND TOILETS New toilet block on Government House Border to service Wild Wood and new marquee site New marina for lake tenant and maintenance vessels ROSE EAST PAVILION GATE

MELBOURNE EASTERN OBSERVATORY CENTRAL LODGE OBSERVATORY LAWN TOILETS GATE MAIN GATE FERN GULLY CHILDREN'S REST HOUSE GARDEN TECOMA GUILFOYLE Herbarium: OAK REST HOUSE GATE Renovated building and vault to LAWN house the National Herbarium of MUELLER Victoria, Visitor Centre and principal GATE visitor experience spaces. GUILFOYLE'S VOLCANO

F Gate Lodge: Use to be determined DOMAIN ROAD GATE Redesign Works Yard: Building use to be determined in SOUTH Building MP with focus on staff accommodation GATE Expand toilets to cater E Gate Lodge: Use to be determined for increased use

0 metres 100 N Purpose built ticket and projector box. Work with Eastern Lodge use to be Moonlight Cinema to replace current arrangement with determined. Opportunity for structures that sit sensitively in the landscape site storage LEGEND Building: Use determined by Master Plan

Building: Use to be determined as part of the Accommodation Review Master Plan

Purpose built screened tenant storage

Landscape shelter and folly

Covered Learning and Participation space

Open Learning and Participation space

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 65 The landscape around Plant Craft Cottage is to be reinvigorated

5.2.2 effective amenity for visitors. The 2. Design all new buildings and Built Form Observatory and Herbarium will form key structures to take into account the Challenges components of the Gardens’ new Nature landscape with consideration for and Science Precinct development. the Landscape Character Zone in Buildings in Melbourne Gardens are which they sit placed as either picturesque follies, Actions creating important view lines, or as 1. Assess the capacity of the ɳ Design new buildings to be exemplar complementary features such as the Gardens current and planned suite models of whole of life cycle historic Gate Lodges. It is important that of buildings to accommodate sustainability, including embodied all new buildings sit sympathetically in future requirements and energy, inputs, running costs and the landscape and are of outstanding commence planning to address any maintenance architectural merit. shortfall ɳ Design all new built form to take into The accommodation of new built form ɳ Repurpose the existing National account the landscape character in the landscape will be a significant Herbarium building and Visitor Centre descriptions (provided in the challenge for Melbourne Gardens over in line with the new plan for the Nature Challenges above), in Section 4.4 and the next 20 years. There are challenges and Science Precinct project descriptions in Chapter 6. in the management and use of our 3. Develop all small-scale buildings current buildings, particularly around ɳ Conduct an assessment of remaining to sit sensitively in the landscape the Melbourne Observatory, but there is built form including the Gate Lodges, and improve useability an identified need for the construction Eastern Lodge, Plant Craft Cottage, of several major new buildings. Most Works Yard and Observatory buildings, ɳ Design the hard landscaping of all important is a new National Herbarium of and develop an Accommodation new projects to be subservient to the Victoria building (Section 6.1) with a new Review Master Plan to address display of the plant collections Lakeside Conservatory also desired to accommodation requirements for staff, ɳ Develop a standard architectural detail strengthen the RBGV’s work as a world- programs, engagement ventures and for screened, inbuilt tenant storage leading botanic garden (Section 6.6). The the Friends and Volunteers. to be sensitively located within the return of the Great Melbourne Telescope, landscape in accordance with the Built while occurring within an existing heritage Form and Learning and Participation building, will change the dynamic and Plan, page 65 visitor experience of the Melbourne Observatory site, which currently lacks

66 ɳ Develop landscape design concepts While ephemeral or temporary art has ɳ Do not install permanent art pieces for each of the historic lodges to a deserved place in this landscape, unless they serve a wider landscape accommodate any new functional and permanent pieces of art must be purpose and/or are integral to back-of-house requirements following considered more carefully. As a botanic Melbourne Gardens’ picturesque confirmation of their long-term use garden designed in the picturesque style, landscape permanent artworks must demonstrate ɳ Rework the landscape around Plant ɳ Assess and locate ephemeral works restraint to a reasonable degree. Craft Cottage to improve accessibility, with consideration to the sensitivity remove unsafe elements and improve Actions analysis described in the Landscape the design integrity of the area 1. Improve partnerships with other Sensitivity Plan, page 76-77. public art institutions ɳ Rework the back-of-house landscaping 3. As historic and significant trees of Gate Lodge to fit more comfortably ɳ Carefully review requests for are lost develop them as ‘fallen within the open Observatory landscape permanent or major temporary giants’ art projects art works through the Gardens’ ɳ Incorporate F Gate Lodge with the ɳ Develop location plans and briefs for Programming and Audience wider Nature and Science Precinct the use of timber from individual trees Development group. landscaping which have already been lost, and work ɳ Maintain a level of architectural 2. Support appropriate art with artists and furniture makers to consistency between the building at installation across the site sculpt them to interpret their stories Terrace Gate (A), event ticketing and ɳ Where appropriate include artists in ɳ Interpret the deceased Separation Tree projector boxes, and the information pod. the design and construction of new as a fallen giant, using the original tree landscape projects and site to create something which 5.2.3 reflects the tree’s life and significance, Public Art in the Landscape ɳ Encourage ephemeral art projects acknowledging the significant such as performance, exhibitions Challenges Aboriginal and European history or temporary sculptural works that Public gardens are often under pressure associated with this tree contribute to meeting the Gardens’ to become repositories for artworks, in objectives ɳ Ensure all timber from significant trees particular sculpture. In recent years there is retained and stored appropriately. have been a small number of permanent sculptural pieces installed in Melbourne Gardens including the von Mueller bust, Guilfoyle sculpture, Neutrino and the Magic Pudding.

The Magic Pudding sculpture in the Children’s Garden is one of the few pieces of public art in the landscape

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 67 LAKE SYSTEM AND ENVIRONMENT PLAN

Optimise the Long Island Backwater for habitat and ecological wetlands in accordance with recommendations made in the wetland technical review. Ecological measures such as diverse, marginal plants and snag accumulation to be encouraged

HUNTINGFIELD LAWN AMPHITHEATRE A Gate wetlands to be an indigenous wetland and habitat area to augment Birrarung Gate development

Remove sediment build up in key areas to facilitate punting and harvestor access Relocate floating island LONG ISLAND BACKWATER New ornamental bridges

LONG Relocate floating island ISLAND

Reduce visual impact of marginal wetlands around Eel Bridge and relocate floating island ORNAMENTAL LAKE New marina for lake tenant and maintenance vessels

New ornamental bridge SOUTHERN CROSS LAWN CENTRAL LAKE

FERN GULLY

GUILFOYLE'S CANNA RAIN VOLCANO GARDEN

NYMPHAEA LILY LAKE AUSTRALIAN EUCALYPT FOREST WALK LAWN

Provide access for aquatic harvester to Central Lake Increase foreground water in Nymphaea Lily Lake by reducing tall planting. Remove tall planting in Ellis Stones

0 metres 100 N Rockery to reinstate Guilfoylian views of the water

LEGEND Lakes and water bodies

Areas to be targeted for dredging and sediment removal

Locations suitable for marginal wetland planting for water treatment

Reduce wetland planting to restore views

Ecological wetland areas (seasonal draw down, indigenous planting and snag accumulation)

Areas suitable for sub-storey habitat creation (leaf litter, fallen giants, leaf litter accumulation etc.)

Increase shade trees over paths while maintaining important view lines

68 5.2.4 The last decade has seen the Actions Lake System implementation of the Working 1. Refine appropriate locations for Challenges Wetlands project. Water is collected wetlands from surrounding streets and treated by Melbourne Gardens has three main continual circulation through constructed ɳ A site-wide technical review of the ornamental water bodies: Ornamental wetlands, floating treatment wetlands current wetland treatment system to Lake, Central Lake and Nymphaea Lily and a rain garden. These measures are determine options for maintaining Lake. As picturesque features, the lakes an engineered solution and have been water quality while implementing were designed to be broad, sweeping highly successful, reducing algal blooms Master Plan recommendations planes of still water, providing scale and and eliminating excessive summer draw concerning the distribution of wetland balance to the Gardens. They are vital down and unsightly exposed mudflats. In plantings natural water bodies, providing habitat some cases however, the new treatment for native fauna close to the CBD. They ɳ Where water quality and quantity wetlands have come at the expense of were also central to the lives of the local can be sustained, restore significant the lakes’ picturesque view lines. Some Aboriginal people, being important view lines and open water in lakes by of the views across the lakes have been hunting and collecting grounds around reducing planting and floating wetlands lost due to dense aquatic planting that a natural lagoon known as “Tromgin”. in accordance with the Landscape has naturalised and dominated sections A tension exists between providing a Character Plan, page 62 of the water bodies. These have proven balance between this healthy habitat ɳ challenging to manage, with a need to Maintain the balance in wetland and the picturesque effect of the reduce their extent in certain areas. planting by establishing any new areas Guilfoyle landscape. of planting in accordance with Lake In the future there will be increased System and Environment Plan, page 68 demand for the Ornamental Lake to act ɳ as a storage reservoir as the Sustainable Allow habitat creation and snag Irrigation Project is implemented and the accumulation in the Long Island Gardens secure a long-term supply of Backwater and A Gate Wetlands. non-potable irrigation water.

Where appropriate the wood of ‘fallen giants’ is to be kept in the landscape, either for habitat or re-purposed by artists

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 69 Marginal wetlands and floating islands on the Ornamental Lake

2. Increase storage and draw down 3. Incorporate species selection 4. Create access routes for the capacity of the lake system into wetland management aquatic harvester ɳ A feasibility study to determine the ɳ Plant indigenous species in areas ɳ Develop plan and implement new technical and cost implications of large- around Long Island, the Backwater and access point for the aquatic harvester scale dredging of the lake, with the the indigenous promontory, avoiding at Central Lake. intent of commencing a staged process tall species that block view lines 5. Develop boat/harvester storage of sediment removal ɳ Plant suitable exotic species around facility and Marina ɳ Targeted dredging to maintain open the Tea Rooms/Lakeside Conservatory ɳ Expand current harvester/boat storage channels for punting and remove build and in Central and Nymphaea Lily area to cater for Gardens’ maintenance up around key lake margins (e.g. Picnic Lake, including control mechanisms to and tenant needs. Point) and drainage lines (e.g. Dog limit spread. Flat) with reference to the Lake System and Environment Plan, page 68 ɳ Maintain the Ornamental Lake’s optimum water level at 70–90%.

70 STORAGE AND VEHICLE MOVEMENT PLAN

Close Terrace Gate to vehicle traffic. Inbuilt tenant store behind toilets. Service Terrace directly from Anderson Street

Modify path to allow work vehicles to move past the rockery Provide vehicle turning for tenant and works vehicles as part of the Lakeside Conservatory Inbuilt tenant store and Expand Green Organics Recycling Centre to vehicle access to be EVENT cater for increased demand. Rework surrounding provided for Amphitheatre SPACE area to allow accommodation of inbuilt tenant event space storage and satellite work station. CITY GATE Upgrade Southern China garden shed as satellite workstation NORTH Satellite Inbuilt tenant store with screened GATE Service Birrarung Gate workstation outdoor storage area for Melbourne directly from Observatory event space Alexandra Avenue

Reinforce new bridges to allow truck access

BIRRARUNG GATE New marina for lake tenant and maintenance vessels TERRACE Vehicle access for storage LAKESIDE GATE and marquee site CONSERVATORY Work with Government House to explore options for shared operations facility MARQUEE SITE Explore option EAST for rear entrance GATE to Gardens MELBOURNE House OBSERVATORY ANDERSON CENTRAL STREET LAWN TRADE GATE OBSERVATORY EVENT GATE GARDENS SPACE HOUSE

MAIN EASTERN GATE LODGE MARQUEE SITE Close daily vehicle access from Gate Lodge GUILFOYLE MUELLER GATE Modify Dallas Brooks Drive to GATE create a pedestrian friendly plaza with controlled vehicle access MARQUEE SITE Decommission garden sheds

Redesign Works Yard to increase storage efficiency and ease BIRDWOOD vehicle congestion. Provide drive through vehicle access DOMAIN AVENUE SOUTH ROAD GATE TRADE GATE GATE Decommission garden shed Decommission garden shed Ticket booth to sit sympathetically and naturally

0 metres 100 Service block to be used N within the landscape and be consistent with other Gardens structures for tenant storage Establish new trade gate through Eastern Lodge as primary tenant and delivery and access point, replacing D and A Gates LEGEND Marked tenant and contractor access pathway Vehicle turning point

Marked tenant and contractor access pathway - alternative Sites to be considered as part of the strategic plan to deal path for shortest access route or restricted hours with storage and green waste across the site

Transitional tenant access - to be closed once no Green waste and/or materials store primary longer needed

Current daily vehicle access to be closed Green waste and/or materials secondary store and transfer station

Garden Explorer access route Satellite work station/tool store

Inbuilt and screened tenant storage

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 71 Salvaging timber from a ‘fallen giant’

5.2.5 reduces the efficiency of staff, as they rely Actions Vehicle Movement and Site on vehicles to transport materials and 1. Streamline the transfer and Storage equipment around the site but frequently storage of materials and waste Challenges have their path blocked. This is especially across the site problematic when maintenance vehicles Guilfoyle’s wide, sweeping path network are needed in areas frequented by onsite ɳ Develop a strategic plan to manage was originally designed for pedestrian use partners. Other areas of congestion storage and green waste across the only. However, as the range of activities occur where vehicles enter and exit the Gardens incorporating the Works Yard, offered within the Gardens grows, there has Works Yard. All this leads to reducing Green Organics Recycling Centre, been increasing pressure to accommodate the tranquillity of the site and negatively Gardens House northern corner, more vehicle access and storage space. impacting visitor experience. Eastern Lodge, the Lake service marina Some vehicles are required for Gardens’ and other sites as appropriate with maintenance including the Gardens’ The difficulty of vehicle movement is reference to the Storage and Vehicle truck, utility, gators, buggies and the worsened by the need for adequate Movement Plan, page 71 arboriculture truck. The Garden Explorer storage on site. Melbourne Gardens is in started operating in the Gardens in 2014 short supply of storage space, which may ɳ Redevelop the Works Yard to and provides important access across the reduce further with proposed changes improve storage and vehicle site. Other vehicles using the paths belong at the Melbourne Observatory end of the movement, possibly in conjunction to contractors carrying out works, or to Nature and Science Precinct. Storage is with the development of staff office service onsite partners such as food and required for bulk garden and construction accommodation and horticultural beverage providers and event organisers. materials, green waste, general waste, infrastructure options storage of hardware and furnishings and This increased vehicle movement has ɳ Expand the Green Organics Recycling for temporary storage for onsite partners. generated safety concerns, particularly Centre to cater for increased demand Ready access to storage areas can have as they enter and exit the site at A Gate, and allow the construction of screened considerable impact on the efficiency of Melbourne Observatory and along Dallas tenant storage and a satellite works Gardens’ staff and contractors. Increasing Brooks Drive. There is a continual risk space in the vicinity storage areas will provide the opportunity of damage to the plants, especially the to strengthen the Gardens’ biosecurity large trees, and to the Gardens’ ageing and sustainability protocols by expanding infrastructure. The congestion also recycling on site.

72 ɳ Consolidate satellite garden sheds, 2. Redevelop the Works Yard to ɳ Develop the new Birrarung Gate providing permeant tool outstations improve workplace efficiency and entrance to accommodate small vehicle at the Green Organics Recycling Yard, increase storage access Southern China shed and Eastern ɳ Develop a new plan for the Works Yard ɳ Incorporate the access to Government Lodge toilets; and removing, or which holistically looks at building and House into the Nature and Science repurposing other sheds with reference works area layout to maximise the use Precinct to accommodate vehicle to the Storage and Vehicle Movement of the space, and create an efficient access Plan, page 71 centre for cross-site operations ɳ Explore options to close vehicle access ɳ Work with Government House to ɳ Increase efficiency in vehicle movement through the Gate Lodge entrance at explore the option for a shared and parking, including providing a drive the Melbourne Observatory operations and storage area within the in, drive out access roadway grounds of Government House ɳ Close Terrace Gate (A) to all vehicles, ɳ Appropriately locate the fuelling creating an alternative second Trade ɳ Provide temporary green waste holding stations and vehicle wash down areas Gate via Eastern Lodge bays in strategic positions around the to ease access Gardens with reference to the Storage ɳ Restrict hours of access for tenant and and Vehicle Movement Plan, page 71 ɳ Provide vehicle wash down facilities in delivery vehicles to reinforce pedestrian the Works Yard and direct all contractor priority. ɳ Expand the green waste system to vehicles through this area to strengthen include soil recycling, space permitting biosecurity controls 4. Provide vehicle layoff areas ɳ Develop an integrated strategic plan ɳ Increase efficiencies in staff ɳ Provide a series of reinforced turf for improving the Gardens’ collection, accommodation including assessing layoff areas in appropriate locations recycling and treatment of general the use of the current buildings, along the narrow Northern Border and waste, including from events and onsite consideration of the removal of non- Southern Border paths, and elsewhere partners, with the eventual aim of heritage structures, and construction as required along the Garden Explorer recycling or composting all appropriate of new, fit for purpose buildings. route materials ɳ Utilise the paved ‘pop-up’ parking 3. Rationalise the movement of ɳ Provide purpose-built tenant storage spaces in high profile areas as parking vehicles through the site with reference to the Storage and bays for the information pod with Vehicle Movement Plan, page 71. ɳ Identify and mark access pathways reference to the Landscape Sensitivity for delivery, tenant and contractor Plan, page 76-77. vehicles with reference to the Storage and Vehicle Movement Plan, page 71. Reinforce asphalt and maintain suitable vegetation clearance along these paths

Mowing lawns with the Ornamental Lake and Government House Tower in the background

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 73 5.2.6 Actions ɳ Develop specifications for minor Landscape Infrastructure 1. Create a new palette of pathways to be a mix of cement Challenges landscape furnishings stabilised gravel, exposed aggregate concrete and mild steel decking The integrity and consistency of ɳ Develop appropriate specifications for consistent with existing details landscape infrastructure has regularly the full range of landscape furnishings been maintained through consultation including fixed and moveable ɳ Use a combination of engineered with the Landscape Architect, which benches, drinking fountains, bollards, timber decking and permeable has prevented detrimental incremental lights, boundary fences, tree guards, paving details to accommodate tree change. Establishing a series of steel edging, edging hoops, handrails roots where they are causing paving approved landscape details would and bins disturbance. Where needed this may assist long-term planning and ease the be combined with slight realignment heritage approvals process. ɳ Where appropriate, develop consistent, of paths. project specific details for individual A considerable amount of infrastructure precincts (previous examples include 3. Adhere to best practice in exists for the necessary operation of Fern Gully and Guilfoyle’s Volcano). the design and construction of the Gardens. These include roadways, sustainable infrastructure fences, gates, furnishings and services 2. Develop and rationalise such as power, water, sewerage, landscape details for the different ɳ Design new infrastructure to be telecommunications and stormwater. pathway types across the site exemplary examples of whole of life In particular, the Gardens’ stormwater cycle sustainability, including embodied ɳ Maintain major pathways as asphalt system is not adequate due to age and energy, inputs, running costs and and gradually upgrade across the root infestation, and backflow during maintenance site, reinforcing sections intended for high rain events is common. Boundary delivery and contractor vehicles ɳ Manage infrastructure priorities fences shared with Government House in accordance with the Gardens’ have been replaced in the last few years, ɳ Develop a specification for new concrete Asset Management Accountability but others are in disrepair and present kerbs and drainage grates with a lay Framework. a poor first impression. Other problem back design to improve landscape areas include pathway surfaces and amenity, increase accessibility and garden bed edges, with issues such reduce stormwater flow as gravel erosion, roots lifting asphalt, and garden bed creep. Determining appropriate materials for use across the site allows heritage, landscape aesthetic, maintenance and cost to be considered in an integrated way.

Restored terracotta drainage and asphalt path with new lay back concrete kerb near Fern Gully

74 Playing with autumn on Oak Lawn

5.3 PEOPLE

The Melbourne Gardens are for people, a place of Key Objectives sanctuary against the backdrop of an expanding ɳ Support more events and engagement global city. It is essential that people can access and opportunities within the Gardens enjoy the landscape in a variety of ways, whether ɳ Provide the facilities to allow high quality programming during all weather for recreation, connecting with nature, to attend ɳ Reflect history and place in the naming cultural events, or as a place of public learning and of Gardens’ features science. The development guidelines look at providing ɳ Reduce the need for visitors and staff to use private vehicles by making sensitive solutions to meeting some of the diverse alternative options more accessible contemporary human demands on the landscape. ɳ Provide an accessible and inclusive landscape experience for all users

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 75 5.3.1 Some major events can at times conflict There is a long history of marquees Events and Visitor Engagement with the landscape values when they being used in the Gardens. Dog Flat has Challenges impact on the Gardens and its users. RBGV been long used for this purpose but is manages these impacts closely with on- poorly serviced and interferes with major Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria offers site partners to achieve the best outcomes vistas. Meanwhile, storage for tenants unique public programs for all ages, at for visitors and the landscape. There is a such as Moonlight Cinema needs to be varying levels of scale and audience need for a balanced approach, and for the addressed so that shipping containers size, as outlined in the Consolidated Master Plan to provide serviced spaces are not obstructing any one of the Engagement and Impact Strategy for events while minimising landscape Gardens’ premier lawns and major views. 2017–2020. Public and group and family- impact. Ideally, activities which have a The prospect of increasing commercial based programming adds to the richness higher impact on the landscape should be opportunities also exists in terms of pop- of Melbourne’s cultural life by welcoming located near the site’s boundaries, while ups and new operations at the Terrace new audiences to the Gardens, many of low impact activities can occur almost Gate (A) and elsewhere. whom would not otherwise experience anywhere within the Gardens. The merits the site and its stories. Nature-based of each event should be taken into account experiences are the core of the public and its location appropriately determined. programs as well as events.

Table: Landscape Sensitivity grades

HIGH Event significantly enhances the Gardens’ experience 1 2 4

MEDIUM Event supports the Gardens’ experience 1 3 5

LOW Event has limited relationship RELEVANCE TO GARDENS’ EXPERIENCE GARDENS’ TO RELEVANCE to the Gardens’ experience 2 4 6

LOW MEDIUM HIGH Event has no vehicle or service Vehicle and service access Vehicle and service access requirements, little or no built required but little built needed and requires built form form and does not restrict infrastructure and minimal such as stage or marquee. public access for more than disruption to public access Restricts public access for two half a day during daylight hours or more days

LANDSCAPE IMPACT

76 LANDSCAPE SENSITIVITY PLAN

Huntingfield Lawn Amphitheatre: Ornamental Lake margins:  Events up to SG5  Events up to SG3  Capacity 3000  Capacity 200 (per lawn) Birrarung Gate Event Space:  Events up to SG4  Capacity 200

5 Terrace Gardens HUNTINGFIELD commercial opportunity: LAWN Dog Flat: kiosk/light F&B CITY  Events up to SG3 GATE  Capacity 400 Terrace Gardens Lawn: NORTH  Events up to SG4 Melbourne Observatory: GATE  Events up to SG6  Capacity 200  Capacity 5000

Princes Lawn: 4 BIRRARUNG  Events up to SG3 GATE 3 4  Capacity 2000 4 3 TERRACE 2 GATE HOPETOUN LAWN 2 DOG 3 3 New premier marquee site: FLAT LAKESIDE To be developed once Monterey CONSERVATORY Cypress reaches its end of life 5 5 3

Children's Garden: 2 EAST 6 GATE  Events up to SG3 MELBOURNE  Capacity 100 GARDENS OBSERVATORY HOUSE PRINCES 5 OBSERVATORY LAWN CENTRAL 4 LAWN GATE 3 5 3 3 MAIN 3 GATE FERN TECOMA GULLY NATURE AND 2 REST HOUSE 5 SCIENCE GUILFOYLE PRECINCT OAK GATE LAWN 4 MUELLER GATE 3 Western Lawn:  Events up to SG3  Capacity 400 5 EUCALYPT 2 2 LAWN Oak Lawn: 4  Events up to SG3  Capacity 1400 DOMAIN ROAD GATE SOUTH New premier marquee site GATE New marquee site:

0 metres 100 N To operate when Central Lawn (Cinema) : outside cinema  Events up to SG5 season  Capacity 3000

LEGEND General Landscape: Sensitivity grade 1 Accessible pathway suitable for night time use

Sensitivity grade 2 or under Marquee/built form permitted

Sensitivity grade 3 or under Flexible pop-up commercial and visitor information pod spaces

Sensitivity grade 4 or under

Sensitivity grade 5 or under

Sensitivity grade 6 or under

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 77 Actions ɳ Work with the City of Melbourne to 2. Expand the Gardens’ commercial 1. Increase the number of event develop a contoured, fully serviced opportunities performance space on Huntingfield and engagement spaces within ɳ Develop a feasibility study to assess Lawn the Gardens, while reducing or the case for a commercial food and mitigating their impact on the ɳ Eventually remove marquees from Dog beverage facility at Terrace Gate (A) Gardens’ landscapes Flat and develop new, fully serviced ɳ Develop a series of flat, serviceable marquee lawn sites in accordance with ɳ Locate events and engagement spaces for shared use by appropriate the Landscape Sensitivity Plan, page activities in accordance with the pop-up commercial ventures (e.g. 76-77 Landscape Sensitivity Plan, page 77 beverage carts, ticket sales) and the and Table, page 76, using the Corporate ɳ Expand the Eastern Lodge Toilets, A visitor information pod in accordance Plan as a means of assessing relevance Gate and Touchwood Bed Toilets to with the Landscape Sensitivity Plan, to the Gardens experience cater for increased demand page 76-77 ɳ Exception may be made for events of ɳ Provide new toilets on the Government ɳ Dependent upon the outcome of the outstanding merit and that support House border to service Wildwood and new Accommodation Review Master RBGV’s objectives the new marquee site Plan and Nature and Science Precinct staging, develop business cases for ɳ Time events with consideration for their ɳ Provide three phase power, potable use of other Gardens’ buildings as impact on the landscape and users, water and vehicle access to all marquee appropriate especially in relation to restricting sites and areas with a sensitivity grade visitor access, soil damage during of four or higher ɳ Consider new retail options and food winter months and impact on night and beverage facilities at both the ɳ Provide accessible pathways, access to time irrigation Lakeside Conservatory and Nature and toilets and lighting to all marquee sites Science Precinct. ɳ Whenever possible, ensure after and areas with a sensitivity grade of hours events are designed so that four or higher in accordance with the view lines are not blocked during Landscape Sensitivity Plan, page 76-77. regular visitor hours ɳ Continue to maintain Melbourne Observatory as a space for public performance and engagement, with similar level of activity, installing screened tenant storage, three phase power access and serviceable pathways to reduce the impact of events

‘Fire Gardens’ by Compagnie Carabosse with Melbourne International Arts Festival transformed the Gardens into an illuminated wonderland Image courtesy of Jasmine Macut

78 3. Increase the Gardens’ centred on the Children’s Garden and 2. Provide an all-weather Learning engagement by capturing new Oak Lawn. The delivery of Learning and and Participation space audiences Participation programs requires a specific ɳ In line with an agreed Nature and set of facilities, including space to assemble ɳ Develop options for a community Science Precinct Plan, modify the and securely store school bags and easy meeting space, including potentially current Visitor Centre or an alternative access to bus parking and toilets. within the Lakeside Conservatory to provide an all-weather Learning Learning and Participation programs are and Participation space for up to 100 ɳ Cater appropriately for culturally and currently limited by having no dedicated children. linguistically diverse audiences all-weather facility. Providing a protected 3. Provide a series of Learning ɳ Create a series of paved photo points space for up to 100 children would and Participation spaces across at highlight locations within gardens increase bookings and serviceability the Gardens for use by individual and provide visual (all language) by allowing the Gardens to guarantee classes (up to 30 people) signage to more effectively engage that programs are delivered, whatever visitors and discourage trampling of the weather. There is also a desire to ɳ Develop a new gathering space on garden beds spread the programs across the Gardens, Terrace Gardens Lawn as a meeting alleviating pressure on the Children’s point for Learning and Participation ɳ Develop new landscape projects Garden and Oak Lawn and enabling activities in the northern Gardens which actively engage older children, children to engage more deeply with teenagers and young adults ɳ Create a new gathering space other parts of the landscape. associated with the Sensory Garden ɳ Develop options for a Visitor Centre at development the Nature and Science Precinct and a Actions Visitor Centre outreach post at Terrace 1. Provide secured storage near ɳ Develop a new gathering space Gate (A). assembly points associated with the Wild Wood on ɳ Provide lockable, weather protected Hopetoun Lawn 5.3.2 rooms to store school bags and sets of ɳ Learning and Participation Include an all-weather space in place of wet weather gear for activities at the the Clematis Shelter Challenges Nature and Science Precinct Melbourne Gardens has a long history ɳ Utilise the existing Long Island ɳ Provide lockable, weather protected of delivering high quality Learning and and Guilfoyle’s Volcano gathering rooms at activity areas such as Terrace Participation programs aligned with spaces for Learning and Participation Gate (A). the Victorian schools’ curriculum. These programs. programs are delivered to all age groups from kindergarten up to VCE and are

‘Bushland’ a unique soundscape project commissioned for Melbourne Gardens

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 79 Observatory Gate has a name which assists wayfinding

5.3.3 Note: The nomenclature proposed in 2. Rename the Gates Naming conventions this section should be considered as ɳ Improve wayfinding by naming the indicative only. All changes to names will Challenges Gardens’ gates, as has happened with be considered in light of a Royal Botanic Individual names are used across Observatory Gate, which will retain Gardens Victoria Naming Rights Policy, Melbourne Gardens to differentiate its current name. Naming is to occur yet to be considered by the Board. spaces from large precincts, such as the through a formal process, possibly Ornamental Lake, to individual garden Actions reflecting the new names introduced in beds, landscape features, gates and follies. 1. Rename landscape features the Master Plan as follows: This naming system aids management with tenuous historic or place ɳ A Gate: Terrace Gate and wayfinding, but in many cases, names connections are organic, having become tied to places ɳ B Gate: East Gate over time without strong historic or ɳ Rename landscape features whose ɳ C Gate: Guilfoyle Gate landscape links. There is also a decided names do not reflect the Gardens’ bias towards sensibilities history or have contemporary ɳ D Gate: Domain Road Gate resonance in the naming. Dog Flat, Ornamental ɳ E Gate: South Gate Lake and the Director’s Tunnel are ɳ Where there is a strong Aboriginal ɳ examples of names without good place name for Gardens’ features these F Gate: Mueller Gate context. The gates too are problematic, should be considered, with options ɳ H Gate: North Gate. and except for Observatory Gate and for places having both European and the whimsically named Lych Gate, are Aboriginal names ɳ Create three new gates as follows: neither memorable, nor geographically ɳ ɳ Main Gate relevant. The opportunity now exists to Names could reflect the Aboriginal consider renaming some of these places, history of the site, with any such names ɳ Birrarung Gate giving greater acknowledgement to the chosen by the Traditional Owners ɳ City Gate. Traditional Owners and individuals who ɳ Names could reflect individuals strongly contributed to the development who strongly contributed to the to the Gardens, while also assisting with development of the Gardens wayfinding. ɳ Revert to historic place names for the Bowers (Arbours).

80 REACHING AND NAVIGATING THE SITE PLAN

Botanic planting at New raised pedestrian crossing Pillars of Wisdom to Bus proposed by City of Melbourne signal direction of Parking Gardens' entrance New Birrarung Gate entrance. Connect to City of Melbourne bicycle network and boat landing Remove fence, opening access to the Domain. Work Create accessible pathway from Terrace Gate with City of Melbourne to realign paths

Repair paths to Vireya Bed New lake crossing across wetlands CITY GATE NORTH New City Gate entrance GATE Upgraded Boat Landing

Bus Bus Parking Parking TERRACE GATE Close car park and return to landscape. BIRRARUNG GATE

Realign Dallas Brooks Drive, Western Lawn and Children's Garden pathways to improve pedestrian and vehicle flow

EAST GATE

OBSERVATORY GATE Traffic Lights MAIN GATE

New botanic plantings GUILFOYLE at Anzac Station and GATE accessible pathway to MUELLER Gardens' gates GATE

DOMAIN SOUTH ROAD GATE Bus GATE

0 metres 100 N Parking Create a furcated garden bed to ease vehicle movement around corner

LEGEND Connect minor path network along Australian Forest Walk Internal proposals Provide a new vehicle entrance from Eastern Lodge. Consider linking to traffic light sequencing on Anderson Street New/realigned minor internal path Rationalise and connect minor paths as part Bicycle racks of the Arid and Drylands Precinct works

External proposals working with City of Melbourne City of Melbourne Domain Parklands Master Plan 2019-2039 proposals

Accessible path connection Bus parking

5 minute car drop-off point Boat Landing

Accessible parking bays Pedestrian zone

Botanic planting beds to aid wayfinding Vehicle drop off zone

Raised pedestrian crossing

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 81 Trams along St Kilda Road connect the Gardens to the city centre and Flinders Street Station Image Courtesy of Liamdavies / CC BY-SA

5.3.4 For staff, an extensive, free car park is ɳ Work with the City of Melbourne Reaching the Gardens provided at the Melbourne Observatory to direct tour bus drop off areas to Challenges site, shared by the Friends, Volunteers Birrarung Gate as well as Terrace Gate and onsite partners. This space will be (A). Melbourne Gardens are centrally located, lost in the next few years as the Great close to the CBD, but for such an inner-city 2. Reduce the reliance on private Melbourne Telescope is reinstated and the place are surprisingly difficult to access vehicles to reach the Gardens Observatory car park is returned to public using public transport. The hilltop location open space. ɳ Close the private car park on the which makes the Gardens so beautiful Observatory site and return to public also makes them a challenge to reach. Actions open space Important entrances are at the highest 1. Make public transport more ɳ points, which are a considerable walk from accessible Provide bicycle racks at Main Gate, the tram services along St Kilda Road and Domain Road Gate (D) and Birrarung the trains at Flinders Street and Richmond ɳ Work with the City of Melbourne and Gate and connect to the City of Stations. This will continue until the the Shrine of Remembrance to provide Melbourne’s Alexandra Avenue major opening of Anzac Station and the return accessible pathways from St Kilda bicycle route of the tram route along Domain Road, Road and Anzac Station to Melbourne ɳ Work with the City of Melbourne to expected around 2025. However, access Gardens provide car drop off areas at Mueller from the station over the steep hill will still ɳ Support the City of Melbourne in Gate (F), Domain Road Gate (D) and need to be addressed, especially for those working with Parks Victoria to upgrade Birrarung Gate with reduced mobility. the river landing at Birrarung Gate ɳ Work with the City of Melbourne to The Gardens are well serviced by on street ɳ Work with the Melbourne Metro Rail provide parking permits for staff and car parking, with a mix of short-term, half- Authority and City of Melbourne to give onsite partners where required. day and full-day paid parking around its Melbourne Gardens a visual presence boundaries. Traffic studies by the City of at Anzac Station and guide foot traffic 3. Make accessing the Gardens Melbourne indicate that most users of the along a direct route to the Nature and easier for visitors with impaired surrounding roads and parking spaces are Science Precinct mobility not visiting either the Gardens or Domain, ɳ ɳ Work with the City of Melbourne to but are instead passing through, or are Work with the City of Melbourne provide accessible parking bays at city workers taking advantage of the to improve directional signage and South Gate (E) and Birrarung Gate to relatively inexpensive all-day parking. As intuitive wayfinding to and from the complement those already provided at such, it has plans to reduce speed limits, CBD and public transport the Nature and Science Precinct and alter parking times and pedestrianise ɳ Support the City of Melbourne to Domain Road Gate (D). some roads. On balance this will be investigate options for public transport positive for the Gardens and is expected along Birdwood Avenue to aid patronage.

82 5.3.5 the Nature and Science Precinct need to ɳ Improve entrance identity and naming Navigating the Site address these issues, along with the lack in accordance with Section 6.12, Challenges of entrances along Alexandra Avenue. Entrances. Guilfoyle’s broad network of curving paths Actions 2. Create a connected secondary provide a beautiful and flexible means 1. Modify confusing pathways to aid path system of exploring the Gardens and are an wayfinding, including consideration ɳ Create new secondary paths in integral part of the picturesque landscape of the following options accordance with the Reaching and experience. However, the continuously Navigating the Site Plan, page 81, to looping pathways do not always lend ɳ Remove vehicle access from Melbourne make sense of the existing minor paths, themselves to intuitive wayfinding. From Observatory and pedestrianise the improve accessibility and create an a landscape perspective this is mostly landscape, creating a series of direct alternative way of experiencing the desirable, creating a sense of immersion pathways with visually obvious Gardens and collections. and a dynamic experience of the site connections to the Shrine, city centre where no two journeys are the same. and the rest of Melbourne Gardens 3. Address further problems in wayfinding through signage and The range of signage in the Gardens is ɳ Redesign of the Dallas Brooks Drive interpretation generally good and has recently been extension to Government House to augmented by new precinct signs. improve pedestrian safety and access ɳ Develop and implement a Melbourne Map boards at entrances and major ɳ Create a visually unifying pathway Gardens Interpretation Master Plan path junctions assist with wayfinding or promenade from Melbourne ɳ Develop self-guided walks and and include map brochures for Observatory, through the Nature and interpretive journeys to accommodate greater flexibility. Overall, the signage Science Precinct and towards Western the various ways people experience the compensates for much of the complexity Lawn and the Centre for Gardens landscape in the path system. However, many Leadership, removing current areas of visitors still become disorientated when confusion ɳ Explore the use of existing and moving through the site. Many visitors emergent technologies to assist non- ɳ entering through the Observatory have Create a new entrance along the English speaking visitors to navigate difficulty in locating the historic part of Northern Border between Terrace (A) the site and to provide deeper and the Gardens, often ending up in the staff and North (H) Gates to improve access richer interpretation experiences for car park, Dallas Brooks Drive, or Gardens to the Yarra River all visitors. House. The Master Plan and design of

New signs mark the Gardens’ living collections

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 83 ACCESSIBILITY PLAN

Provide fixed seating and flat resting areas areas along assisted wheelchair grade Explore options to re-contour pathways to path to City Gate. Provide accessible make pathway around the Ornamental Lake terraces to amphitheatre fully accessible

Provide fixed seating and flat resting areas TOILETS along Conifer Border pathway Explore option for new toilet Provide a fully accessible ramp during block in conjunction with City of Melbourne Terrace Gardens redevelopment, including connection to toilets

Provide fully accessible CITY route to and through GATE NORTH Lakeside Conservatory GATE Provide fixed seating and flat resting areas along steep pathway Assess the feasibility of providing a fully accessible pathway to Plant Craft Cottage BIRRARUNG GATE TERRACE GATE

LONG TOILETS ISLAND TOILETS ORNAMENTAL New toilet block to service LAKE Wild Wood and marquee site on Government House Border TOILETS Expand Garden Explorer route to include the Melbourne Observatory EAST PERENNIAL GATE MELBOURNE BORDER OBSERVATORY CENTRAL FERN LAWN GULLY TOILETS CHILDREN'S GARDEN GUILFOYLE GATE MAIN GATE ARID Make front entrance to GARDEN herbarium fully accessible

MUELLER GATE GUILFOYLE'S VOLCANO TOILETS

Work with the City of Melbourne to create a new accessible pathway from DOMAIN Anzac Station to the Nature SOUTH ROAD GATE and Science Precinct GATE

0 metres 100

N Expand Garden Explorer route to include Lakeside Conservatory and Sensory Garden LEGEND Fully accessible pathway Investigate options for creating accessible connection from Central Lawn to Fern Gully Accessible pathway (assisted wheelchair grade) Create a new Sensory Garden

Fully accessible pathway from Anzac Station Provide fixed seating and flat (working with City of Melbourne) resting areas along steep pathway Existing Garden Explorer route

Proposed Garden Explorer route

Garden Explorer stop Principal accessible entrance (accessible parking bays or access from transport) Accessible drinking fountain

Heritage rockwork drinking fountain (non-accessible)

84 5.3.6 In Melbourne Gardens many of the Additional seating, more drinking Accessibility historic paths were laid out along existing fountains, creation of direct routes and Challenges contour lines to reduce their gradient. customer journey maps, tactile markers, While much of the site is accessible, as a improved site interpretation and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria has a heritage landscape, there are constraints signage in languages other than English, strategic and ongoing commitment to for providing full physical access to all provision of sheltered environments providing equitable access to all people. The parts of the Gardens. While the Building for when weather conditions are organisation is also committed to searching Code of Australia classifies landscapes challenging, all make for a landscape out invisible barriers of access and inclusion, as a ‘Class 10 Building’, meaning there is experience that is welcoming, accessible such as those experienced by low socio- no requirement to provide access, State and inclusive for everyone. economic or disadvantaged families, Government and DELWP policy, together children, immigrants and schools, and those with the Board approved RBGV Diversity with hidden disability. This approach applies and Inclusion Plan, demonstrate a full equally for anyone who engages with the commitment to an accessible, inclusive Gardens, whether as a visitor, staff member, and dignified landscape experience for all. onsite partner, contractor or volunteer. RBGV therefore aims for best practice in As a statutory authority, RBGV is bound accessibility wherever possible. by several Acts of Parliament and a Recent projects have improved framework of state and federal policies accessibility and navigation within that ensure equal opportunity is provided the Gardens, especially the Fern Gully to all. Of particular relevance are the boardwalk, which creates a crucial Commonwealth Disability Discrimination accessible link in a north-south direction Act 1992 and Victorian Disability Act across the Gardens. The introduction of 2006 in addition to Equal Employment the Garden Explorer, a popular electric Opportunity provisions for employees. people mover, has greatly increased With an ageing population and the further accessibility around the site, though impacts of climate change, the need access to several areas can still be difficult to provide a welcoming and inclusive due to steep pathways. landscape will only grow.

Map boards assist visitors to find their way around the Gardens

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 85 New landscape projects such as the rejuvenation of Fern Gully have increased accessibility across the site

Actions 3. Make areas of the landscape ɳ Work with the City of Melbourne to 1. Make all public buildings fully without universal access more user increase the number of accessible accessible friendly parking bays at Gardens’ entrances in accordance with the Reaching and ɳ Provide signage indicating the most ɳ Provide equitable, dignified access fully Navigating the Site Plan, page 81 compliant with the Building Code of direct accessible route where slopes Australia to all public buildings preclude universal access ɳ Provide detailed accessibility information on RBGV website to aid ɳ Provide fixed seats and regular landings ɳ Provide a fully compliant pathway trip planning. from a Gardens’ gate to each publicly along steep major access paths in accessible building accordance with the Accessibility Plan, 4. Provide inclusive experiences for page 84 visitors with sensory impairments ɳ Explore whether making Plant Craft Cottage fully accessible would result ɳ Provide handrails to all flights of stairs ɳ Create a new, fully accessible Sensory in “undue hardship” due to its difficult ɳ Gradually replace concrete kerbs with Garden near the Fern Gully location. Provide buggy access if full layback kerbs ɳ Maintain some areas of the Gardens as accessibility is not deemed possible. ɳ Provide more accessible drinking places for withdrawal and escape. 2. Provide universal access to all fountains (including bottle refills and major Gardens’ features dog bowls) across the landscape in accordance with the Accessibility Plan, ɳ Provide “assisted wheelchair grade” page 84 (max 1:14) access to all major Gardens features in accordance with the ɳ Expand the Garden Explorer service Accessibility Plan, page 84 to include Melbourne Observatory, Lakeside Conservatory and Sensory ɳ Provide accessible connecting Garden pathways running north-south, east- west and around the Ornamental Lake ɳ Work with the City of Melbourne to to facilitate access. provide an accessible connection from Anzac Station

86 Botanists and Horticulturists studying the Titan Arum (Amorphophallus titanum)

5.4 SCIENCE, HORTICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT

Melbourne Gardens are also a scientific institution, Key Objectives a living laboratory supporting the research work of ɳ Provide a landscape which supports botanists, horticulturists, academics, students and the scientific research, plant conservation and the maintenance of biodiversity wider public. The landscapes are a living repository ɳ Manage the Gardens so that the for plants and animals, both a scientific resource and landscape character and living an important ecological green space, to be guarded collections are seamless ɳ Support the implementation of the against the impact of a growing city and climate change. Landscape Succession Strategy to Intimately connected to these landscapes is the State address climate change Botanical Collection, held within the National Herbarium ɳ Increase plant diversity in the landscape ɳ Recognise the importance of habitat in of Victoria. The development guidelines for science, the Gardens horticulture and environment supports this scientific ɳ Optimise tree health across the Gardens work, and protects the landscape and associated infrastructure as a premier scientific resource.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 87 5.4.1 identified in the Gardens. It is important ɳ Improve visitor amenity at the Landscape Succession and that the Gardens embrace the role it Melbourne Observatory by planting Environment plays in caring for not only plants, but shrubs and small trees to mitigate the Challenges the health and wellbeing of people and impacts of temperature, glare and wind wildlife in the city. One of Melbourne Gardens’ key strategic ɳ Capitalise on the Gardens’ documents is the Landscape Succession Actions microclimates to provide a balance Strategy. This document has positioned 1. Support Melbourne Gardens between moderate and low water use RBGV as a global leader in its sector for to transition to 100% sustainable plants, including lawn areas, as a means adapting landscape environments to the water supply of cooling the Gardens increasing threat of climate change, and ɳ Develop opportunities such as the seeks to build resilience in the landscape ɳ Upgrade infrastructure to connect the Nature and Science Precinct and the and living collections while maintaining Melbourne Observatory and Children’s Lakeside Conservatory as places to the character of the Gardens through Garden to the Sustainable Irrigation promote visitor wellbeing and access to to 2090. Together, the Master Plan and Project nature during any weather Landscape Succession Strategy will be ɳ Continue to maintain some non- instrumental in guiding the development irrigated garden beds such as Long ɳ Maintain the dense boundary plantings of the Gardens’ living collections over the Island and the Volcano in most areas to reduce vehicle next 20 years. pollution in the Gardens ɳ Maintain a balance between irrigated Targets for the Landscape Succession and non-irrigated areas as a means of ɳ Work with the City of Melbourne in the Strategy cover species composition, plant cooling the Gardens development of the City Arboretum in diversity, securing a sustainable supply of the Domain Parklands. ɳ irrigation water, increasing visitor comfort Sensitively locate and accommodate and research. Several specific actions any infrastructure necessary for the 4. Increase the Gardens’ capacity arising from these targets are reflected in Sustainable Irrigation Project. to support scientific research the Master Plan. 2. Provide quality habitat for ɳ Collaborate with Science to As an extension of the Landscape wildlife, invertebrates and accommodate research projects across Succession Strategy, Melbourne indigenous flora the Gardens. Gardens values its role as an urban ɳ Retain fallen tree material and 5.4.2 greenspace, providing beneficial impacts understorey litter as habitat in Living Collections on biodiversity, healthy urban habitat appropriate areas in accordance with Challenges and wellbeing. Along with the State the Lake System and Environment Plan, Melbourne Gardens currently supports Botanical Collection and associated page 68 23 living collections, groups of plants scientific programs, RBGV contributes with a specific theme such as scientific to a broad range of conservation, health ɳ Manage light levels and preserve the significance or conservation that and biodiversity initiatives in Victoria Gardens as a predominantly ‘dark site’ are actively curated by a qualified and more broadly. The City of Melbourne refuge, while maintaining safety for horticulturist with reference to the predicts a population rise in Docklands visitors during night-time events scientific programs and State Botanical and the CBD of 250% by 2036, placing ɳ Restore rockeries to increase the Collection. The accuracy and frequency even greater pressure on RBGV’s city number of free-standing water bodies of record keeping on each collection is an landscape to be a cool refuge for for frog habitat essential feature of the work undertaken animals, birds and people. Increasingly, in botanic gardens. Collections may be horticultural, health and social/ ɳ Consider practices to promote hollows found in either consolidated areas or behavioural research is demonstrating the and the provision of natural nesting dispersed across the whole site. Unlike valuable and tangible benefits gardens, boxes in large, old trees. many botanic gardens, the collections in parks and other green spaces provide. 3. Improve the landscape’s ability Melbourne Gardens are skilfully nestled in This is not only in terms of the physical to provide a safe, comfortable the picturesque landscape. and mental wellbeing inspired by contact environment for visitors, especially with nature, but also the potential for Each living collection has its own during hot weather these spaces to address the detrimental management plan, while the Living health impacts that come from being in ɳ Increase shade in exposed locations Collections Strategy provides the overall cities, for example pollution offset and the through tree planting in accordance direction for all collections. Historically, urban heat island effect. with the Lake System and Environment collections have been developed Plan, page 68 taking care not to block opportunistically, often reflecting In addition to caring for its visitors and important view lines and maintain individual staff interests. Now they are the wider city, Melbourne Gardens is an landscape character actively managed and, in most cases, important wildlife refuge, especially its aligned with the strategic goals of the lakes and water bodies. They are also ɳ Increase access to drinking water organisation, including the Landscape home to around 140 species of native across the landscape in accordance Succession Strategy. fungi and lichens, as well as numerous with the Accessibility Plan, page 84 algae and other microorganisms, with species new to science having been

88 PLANTING CHARACTER PLAN

Expand Californian Collection into a wider North America Drylands Collection as part of the Arid and Drylands Precinct

Develop the Species Rose Garden into the Climate Ready Rose Garden

Discontinue Viburnum Collection

Redesign Water Conservation Collection into ornamental beds, possibly exploring 'future climate' plants CACTI & SUCCULENT Review beds and incorporate Australian Rare & Threatened Collection into appropriate GREY locations across the site GARDEN

SOUTHERN CHINA

Expand the Lower Yarra River Habitat Collection LOWER YARRA RIVER HABITAT Reshape garden beds to create ornamental beds supporting the Fern Gully and Palm Collection

Expand Southern Africa Collection

PERENNIAL BORDER

CYCAD CLIMATE GARDENS READY ROSE HOUSE THE IAN SOUTHERN GARDEN POTTER AFRICA FOUNDATION CHILDREN'S NORTH GARDEN FERN PALM AMERICA CAMELLIA GULLY DRYLANDS QUERCUS HERB & CACTI & MEDICINAL SUCCULENT GARDEN Incorporate remnant Bursaria stand into GUILOYLE'S Melbourne Observatory VOLCANO landscaping

NEW AUSTRALIAN ZEALAND CORYMBIA & FOREST WALK EUCALYPTUS

AUSTRALIAN Rework the existing Herb Garden and expand FOREST WALK into a Herb & Medicinal Collection

0 metres 100 N

LEGEND Green Curtain Tall Enclosed: Predominantly evergreen tree canopy with dense, enclosing vegetation screen Green Curtain Tall Open: Canopy trees with open shrub layer Green Curtain Medium: Enclosing shrub layer with some protruding canopy trees

Arid and Rockery

Indigenous and remnant vegetation

Arboretum: Canopy trees in lawn Feature Garden Beds: Low, gardenesque highlight beds or other decorative planting with limited tree canopy

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 89 Living collections are constantly evolving Actions 2. Work with the Living Collections galleries, responding to changes in 1. Place all living collections to Strategy to develop new and climate, management and research maintain a seamless relationship assess existing collections priorities. Placement of many collections with the landscape character of the ɳ Make all decisions in relation to the has historic precedence, and it is rare Gardens creation, expansion or retirement of these collections would ever be moved collections using the Living Collections or removed. However, it is expected that ɳ Update all individual Living Collection Strategy’s criteria and evaluation there will be significant change to the Management Plans to include design framework and aligned with RBGV’s detail of collections’ plantings over the intent statements and planting corporate strategy and objectives next 20 years, as the species composition character information of the Gardens is transitioned through ɳ Maximise opportunities for living ɳ When retiring a collection, maintain implementation of its response to collections to support national and all scientifically important genetic climate change through the Landscape international conservation efforts material, either within the Gardens or Succession Strategy and other new relocated to more climatically suitable ɳ organisational strategies for sustainability. Develop new collections with botanic gardens Retirement of a collection does not consideration for the Landscape ɳ Expand the Southern Africa Collection mean that valuable plant material is Succession Strategy, Living Collections within the existing location lost or disregarded. Plants of value Strategy and other new RBGV will be retained within the Gardens as sustainability initiatives ɳ Expand and rename the California part of the general collection, or where ɳ Sensitively place new and expanded Collection to include a wider struggling climatically, material will be collections within the landscape, geographical area (North America relocated to other botanic gardens with respecting the Gardens’ picturesque Drylands) more appropriate conditions, such as landscape and planting character ɳ Build on existing collections to develop the Dandenong Ranges. When a new described in Section 4.4 Landscape an Australian Rare and Threatened collection is formed, or an existing Character, Landscape Character Plan, Collection collection expanded, it is important that page 62 and Planting Character Plan, the Master Plan provides landscape page 89. ɳ Rework the existing Herb Garden and character guidance to direct its placement expand into a Herb and Medicinal within the landscape. The challenge is Collection in accordance with to find a suitable microclimate without Guilfoyle’s original intent compromising landscape character. ɳ Expand the Lower Yarra River Habitat Collection to include plants of significance to the Traditional Owners

The Fields cacti and succulent collection in the nursery, awaiting planting in the new Arid Garden

90 ɳ Retire the Viburnum, Water 5.4.3 Actions Conservation, and Grass and Bamboo Tree Canopy 1. Manage the senescing tree Collections, with distribution of any Challenges canopy important material to other botanic The botanically rich and diverse collection gardens or similarly secure repositories ɳ Actively plan for mature tree losses of trees is integral to the landscape by selecting and planting trees that ɳ Transition the Species Rose Collection character of Melbourne Gardens. In support the Gardens’ landscape to a ‘Climate Ready’ Ornamental common with many Victorian gardens, succession and species diversity goals Rose Collection, focusing on heat and the tree canopy is mostly mature and disease tolerant taxa needs to be carefully managed into the ɳ Consider active removal of trees with future. Considerable tree planting has limited value to increase plant diversity ɳ Create a new Arid and Drylands taken place since the 2008 Strategic and support the implementation of the Precinct centred around Guilfoyle Gate Tree Plan, but the large-scale senescence Landscape Succession Strategy (C) incorporating the Arid and Eucalypt predicted in the Plan has commenced, Collections and the expanded California ɳ Consider alternative tree management with several significant losses in recent Collection techniques for signature heritage trees years. This has implications for carbon including the indigenous ‘Ancient ɳ Explore the appropriateness of sequestration, as the oldest trees are the Sentinels’ developing other collections such as greatest drawers of carbon. While there ɳ Northern African, Mexican and South are some management options, over- Update the Tree Strategy to include American Collections applying resources to retain trees beyond policies for the management of their useful life is rarely appropriate. ‘Significant’ and ‘Outstanding’ heritage ɳ Develop collections to support the Existing climate change is hastening some trees including identifying appropriate new Lakeside Conservatory and review tree loss, and inevitably the skyline and replacement species when like-for-like opportunities for a Tropical Flora character of the Gardens will continue to is not appropriate Collection. evolve over the life of the Master Plan. ɳ Wherever possible retain the wood 3. Use the living collections as a There is a need for new tree planting from significant trees within the means of increasing diversity in the to support the implementation of the landscape as habitat, art or furniture as landscape Landscape Succession Strategy. This recommended in Section 5.2. will move away from the traditional cool ɳ Support the target of the Landscape 2. Protect trees during construction climate species composition, to one better Succession Strategy in achieving works and events plant diversity equal or greater than matched to predicted future climates. 8,400 distinct taxa with over 35% wild For long-lived species, such as trees, this ɳ Carry out all construction and provenance-sourced plants approach is especially important and infrastructure work in accordance provides a valuable research and climate with the Australian Standard and ɳ Work with RBGV’s scientists to develop study tool due to the Gardens’ meticulous industry best practice through early collections to facilitate their work, record keeping. This can be done without and continued consultation with the particularly to foster plant science, compromising the landscape character. Of Arboriculture team conservation and biodiversity greater potential impact on the landscape ɳ Embed clear tree protection ɳ Create an area for the public display of is the placement of specimen trees in requirements in all works’ contracts and the Terrestrial Orchid Collection within lawns, and great care needs to be taken onsite partner agreements the Lakeside Conservatory so that new tree plantings do not impede views or shade out significant garden ɳ Develop new projects with ɳ Investigate the usefulness of providing beds. This is especially important with any consideration for the management of a quarantine centre in conjunction with commemorative plantings as they often existing trees and their failure potential. the new Conservatory. demand prominent locations and removal 3. Develop a formal policy requires sensitive handling. to manage requests for As a botanical landscape there is commemorative tree plantings an understanding that the trees ɳ Develop a list of pre-approved locations in Melbourne Gardens need to be and taxa suitable for commemorative protected, however, more knowledge plantings and only plant in accordance about the level of care required when with these specifications. working around them is required. In particular, the extent of a tree’s root ɳ Where possible, explore alternative system (often 2–3 times the size of ways to commemorate visiting the canopy), and susceptibility to dignitaries other than specimen lawn compaction and root loss is very plantings. poorly understood.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 91 6 Future Developments Melbourne Observatory is an important part of the RBGV’s vision for the Nature and Science Precinct

A series of new developments are proposed for Melbourne Gardens, allowing it to respond to existing and emerging challenges, and to remain relevant to visitors’ expectations for social and scientific impact and public open space. Each project is providing a solution to an identified problem or opportunity, in most cases meeting a range of needs with a single project. In contrast to the Development Guidelines (Chapter 5), these projects are site specific, adding new or renewed built form within the historic landscape.

6.1 Botanical Collection, the revitalisation by Kerstin Thompson Architects (KTA) of the Melbourne Observatory and the working with RBGV in parallel with the NATURE AND SCIENCE creation of a unified visitor experience. Master Plan. The intention is to integrate PRECINCT the heritage and contemporary functions The vision for the Nature and Science of this part of Melbourne Gardens, Design Statement Precinct is being guided by the Board, incorporating the National Herbarium of RBGV Corporate Plan, local and State Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria have a Victoria, Melbourne Observatory and The Government policies, the Consolidated vision to create a new Nature and Science Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden Engagement and Impact Strategy, and Precinct for Melbourne. This will join in a holistic, visitor-focused landscape a strong requirement to safeguard the the Arts and Culture, and Sports and that will transform the Gardens. Entertainment Precincts as Melbourne’s State Botanical Collection and engage third major destination by the Yarra River. the public with its treasures. Conceptual Central to this vision is the construction design of the herbarium and Nature and of a new herbarium to hold the State Science Precinct buildings was prepared

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 93 GREAT MELBOURNE TELESCOPE HOUSE

GOVERNMENT HOUSE REAR LEARNING AND ENTRANCE PARTICIPATION CENTRE MELBOURNE OBSERVATORY

THE IAN POTTER FOUNDATION CHILDREN’S WESTERN LAWN GARDEN HERBARIUM AND OAK ENTRANCE LAWN FORECOURT

SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE TO CENTRE FOR GARDENS DOMAIN PARKLANDS LEADERSHIP The RBGV’s vision for the Nature and Science Precinct TO ANZAC STATION

As RBGV’s most critical and complex The new Nature and Science Precinct will low planting, and extending the existing infrastructure project, the highest priority include new pathways and meeting areas Vegetable Garden, reducing the current of the Master Plan is the Nature and in the Dallas Brooks Drive area in front of paving and creating a welcoming Science Precinct, with the protection the Herbarium, possibly as the forecourt entrance. of the State Botanical Collections as to the Nature and Science Precinct. This Melbourne Observatory will be restored to its foundation. The potential loss and gently shaded area will create a new and public access, with the removal of the car degradation of this irreplaceable Collection botanically rich entrance to the Gardens. park and roadways and the re-instatement has been identified as an ‘Extreme’ risk by The space will also draw visitors into of open lawns and low planting; restoring the Board. A new underground structure Melbourne Gardens, inviting them to its historic character of combined scientific for the storage and study of the State explore the Children’s Garden, Melbourne function and ornamental landscaping. The Botanical Collection will allow the existing Observatory and the rest of Melbourne new landscape will be simple parkland, National Herbarium of Victoria building Gardens, or enjoy the new experiences in interpreting the Observatory’s unique to be re-purposed, removing the 1988 the 1934 Herbarium building. history and providing a fitting setting for extension and revealing the original 1934 There is a strong organisational the restored Great Melbourne Telescope Art Deco structure. The heritage building commitment to open and activate House and other historic Observatory and its surrounds will include new public previously closed buildings and green buildings, which will continue to celebrate spaces and access to elements of the space for public programs and deepen the observational sciences. State Botanical Collection, such as its rich connection with nature. This will include botanical library. A visitor engagement The following outlines a broad vision providing gallery and exhibition space space, and café that could open onto for the Nature and Science Precinct. and improving food and beverage Western and Oak Lawns are also proposed. The detail around implementation and options. Dedicated learning spaces The storage vault, curation spaces, staging will be subject to further technical will offer the opportunity for local laboratories and offices will be below and design resolution, developed in communities and schools to engage ground in a double-winged basement. consultation with the Board. with nature, horticulture and citizen Natural light and amenity, including science initiatives, including urban viewing of the collection space, will be biodiversity and conservation. There is provided by light wells and/or courtyards, also a growing demand to activate the some of which will be accessible. Precinct at night. Dunlop Plaza could be softened and shaded by small trees,

94 NATURE AND SCIENCE PRECINCT HERBARIUM LANDSCAPING

GOVERNMENT HOUSE REAR ACCESS

CHILDREN’S GARDEN REALIGNED EXTENSION DALLAS BROOKS DRIVE

WESTERN LAWN

VAULT

NEW ENTRANCE TO CHILDREN’S GARDEN VAULT WESTERN LINK PATH OAK LAWN

RESTORED 1934 HERBARIUM AND ROOF GARDEN

REALIGNED MUELLER GATE (F)

DOMAIN PARKLANDS TO ANZAC LODGE STATION

TO CENTRE FOR GARDENS LEADERSHIP

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 95 Major Elements National Herbarium of Victoria Arrival Experience ɳ Create an underground vault area to ɳ Provide a series of arrival points for ɳ Consider realigning Dallas Brooks Drive house the State Botanical Collection Melbourne Gardens, encouraging equal to reduce its visual impact and maintain including herbarium research functions movement into the Children’s Garden, it as an alternative Government House Melbourne Observatory and the access route, otherwise closing it to ɳ Include natural-light and viewing Original Botanic Gardens traffic within Gardens’ opening hours opportunities, offices and spaces for research, preparation, decontamination ɳ Develop a whole-of-precinct set of ɳ Slow vehicle movement by creating and curation of specimens placemaking principles to assist in a plaza rich with planting and a building a shared design narrative pedestrian focused paving treatment ɳ Demolish the 1988 extension and re- that includes traffic calming purpose the original 1934 building for ɳ Create new entrances and visitor mechanisms, such as bollards or increased public use and library engagement spaces, including barriers potentially Visitor Centre, Gardens’ ɳ Display a visually rich, botanically Shop, restaurant and kiosk ɳ Create high impact courtyard diverse plant palette as an appropriate landscape with strong botanical entrance to Melbourne Gardens. ɳ Develop an interpretative space themes suitable for curated exhibitions, display and interpretation of the State ɳ Design sensitively to protect the Botanical Collection Gardens’ significant trees ɳ Create a new, sensitively scaled entrance to The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden ɳ Realign the Gardens’ fence to the rear of the plaza, allowing day and night use of the space while securing the Gardens. Images courtesy of: top left Serpentine Gallery / Walter Herfst, bottom left Sweco Architects / Jan Raeber, bottom centre Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture / Marion Brenner, bottom right Davies White Landscape Architects and www.davieswhite.co.uk

96 Western Lawn, Mueller Gate ɳ Transition staff from the existing ɳ Soften the Dunlop Plaza space with Entrance and Centre for Gardens retrofitted buildings and other small trees, decked seats and low Leadership inadequate office space to productive gardens, making the space more and creative spaces comfortable and inviting, and reducing ɳ Connect the Herbarium to Western heat banking and Oak Lawns, potentially through a ɳ Consider integrating staff office new café overlooking the Gardens, with accommodation with the Works Yard ɳ Link the Melbourne Observatory strong connections to the landscape (Centre for Gardens Leadership) to and Children’s Garden to the rest facilitate improvements to cross-team of Melbourne Gardens through ɳ Rename F Gate, Mueller Gate in honour collaboration and communication. placemaking principles and intuitive of Baron Ferdinand von Mueller with wayfinding planting, which reflects his work and Learning and Participation Centre, ɳ that of the Herbarium Observatory House gardens and Create connections between the Children’s Garden, the Learning and ɳ Maintain Western Lawn as a significant The Ian Potter Foundation Participation Centre and an expansion void space and iconic entrance point to Children’s Garden of the Vegetable Garden the Original Botanic Gardens ɳ Expand the Gardens’ capacity to ɳ Expand and develop the Children’s ɳ Realign Mueller Gate (F) to its original deliver high quality programs by Garden to continue the existing location to provide a more welcoming providing a dedicated, all-weather character and purpose of the garden, and connected Herbarium building and Learning and Participation spaces in creating a wonderous plant space restore the historic alignment the re-purposed Visitor Centre, shop and restaurant building which reflects a child’s view of the ɳ Provide a level of architectural world consistency between Mueller Gate (F) ɳ Create an area with a contemporary ɳ Use a palette of ornamental plants entrance and the arrival experience design and focus on urban which provide biodiversity benefits along Dallas Brooks Drive conservation, biodiversity and interactive learning with strong foliage and striking floral displays. ɳ Strengthen the historic view line to the Meridian Collimating Marker and Images courtesy of: top left Kerstin Thompson remove visual clutter Architects, bottom centre Peter Bennetts photographer / Harrison and White with Archier as architects and Openwork Landscape Architects, bottom right Bertie Pavlidis

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 97 NATURE AND SCIENCE PRECINCT MELBOURNE OBSERVATORY LANDSCAPING

OPEN TO GREAT BACK OF DOMAIN MELBOURNE HOUSE PARKLANDS TELESCOPE HOUSE

DIRECT EVENT PATHWAYS SPACE

OPEN LANDSCAPE OF LAWN AND GARDEN BEDS MAIN OBSERVATORY EVENT BUILDING SPACE LEARNING AND PARTICIPATION CENTRE ACKNOWLEDGE HISTORIC BOUNDARY SOFTEN FORECOURT

PHOTOHELIOGRAPH AND SOUTH-EQUATORIAL OBSERVATORY HOUSE MAGNET HOUSE HOUSE

GATE LODGE INDIGENOUS PLANTING

THE IAN POTTER CONNECTION FOUNDATION TO SHRINE CHILDREN’S GARDEN

MERIDIAN LINE

98 Melbourne Observatory ɳ Restore the Melbourne Observatory ɳ Re-work the path system and garden to public open space, removing the beds to create a strong landscape car park, roadways and dividing fence connection across Birdwood Avenue to and providing vistas to and from the the Shrine of Remembrance Domain Parklands ɳ Provide ornamental landscape ɳ Increase public access to Melbourne plantings which showcase the Observatory buildings, including the indigenous plants of Melbourne and the Great Melbourne Telescope Western Plains ɳ Create an open landscape with ɳ Where possible, control light levels botanically rich, low island planting across the site through sensitive beds and straight link paths surrounded design and management while offering by lawns with its own unique character appropriate lighting for people to safely navigate the site at night. ɳ Continue its function as a Gardens’ event space with a fully serviced open lawn area, including inbuilt storage areas and vehicle access ɳ Reduce paving and hard surfaces to prevent heat banking

Images courtesy of: top left Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture / Marion Brenner

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 99 BIRRARUNG GATE

ALEXANDRA AVENUE

TAN TRACK

BIRRARUNG GATE

FIRE PIT

VIEWS TO NEW BACKWATER SHELTER

ROCK CIRCLE

HISTORIC FIG VIEWS TO LAKESIDE CONSERVATORY LAWN

ORNAMENTAL LAKE

PICNIC POINT

100 6.2 BIRRARUNG GATE Design statement A new gate will be created along the northern border, located where the Birrarung (the Yarra River) once flowed through the Gardens. The landscape will begin outside the gates, creating a distinct change in character, drawing people into the Gardens to catch a glimpse of the new Lakeside Conservatory across the Ornamental Lake. This will become a major new entrance to Melbourne Gardens, celebrating the indigenous landscape: its plants, animals, landform and people. The design will use materials, structure and patterning to communicate the Aboriginal stories about Country which are deeply embedded in the history of the place.

Major elements ɳ Work with the Traditional Owners in the ɳ Use natural materials such as sawn ɳ Continue landscaping across the Tan design of the space basalt, weathered hardwood and Track, connecting to the nearby boat flamed timbers landing, bike trails and bus parking ɳ Highlight the seasons recognised by Traditional Owners ɳ Replace Clematis Shelter with a new ɳ Guide visitors through the Gardens and shelter, becoming a place for Welcome across the Ornamental Lake to the new ɳ Provide a seamless connection to Long and Acknowledgement of Country Lakeside Conservatory Island with views to the Backwater ceremonies ɳ Focus on Victorian and indigenous plants while retaining existing canopy trees.

Images courtesy of: top left Kerstin Thompson Architects, top right Phillip Withers Landscape Design / Amelia Stanwix

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 101 TERRACE GARDENS

TAN TRACK

UPGRADED ENTRANCE

REALIGN GATES HISTORIC OAK

TAN TRACK INFORMATION POD AND KIOSK

STEPS

LAWN TERRACE

RECLINED TO BIRRARUNG SEATING GATE T E E R T S ROOF BLOSSOM N

GARDEN & O

TREES S

PAVILION R E

RAMP D N

TO LAKESIDE A CONSERVATORY

EXISTING TOILETS

TENANT STORAGE

102 6.3 TERRACE GARDENS Design statement The corner of Anderson Street and Alexandra Avenue inside Terrace (A) Gate is to be redeveloped into a new welcoming arrival space for the Gardens, with a focus on health and wellbeing, and better connectivity for users of the Tan Track. The design will remove vehicles from the area and provide a stronger focus on pedestrian access and plant detail. The existing grand oak tree will be revealed to the Tan Track and there will be a strong focus on seasonal planting. A new terrace will blur the edges between the Tan Track and the Gardens, creating a meeting place with views across the Gardens and access to shaded seating and shelter.

Major elements ɳ Realign the entrance gates to improve ɳ Provide a small visitor services pod as ɳ Provide sensitively designed the Tan Track/Gardens interface part of the built form permanent storage facilities for onsite partners ɳ Rename A Gate entrance, Terrace Gate ɳ Provide a new lawn terrace, open to the public but with the opportunity for ɳ Provide an accessible pathway from ɳ Remove all vehicles from the appropriate scheduled activities the entrance gates into the Gardens, precinct, creating a safer pedestrian connecting Anderson Street bus environment ɳ Create a green lawn, roofed garden parking to the Lakeside Conservatory pavilion suitable for programmed ɳ Create a green-roofed kiosk opening to and toilet facilities Learning and Participation programs both the Tan Track and Gardens and bookable small events ɳ Create a rejuvenating space with reclined seating nestled in bold, Images courtesy of: top left Kerstin Thompson seasonal planting displays. Architects, top right The Wanderbug (www. thewanderbug.com), bottom left Blanca Begert, courtesty of Brooklyn Botanic Garden, bottom centre Café Cultor, bottom right © 2015 Anita Ng

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 103 ARID AND DRYLANDS PRECINCT

NEW PATHWAYS AND VIEWING PLATFORMS TECOMA REST HOUSE

ARID GARDEN

GUILFOYLE GATE T E E R K T C S A

R N T

O N S A R T E D N A

THE MOUNDS GUILFOYLE’S VOLCANO

EUCALYPT LAWN

NEW PATH

104 6.4 ARID AND DRYLANDS PRECINCT Design statement The area around Guilfoyle (C) and Domain Road (D) Gates, including Guilfoyle’s Volcano, Arid Garden, California Collection and Eucalypt Lawn will be developed into a broader Arid and Drylands Precinct. The new design will begin outside Guilfoyle Gate (C), creating an evocative arid and drylands planting theme that will continue throughout the area. This focus is consistent with the RBGV’s Landscape Succession Strategy and expands on the success of the Volcano development completed in 2010. The centrepiece of the new development will be the redesign of the Arid Garden, where there will be a spotlight on form, colour and the Fields cacti and succulent collection.

Major elements ɳ Redesign and rebuild the Arid Garden ɳ Beautify the entrance at Guilfoyle ɳ Refocus the planting design into dry to better integrate into the overall Gate (C) and strengthen the Gardens’ forest species around the Eucalypt Guilfoyle landscape, and to improve presence on Anderson Street Lawn display and interpretation of the cacti ɳ Refocus the California Collection ɳ Create a serviced marquee space near and succulent collection garden to showcase plants from the the Tecoma Rest House ɳ Rename C Gate entrance, Guilfoyle North America Drylands and rejuvenate ɳ Restore the historic Nareeb Gates at Gate and D Gate entrance, Domain the path system, providing views across Domain Road Gate (D) Road Gate the landscape ɳ Expand rockwork throughout the area ɳ Extend the Australian Forest Walk consistent with Guilfoyle’s vision. around the Eucalypt Lawn, including the minor pathway to meet Guilfoyle’s Images courtesy of: top left Jardin Etnobotanico de Oaxaca, centre bottom Brett Britchard Volcano

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 105 HUNTINGFIELD LAWN AMPHITHEATRE

TO PILLARS OF WISDOM

CITY OF MELBOURNE FERN GULLY PROPOSED TOILETS

LYCH REMOVE EXISTING GATE FENCE

GENTLY STAGE & TERRACED CHANGEROOM AMPHITHEATRE

GOVERNMENT HOUSE GROUNDS NEW CITY GATE ENTRANCE

TEMPLE OF THE WINDS

106 6.5 HUNTINGFIELD LAWN AMPHITHEATRE Design statement The existing Huntingfield Lawn will be gently profiled to become an open-air performance space. The existing Gardens boundary fence will be removed creating a seamless connection to the surrounding Domain Parklands. This allows the existing contouring to inform the design, creating a natural amphitheatre suitable for small boutique performances. A new entrance with an arid planting theme will sit adjacent to the Temple of the Winds, reflecting Guilfoyle’s original vision.

Major elements ɳ Relocate the existing boundary fence ɳ Provide screened dressing room and ɳ Explore the opportunity for a shared and gates and create a new City storage for performance toilet facility with the City of Melbourne Gate entrance at the Temple of the ɳ Strengthen the Gardens’ connection to ɳ Explore options for the realignment of Winds, assisting with wayfinding and the Domain and visibility from the Tan the fence in consultation with Heritage orientation Track Victoria. ɳ Trial the use of the site as a ɳ Improve planting along the performance space Government House boundary to define ɳ Create a gently contoured lawn area the space and stage by building up existing levels, ɳ Use clear trunked shade trees in lawn forming a space for passive use and areas, strengthening the existing providing an area suitable for ticketed landscape character events

Images courtesy of: bottom centre Image courtesy of State Library of Victoria, Temple of the winds. Botanical Gardens. Melbourne, bottom left Kim Wilkie

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 107 6.6 LAKESIDE CONSERVATORY Design statement A new Conservatory is planned by the Ornamental Lake to provide a place for plants and people to meet. This could be a space where people come, regardless of the weather, to meet, work, rest or play in an environment which is brimming with plants. As a working theme, ‘habitat for humans’ would provide a plant experience that is unique and inspiring. The Lakeside Conservatory should be a world-class, green exemplar conservatory that nestles comfortably within the picturesque Guilfoylian landscape with plant collections that support the science and research of the organisation, and the health and wellbeing of visitors to Melbourne Gardens.

Major elements to be considered ɳ Replace the ageing Terrace Tea Rooms, ɳ Create an immersive plant experience ɳ Re-establish the lake edge, lawns and and create a new destination meeting where visitors can sense the intricacies adjoining pathways to reflect Guilfoyle’s place for Melbourne and abundant richness of plants vision ɳ Site sensitively within the picturesque ɳ Explore further the concept of a series ɳ Provide back-of-house entry and exit landscape on the edge of the of controlled climate ‘pods’ that will points including nursery facilities for Ornamental Lake support the living collections and seasonal displays. curation work of the Gardens ɳ Sensitively work with the existing topography to create a series of ɳ Provide a meeting place for the whole terraces nestled into the hill community, including a restaurant, meeting and conference rooms, event spaces and visitor amenity

Images courtesy of: bottom centre Kelli Wong

108 6.7 SENSORY GARDEN Design statement Adjacent to the recently renovated Fern Gully Rest House, a new Sensory Garden has been designed as the final stage of the Fern Gully Restoration Project. The garden will take visitors through a series of immersive plant experiences that are designed to stimulate their senses. Views, beauty, colour, sound, scent, textures and the form of plants will all be exploited to create a remarkable sensory experience. An accessible pathway will be provided and the opportunity for people to take off their shoes and find a place of quiet solitude.

Major elements ɳ Design for visitors with special needs, ɳ Provide a range of seating ɳ Use the Fern Gully Rest House to creating a range of spaces to support opportunities, including community provide a gathering space and people with physical, mental and rock seats, hanging nets and a lotus sheltered seating. cognitive limitations jetty ɳ Create a deliberate, contemplative ɳ Include an accessible pathway through and slow-moving journey through a the space, with a simple bridge to cross series of immersive plant experiences the Fern Gully creek including a bamboo forest, lotus garden, and giant Colocasia garden

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 109 6.8 WILD WOOD Design statement The northern reaches of Hopetoun Lawn will be subtly developed to create the Wild Wood. Nestled under a group of giant oaks, this secluded and wilder area is the perfect place for children and their families to engage in nature-based play, easing pressure on the Children’s Garden. Cubby building, mud play and scrambling will be the main activities and the Learning and Participation team will be able to use the space for Bush Kinder activities.

Major elements ɳ Provide bush kinder and nature play as ɳ Incorporate a log trail and rough an extension of current Learning and pathways Participation programs ɳ Provide access to ‘found materials’ on ɳ Provide unstructured, immersive play site for a range of ages ɳ Create a small treehouse discreetly ɳ Minimise built form and provide built into the oaks definition for the existing space ɳ Provide small-scale seating areas.

110 6.9 CREATIVE SEATING Design statement Several sites in the Gardens including the Sensory Garden, Vireya bed, Tennyson Lawn, Australian Bed and the Mounds offer the opportunity for alternatives to the traditional seating provided by benches around the Gardens. The success of the Bird’s Nest swing in the Fern Gully, and the planned hanging nets in the Sensory Garden are examples which appeal to a different demographic and encourage canopy gazing, forest bathing, or simply provide a ‘hang out’ space for young people and those with different accessibility needs.

Major elements ɳ Develop designs for alternative seating ɳ Select sites which are easily accessible including hanging nets, gentle swings and will protect existing plants and chaise lounge style seating ɳ Create mulch pathways around the ɳ Assess and trial potential new locations seats to provide access and reduce for seating compaction. ɳ Provide seats in a range of sizes, catering to couples, small groups and families

6.10 HERB AND MEDICINAL GARDEN Design statement A new Herb and Medicinal Garden is to replace the existing Herb Garden at the eastern end of the Oak Lawn, the site of Guilfoyle’s 1881 Medicinal Garden. The new design will be a contemporary interpretation of a medicinal garden, seamlessly integrated into the picturesque landscape. The space will be designed for use by the Learning and Participation team, with good access to shaded seating and working spaces.

Major elements ɳ Explore the contemporary relationship ɳ Provide working space and facilities for between biosciences, agriculture, food Learning and Participation programs and habitat ɳ Include an all-abilities access path ɳ Replace the 1985 Herb Garden, through the space. which sits awkwardly in the Guilfoyle landscape

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 111 6.11 NYMPHAEA LILY LAKE Design statement The area adjacent to Nymphaea Lily Lake, including the Ellis Stones Rockery and lower portion of the New Zealand Collection, is to be sensitively redesigned to improve views of the lake and reinstate the lawn sweep reflected in Guilfoyle’s original vision. Significant elements of the original rockery, constructed in 1969, will be retained, but the taller vegetation and large Phormium spp. that block the view will be replaced with lawn, providing foreground and scale to the lake.

Major elements ɳ Remove tall plantings from the Ellis ɳ Sensitively reshape garden beds at the Stones Rockery western end of the New Zealand Bed, and eastern end of the New Caledonia ɳ Reshape the lawn areas to be more Bed to reinstate the mass and void sympathetic to Guilfoyle’s original plan ɳ Remove gravel pathways. ɳ Manage the vegetation in the constructed wetlands to increase the foreground open water when viewed from the Australian Forest Walk

6.12 ENTRANCES Design statement The Gardens’ entrances are to be renamed and gradually upgraded, assisting with wayfinding and reflecting their position as entrances to a world-class botanic garden. The historic fabric will be maintained and improved, while a new range of materials and landscape details will replace the existing surfaces and signage. Wherever possible the planting and landscape detailing will start outside the Gardens and involve consultation with the appropriate external stakeholders.

Major elements ɳ Establish three new gates: Main Gate, ɳ Give consideration, were appropriate, City Gate and Birrarung Gate to developing new decorative gates ɳ Develop a hierarchy in the gate system ɳ Develop strongly themed, high visual- to assist with wayfinding impact planting around all primary entrances ɳ Select design themes for each entrance in response to the microclimate and ɳ Remove G Gate and Lych Gate and area’s broader themes replace them with a new City Gate located near the Temple of the Winds ɳ Repair the fabric of the historic while retaining the historic fabric at gates and fences at each entrance, Lych Gate. commencing with the Nareeb Gates at Domain Road Gate (D) entrance

112 6.13 ORNAMENTAL BRIDGES Design statement The Eel Bridge and the two bridges at each end of Long Island will be reinstated as picturesque landscape features; becoming focal points to be glimpsed across an expanse of water, and places to pause and view the landscape. The design of each bridge will draw inspiration from the landscape with its materials, scale and form, reflecting its place within the Gardens.

Major elements ɳ Design each of the bridges as ɳ Work with the Traditional Owners to contemporary follies, taking inspiration rename the Long Island bridges to from historic forms but designed as a reflect the Birrarung Gate precinct contemporary, artistic feature ɳ Design all bridges for the ɳ Create a sense of transition, appropriate vehicle loads and emphasising the views from the sizes and to be fully accessible. bridges and a feeling of crossing the water

6.14 THE ISLANDS Design opportunity The six islands in the Gardens—Guerard, Fountain, Dallachy, Baker and Ridout Islands in the Ornamental Lake and Sayce Island in Central Lake—all need varying degrees of work. Guerard, Sayce, Dallachy and Baker have been renovated, but require further plant detailing, which will be undertaken gradually. However, Fountain and Ridout Islands require clear design intent statements and more immediate work to manage a range of issues.

Major elements ɳ Improve the island landscapes by ɳ Develop Dallachy Island as an informal addressing weed issues and improving gathering space by re-activating the planting detail existing decking and facilitating boat access ɳ Rejuvenate Fountain Island as an indigenous landscape and habitat zone ɳ Continue to develop Guerard Island similar to Baker Island as a planted focal point with strong foliage and colour detail ɳ Maintain Baker Island as an indigenous landscape and habitat zone, a visual ɳ Continue to develop Sayce Island extension of the Long Island and as a planted focal point with strong Backwater landscape foliage and colour detail and increased foreground planting. ɳ Rejuvenate Ridout Island as an ‘exotic’ habitat zone Images courtesy of: top State Library of Victoria, Pretty Spot in Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, bottom two images Punting on the Lake

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 113 6.15 REST HOUSES AND FOLLIES Design statement In recent years Fern Gully, William Tell, Separation Tree and Tecoma Rest Houses have been restored, complementing the earlier restoration of the Rose Pavilion and Temple of the Winds. Work to the remaining Gardens shelters will enhance their role as picturesque garden follies. The Clematis Shelter will be replaced as part of the Birrarung Gate redesign and Lakeview Rest House will be relocated to an appropriate location on the Northern Border.

Major elements ɳ Replace the non-heritage Clematis ɳ Reconstruct the landscape around the Shelter with a contemporary, architect- Temple of the Winds to better reflect designed shelter as part of the Guilfoyle’s original design intent Birrarung Gate design ɳ Repair the podium of the Temple of ɳ Relocate Lakeview Rest House to the Winds and develop a long-term a location along the eastern end of maintenance plan for care of the Northern Border, reinstating its view structure across the Ornamental Lake ɳ Repair the Rose Pavilion and develop a long-term maintenance plan for its care.

6.16 PICTURESQUE ROCKERIES AND RUINS Design statement The Gardens’ historic rockeries and ruins are important picturesque focal points and are to be restored and replanted. The outstanding Robinette Rockery at East Gate (B) is to be renovated as a picturesque feature and fitting entrance statement. Rockeries at Temple of the Winds, Fern Gully, William Tell Rest House and Five Ways have recently been restored. However, many are still in disrepair or smothered by plants. These are to be refurbished and replanted including the Bluff Rockery and Directors’ Roll.

Major elements ɳ Restore the Robinette Rockery to ɳ Repair and restore all damaged showcase bold foliage plants in keeping rockwork and ruins, including the with Guilfoyle’s vision Touchwood Ruin, Rain Tree Bed Ruin and rockeries opposite William Tell Rest ɳ Commission an engineering House, at Terrace Gate (A), Fern Gully assessment of the Bluff Rockery entrances and Guilfoyle Gate (C) (see rockwork and Directors’ Roll and Landscape Character Plan, page 62 develop a plan for their restoration and long-term maintenance ɳ Reinstate water holding areas within rockeries to provide habitat for small ɳ Allow enough space on the Directors’ vertebrates, especially frogs Roll for the next 20 years of Directors ɳ Restore the original purpose of the ɳ Share the story of the river escarpment, rockeries as a setting for high-impact working with Traditional Owners in the planting, with crannies tastefully display and interpretation adorned with a mix of prostrate, and ɳ Reinstate small-scale plant ledges and foliage plants. refine irrigation

114 SUMMARY MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020-2040

Huntingfield Lawn Amphitheatre

Temple of the Winds North Gate (H) City Gate Directors' Plant Roll Craft Cottage Birrarung Gate Lakeview Rest House Bridge Long Terrace Terrace Island Rain Tree Gardens Bed Ruin Gate Wild (A) Dallachy Lake Wood Bridge Island Crossing Baker Island Fountain Island

Lakeside Touchwood Ridout Ruin Conservatory Rose Island Pavilion Bridge Robinette East Rockery Gate Sayce (B) Island Gardens Observatory Melbourne House Sensory Gate (O) Nature and Observatory Science Garden Precinct The Ian Potter North Foundation America National Drylands Children's Tecoma Herbarium Garden Main Rest Gate of House Victoria Arid and Herb and Drylands Arid F Gate Medicinal Precinct Mueller Garden Lodge Garden Gate (F) Guilfoyle's Centre for Volcano Gardens Leadership Nymphaea Lily Lake Eucalypt Lawn E Gate Lodge Domain South Road Gate Gate (E) (D)

0 metres 100

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 115 7 Implementation and Priorities Fern Gully

The Melbourne Gardens Master Plan 2020–2040 outlines a broad and agreed vision for Melbourne Gardens, developed in consultation with stakeholders and the public. Each project proposal will require further design and technical resolution, and consultation with stakeholders before indicative costings can be produced, and the project funded, documented and eventually completed.

7.1 Due to the rigor of the Master Plan process, when determining the CONSIDERING NEW appropriateness of any new proposal PROPOSALS not already planned for the following will need to be considered: As the Master Plan spans a 20-year period, it is likely that new proposals ɳ Is the project compatible with the will be made which were not foreseen long-term vision and strategy of the as part of the original Master Plan. organisation as a whole? These proposals may not necessarily be inappropriate. For example, the ɳ Is it compatible with the opportunity for The Ian Potter Foundation recommendations of this Master Plan? Children’s Garden was presented after ɳ Does it speak to the aims of the completion of the 1997 Master Plan Development Guidelines and Design but the project was a perfect fit for the Principles? organisation and Melbourne Gardens. ɳ Equally, new projects outlined in this Is it compatible with industry best document will be subject to further practice? feasibility and planning studies, leading ɳ Can the proposal be addressed within to changes in scope and design. If these the framework of another planned changes are significant, RBGV will seek Master Plan project? further comment and feedback on those revised projects.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 117 Contractors work with Gardens’ staff to relocate an advancedDracaena

7.2 7.3 REVIEW PRIORITIES The Master Plan outlines an ambitious The following is a prioritised list of vision for Melbourne Gardens from 2020 works recommended in the Master Plan. to 2040. While the direction of the Plan The Master Plan expresses a long-term should be ongoing, RBGV envisages a vision for the Gardens, and works will review after 10 years (2030). This will need to be staged in order to gradually allow the impact of yet to be completed achieve its aims. In the past, priority has projects such as Anzac Station and been given to critical infrastructure and the Nature and Science Precinct to be works necessary for the operation of the considered, and any new challenges and Gardens, and then to the projects that opportunities embraced. provide greatest community benefit in a cascading priority. Priorities are set by the Board, guided by the purposes for which the Gardens were established, government policy, and corporate plans and strategies. This list of priorities will be subject to change, especially if unexpected opportunities arise, allowing the fast tracking of particular projects.

118 7.3.1 Priorities Arising from Development Guidelines The following provides a prioritised action list arising from the Development Guidelines (Chapter 5). Actions arising from the Future Developments (Chapter 6) are provided in a second table below.

Action Planning Short Medium Long Document 0-5 years 6-10 years 11-20 years Heritage Cultural Heritage Management Plan Interpretation program around connections to Country Implementation plan for the Conservation Management Plan Develop site maps based on the CMP Reflect Aboriginal history in place names ongoing With neighbouring land managers, interpret Aboriginal values of the ongoing wider landscape Recognise and interpret the separate landscape of the Melbourne Observatory Landscape Character Design intent and planting character statements for all garden beds Restore and reshape garden beds ongoing Install steel edging to garden beds ongoing New gardenesque highlight beds ongoing Improve understorey detailing ongoing Increased plant detailing at entrances ongoing Restore and replant rockeries ongoing Restore significant view lines Restore Melbourne Observatory landscape Strengthen the interpretation of the Meridian line Restore bowers and add landscape detailing Restore bridges as ornamental follies Built Form Accommodation Review Master Plan Landscape design concepts for Lodges New cinema ticket booth and projector box New toilets at Government House Border New toilets at Huntingfield Lawn (with City of Melbourne) Expand Eastern Lodge Toilets Expand Touchwood Bed Toilets Expand A Gate Toilets Refurbishment of Plant Craft Cottage landscape Public Art in the Landscape Develop plans and briefs for “fallen giants” Separation Tree art project

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 119 Renovation of the historic Tecoma Rest House

Action Planning Short Medium Long Document 0-5 years 6-10 years 11-20 years Lake System Technical review of wetland treatment system Feasibility study for lake dredging and sediment removal Restore open water view lines and relocate floating islands ongoing Targeted dredging and sediment removal ongoing Access point for harvester to Central Lake Vehicle Movement and Site Storage Strategic plan for site storage and green waste management Strategic plan for waste management and recycling Provide inbuilt tenant storage ongoing Consolidate satellite garden sheds ongoing Install reinforced turf layoff bays ongoing Install paved spaces as parking bays for the pod and onsite partners ongoing Temporary green waste holding bays Contractor and tenant roadway upgrade and marking Implement controlled hours of access Rationalise vehicle movement and entry points New Anderson Street Trade Gate Provide vehicle washdown facilities in the Works Yard Develop boat/harvester storage facility and Marina Redevelop the Works Yard Expand the Green Organics Recycling Centre and provide tenant storage

120 Installing the epiphyte ropes in the Fern Gully Wellbeing Gardens

Action Planning Short Medium Long Document 0-5 years 6-10 years 11-20 years Modify path at East Gate (B) to improve vehicle access Modify path at Palm Lawn to improve vehicle access Shared operations with Government House Soil recycling Landscape Infrastructure Develop standard furniture designs and specifications Develop standard specifications for minor pathway surface treatments Upgrade asphalt pathways ongoing Install layback curbs ongoing Repair terracotta spoon drains ongoing Infrastructure upgrades: fences, furniture, drainage, lighting, power, ongoing water, irrigation and others Install decks over tree roots ongoing Events and Visitor Engagement Develop business cases for new commercial opportunities Upgrade services to event sites (water, power, vehicle access, ongoing accessible pathways, lighting) Paved photo points ongoing New marquee site at Eastern Lawn New marquee site at Glasshouse Lawn New marquee site at top of Hopetoun Lawn Cease use of Dog Flat for marquees

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 121 Action Planning Short Medium Long Document 0-5 years 6-10 years 11-20 years Naming Conventions Work with Traditional Owners to develop name strategies Rename features with tenuous name origins ongoing Rename gates Reaching the Gardens Bicycle racks ongoing Accessible parking bays (with City of Melbourne) Dropoff vehicle bays (with City of Melbourne) Relocate bus parking and drop off (with City of Melbourne) Directional signage and improved wayfinding from CBD (with City of Melbourne) Botanical planting outside entrances (with City of Melbourne) Botanical planting at Pillars of Wisdom (with City of Melbourne) Accessible pathway from Anzac Station and St Kilda Road Visual presence at Anzac Station and along access path Support City of Melbourne to upgrade boat landing Support City of Melbourne in exploring options for public transport along Birdwood Avenue Navigating the Site Interpretation Master Plan Develop self-guided walks and interpretive journeys ongoing Use technology to improve wayfinding and interpretation ongoing Improve intuitive wayfinding, especially around the NSP New lake crossing at Terrace Gate (A) wetland Improve secondary path system ongoing Accessibility Accessibility information on website Upgrade access to public buildings Review options for access to Plant Craft Cottage New accessible connections across the landscape ongoing Fixed seats and landings on steep paths ongoing Provide handrails to all flights of stairs ongoing Increase access to drinking water ongoing Signage showing direct routes ongoing Garden Explorer route expansion ongoing Landscape Succession and Environment Increased tree planting for shade in exposed locations ongoing Restore rockeries to increase free-standing water bodies ongoing Promote habitat creation in veteran trees ongoing Support City of Melbourne in the development of the City Arboretum ongoing Connect the Melbourne Observatory and Children’s Gardens to the Sustainable Irrigation Project Increase planting for micro-climate mitigation on Melbourne Observatory

122 The Aquatic Harvester clearing vegetation from the Ornamental Lake

Action Planning Short Medium Long Document 0-5 years 6-10 years 11-20 years Living Collections Update Collections Management Plans to include design intent statements Update Tree Strategy to provide policies around heritage trees Develop a formal policy to guide commemorative tree requests Develop a pre-planned list for commemorative tree plantings Develop alternatives to specimen lawn trees for commemoration Retire the Viburnum, and Grass and Bamboo Collections Expand the Southern Africa Collection Expand and rename the California Collection to become North America Drylands Collection Expand the Herb Garden Collection into a Herb and Medicinal Collection Redesign the Water Conservation Collection into ornamental beds Develop the Australian Rare and Threatened Collection Transition the species Rose Collection into a ‘Climate Ready’ Rose Collection Expand Lower River Habitat Collection to include plants of significance to Traditional Owners Redesign the triangle beds Reshape garden beds near Palm Lawn Explore options for Northern African, Mexican and South American Collections

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 123 Horticulturists planting the Fern Gully Wellbeing Gardens, 2019

7.3.2 Priorities Arising from Future Developments The following provides a prioritised action list arising from the Future Developments (Chapter 6).

Project Short Medium Long 0-5 years 6-10 years 11-20 years Nature and Science Precinct National Herbarium of Victoria and vault with re-opened 1934 building Melbourne Observatory and Great Melbourne Telescope House re-opened to public Centre for Gardens Leadership New Learning and Participation spaces The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden expansion Reworked pathways and entrances Expanded Visitor Centre and visitor engagement spaces Birrarung Gate Terrace Gardens

124 Project Short Medium Long 0-5 years 6-10 years 11-20 years Arid and Drylands Precinct Arid Garden North America Drylands Guilfoyle Gate (C) Connection to Australian Forest Walk Domain Road Gate (D) and Nareeb Gates Huntingfield Lawn Amphitheatre City Gate and Temple of the Winds landscaping Amphitheatre Toilets with City of Melbourne Lakeside Conservatory Sensory Garden Wild Wood Creative Seating Herb and Medicinal Garden Nymphaea Lily Lake (including Ellis Stones Rockery) Entrances (remaining) East Gate (B) South Gate (E) North Gate (H) Ornamental Bridges Eel Bridge Long Island Bridges The Islands Fountain Island rejuvenation Ridout Island rejuvenation Dallachy Island reactivation Guerard Island planting Sayce Island planting Rest Houses and Follies Relocate Lakeview Rest House Repair Temple of the Winds podium Repair the Rose Pavilion Picturesque Rockeries and Ruins Robinette Rockery Fern Gully entrance rockeries Guilfoyle Gate (C) Rockery Bluff Rockery and Directors’ Roll Touchwood Ruin Terrace Gate (A) Rockery Rain Tree Bed Ruin William Tell Rest House Rockery

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 125 8 References 8.1 INTERNAL REFERENCES John Wardle Architects, 2019, Nature & Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, 2014, Science Precinct, Schematic Design Corporate Plan 2014 -2019, Royal Allom Lovell & Associates, 1996, The old Report, Revision A, Volumes 01 and 02, Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne Observatory site, Birdwood Avenue. John Wardle Architects, Melbourne Melbourne: conservation management Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, 2016, plan, Allom Lovell & Associates, Kerstin Thompson Architects, 2019, 100% Cranbourne Gardens Master Plan 2016 Melbourne Schematic Design Report, Royal Botanic - 2016, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Gardens Victoria, Staff Accommodation Melbourne ASPECT Studios, 2019, Nature & Science Building, Kerstin Thompson Architects, Precinct, Draft report, ASPECT Studios, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, 2016, Melbourne Melbourne DRAFT Business Case, Protecting Kerstin Thompson Architects, n.d (c.2018), Victoria’s Botanical Heritage, Draft Bates Smart, 2016, Royal Botanic Gardens Nature and Science Precinct Conceptual Business Case 2.12.16, Royal Botanic Victoria, Melbourne Gardens, Building Building Master Plan, Kerstin Thompson Gardens Victoria, Department of Master Plan, Bates Smart, Melbourne Architects, Melbourne Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Brandhook, September 2019, Nature and Melbourne Laidlaw & Laidlaw Design, 2019, RBGV Science Precinct Final Market Research Melbourne Gardens, Nature & Science Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, 2016, Report Precinct, Schematic Design Report, Landscape Succession Strategy, Chon, Helen M. [History of the National Laidlaw & Laidlaw Design, Melbourne Melbourne Gardens, 2016 - 2036, Royal Herbarium of Victoria]. (circa 2009- Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne Marlin Communications (Geaves D), 2012). 150p. [unfinished manuscript] 2017, RBGV Value Proposition Board Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, 2017, Located at the State Botanical Presentation and Creative Concepts, Consolidated Engagement and Impact Collection, Royal Botanic Gardens Marlin Communications, Melbourne Strategy 2017-2020: A strategy for Melbourne. MSS 729 (unpub.) growth, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Clark B, 2018, ‘Assessing Melbourne Melbourne Precise Value (Ziviani Michael), 2018, Observatory’s Cultural Heritage Visitor Segmentation Research Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, 2020, Significance’, Conservation Findings: Final Report and Board Living Collections Strategy Melbourne Management Plan, Melbourne Gardens Presentation for Royal Botanic Gardens Gardens 2020–2040, Royal Botanic & Melbourne Observatory, Context, Victoria, Precise Value (unpub.) Gardens Victoria, Melbourne Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, 1997, Royal Botanic Gardens, 2011, Royal Context Pty Ltd (Johnston C, Dyke J), Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne Botanic Gardens Melbourne Access 2017, Aboriginal Heritage Values: Master Plan, Royal Botanic Gardens Action Plan 2011 - 2015, Royal Botanic Melbourne Gardens, Context, Melbourne Melbourne, Melbourne Gardens Victoria, www.rbg.vic.gov.au Context Pty Ltd (Neylon A, et al), 2016, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, 2007, van Rees H, et al, 1993, Royal Botanic State Botanical Collection Significance Implementation of Royal Botanic Gardens soil survey, Centre for Assessment, Context, Melbourne Gardens Melbourne Master Plan (1997): Land Protection Research, Dept. Context Pty Ltd (Neylon A, et al), 2018, A Ten-Year Review, Royal Botanic Conservation and Natural Resources, Conservation Management Plan, Gardens Melbourne, Melbourne Bendigo Melbourne Gardens & Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, 2008, Observatory, Context, Melbourne Strategic Tree Plan 2009 - 18, From Environmental Horticulture, 2017, 2016 Seed To Senescence, Royal Botanic - 17 Integrated Water Management Gardens Melbourne, Melbourne Report, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, 2012, Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne Guilfoyle W R, 1875, Annual report on Strategic Water Plan (2012 - 2016), the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Government Press, Melbourne Melbourne Innoscape (Smith L), 2019, Annual Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Visitor Monitoring Report 2018/2019, National Herbarium of Victoria, Innoscape, Royal Botanic Gardens 2008, Plant Sciences and Biodiversity Victoria, Melbourne Division Master Plan 2008 – 2012, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, National Jellie P, 1996, Chronological landscape Herbarium of Victoria, Melbourne history of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (Cantrill Melbourne D, et el), 2016, Plant Sciences and Biodiversity Division Master Plan 2015 to 2025, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne

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Melbourne Parks Johnston & co., c.1863, Mueller portrait 2010), reproduced with permission of & Gardens, State Library of Victoria, (age 38), reproduced with permission the State Botanical Collection, Royal Melbourne of the State Botanical Collection, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne Anon, c.1906, A Pretty Spot in Botanical Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne State Botanical Collection, 1869, Curator’s Gardens, Melbourne, State Library of Liardet W F E, 1875, The Ferry and Falls on House Botanical Gardens, Historic Victoria, Melbourne the Yarra, Liardet’s watercolours of early Photo Collection 1860-1950, reproduced Anon, c.1908, The Melbourne Observatory, Melbourne, State Library of Victoria, with permission of the State Botanical Shirley Jones Collection of Victorian Melbourne Collection, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne Postcards. Melbourne coloured., State Liardet W F E, 1875, The First Punt, Library of Victoria, Melbourne Liardet’s watercolours of early State Botanical Collection, c.1900, 2-26 Anon, n.d., Rotunda Band Stand, Royal Melbourne, State Library of Victoria, Guilfoyle with Magnolia, reproduced Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, State Melbourne with permission of the State Botanical Collection, Royal Botanic Gardens Library of Victoria, Melbourne Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works, Victoria, Melbourne Bernhard, Ernst, Heyne, E.B, 1864, Plan of 1894, Melbourne and Metropolitan the Government House reserve: Botanic Board of Works, Maps 21 and 26, Map Victorian Surveyor-General (compiled Garden and its Domain indicating the Collection, State Library of Victoria, by Kearney J), 1855, Melbourne and its principal plantations, Map Collection, Melbourne suburbs, Map Collection, State Library of Victoria, Melbourne State Library of Victoria, Melbourne Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works, Cogné F, 1829-1883, 1863 Botanical 1933, Melbourne and Metropolitan Image attributions are fully provided Gardens, The Melbourne album, State Board of Works plan, Map Collection, in text. All remaining images are from Library of Victoria, Melbourne State Library of Victoria, Melbourne either the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria collection, the State Botanical Collection Department of Lands and Survey, Mueller, Ferdinand von, 1873, Plan No. 1 or the private collections of Master Melbourne, 1945, Photo-Map Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1873, State Botanical Plan team members Andrew Laidlaw B4B or 848 B4B Zone 7, University of Collection, Royal Botanic Gardens and Andrea Proctor. All images are Melbourne Map Collection, Melbourne Victoria, Melbourne reproduced with permission. Department of Lands and Survey, Nettleton C, c.1875, Photograph - Great Design by Actual Size Melbourne, 1948, Plan of the Melbourne Melbourne Telescope, Melbourne Botanic Gardens, University of Observatory, South Yarra, circa 1875, Melbourne Map Collection, Melbourne Melbourne Observatory Collection, Museums Victoria

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 129 ENDNOTES 26 ibid., p 32 50 pers comm. Cathy Kiss, Senior Open 27 ibid., p 173 Space Planner, City of Melbourne 1 Innoscape Pty Ltd, 2019, Annual 28 ibid., p 173 25/01/18 Visitor Monitoring Report 2018/2019, 29 Gross A, 1972, Dallachy, John (1808- 51 Innoscape Pty Ltd, 2019, Annual p 2 1871), Australian Dictionary of Visitor Monitoring Report 2018/2019, 2 Context (2017) Royal Botanic Gardens Biography vol 4 u p 6 Victoria Aboriginal Heritage Values: 30 Jellie P, 1996, Chronological 52 Jellie P, 1996, Chronological Landscape Melbourne Gardens, p 11 Landscape History of the Royal History of the Royal Botanic Gardens 3 ibid., p 28 Botanic Gardens Melbourne, p 4 Melbourne, p 10 4 ibid., p 11 31 Context, 2018, Conservation 53 Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, 2017, 5 ibid., p 28 Management Plan Melbourne Gardens Engagement and Impact Strategy 6 ibid., p 28 & Melbourne Observatory Royal 2017-2019: A strategy for growth 7 ibid., p 11 Botanic Gardens Victoria vol 2a, p 117 54 Context, 2018, Conservation 8 Department of Environment, Land, 32 Jellie P, 1996, Chronological Management Plan Melbourne Gardens Water and Planning, NatureKit, Landscape History of the Royal & Melbourne Observatory Royal 9 Context, 2017, Royal Botanic Gardens Botanic Gardens Melbourne, p 5 Botanic Gardens Victoria vol 1, p 118 Victoria Aboriginal Heritage Values: 33 ibid., p 11 55 Guilfoyle W R, 1875, Annual Report, Melbourne Gardens, p 9 34 Aitken R and Looker M, 2002, Oxford p 6 10 ibid., p 9 Companion to Australian Gardens, p 56 Innoscape Pty Ltd, 2019, Annual 11 ibid., pp 15, 36, 39, 57 423 Visitor Monitoring Report 2018/2019, 12 Context, 2017, Royal Botanic Gardens 35 Watts P, (1983, Historic Gardens of p 8 Victoria Aboriginal Heritage Values: Victoria A Reconnaissance, p 43 57 Garden Gazette, vol. 1, no. 8, February Melbourne Gardens, p 13 36 Gillespie, R, 2008, Great Melbourne 1903, pp. 158-159 13 ibid., p 13 Telescope, Museums Victoria 58 Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne 14 Aitken R and Looker M, 2002, Oxford Collections (2016) Melbourne Gardens Master Companion to Australian Gardens, p 37 Allom Lovell & Associates, 1997, The Plan 2017, Consultation Report (Stage 98 Old Observatory Site, Conservation 1), DRAFT (internal unpub.), p 9 15 Thacker C, 1994, Genius of Gardening: Management Plan, p 89 59 Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne History of Gardens in Britain and 38 Debarbat S, 1987, Mapping the Sky: Regional Office, Climate Statistics for Ireland, p 233 Past Heritage and Future Directions: Australian Locations (viewed 06/07/17 16 Aitken R and Looker M, 2002, Oxford Proceedings of the 133rd Symposium – data set full period) Companion to Australian Gardens, p of the International Astronomical 60 Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, 521 Union, p 47 2016, Landscape Succession Strategy 17 ibid., p 98 39 ibid., p 47 Melbourne Gardens 2016-36, p 6 18 ibid., p 98 40 Allom Lovell & Associates, 1997, The 61 ibid., p 17 19 Heritage Council Victoria, 1999, Fitzroy Old Observatory Site, Conservation 62 ibid., p 6 Gardens Victorian Heritage Database Management Plan, p 90, 92 63 Centre for Land Protection Research Report, 3 and Aitken R and Looker M, Department Conservation & Natural 2002, Oxford Companion to Australian 41 Clark B, 2018, The History and Resources Bendigo, 1993, Royal Gardens, p 490 Cultural Heritage of the Melbourne Observatory, p 30 Botanic Gardens Soil Survey, p 1 20 Blainey G, 2006, A History of Victoria, 64 Australian Bureau of Statistics, profile. pp 19-21 42 Gillespie, R, 2008, Great Melbourne Telescope, Museums Victoria id, http://profile.id.com.au 21 O’Callaghan T, 1927, Scraps of Early Collections 65 City of Melbourne, City of Melbourne’s Port Phillip History, Victorian Historical Forecast Population Magazine vol 11, issue 44, 207 quoting 43 Allom Lovell & Associates, 1997, The Old Observatory Site, Conservation 66 Royal Botanic Gardens Act 1991, Lonsdale W letter to the Colonial Management Plan, p 25 Schedule 2, item 2, p 37 Secretary 21st October 1836 a 44 ibid., pp 20, 89 67 Heritage Council Victoria, 2002, Royal 22 Jellie P and Whitehead G, 1992, A Botanic Gardens Heritage Database Landscape History of the Melbourne 45 Letter, Mueller to Robert Ellery, Melbourne Observatory. 6 June 1862. Report, p 5 Domain, p 2 VPRS 780, unit 3. Cited in Allom Lovell 68 Yarra River Protection (Willip-gin 23 Context, 2018, Conservation & Associates Pty Ltd 1997 Birrarung Murron) Act 2017 Management Plan Melbourne Gardens 46 Allom Lovell & Associates, 1997, The 69 Context, 2018, Conservation & Melbourne Observatory Royal Old Observatory Site, Conservation Management Plan Melbourne Gardens Botanic Gardens Victoria vol 1, p 19 Management Plan, p 25 & Melbourne Observatory Royal 24 Context, 2018, Conservation 47 ibid., p 27 Botanic Gardens Victoria vol 1, p 162 Management Plan Melbourne Gardens 48 Bates Smart, 2016, Royal Botanic 70 Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, & Melbourne Observatory Royal Gardens Victoria Melbourne Building 2019, Living Collection Strategy Botanic Gardens Victoria vol 1, p 20 Master Plan, p 42 Melbourne Gardens 2020-40 (internal 25 Aitken R and Looker M, 2002, Oxford 49 Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, unpub.), p 31 Companion to Australian Gardens, 2016, Protecting Victoria’s Botanical p 262 Heritage DRAFT (internal unpub.), p 7

130 8.4 INDEX B Gate (East Gate) 24, 32, 40, 63, 80, 114, Cinema. See outdoor cinema 121, 125 City Gate , 80, , , 107, 112, , 125 Page numbers in bold refer to Plans 4 81 106 115 B Gate Lodge 24 City of Melbourne i, iii, 1, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 31, A B Gate Rockery. See Rockeries and Ruins, 35, 38, 48, 50, 51, 52, 54, 57, 60, 78, 81, Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 51 Robinette Rockery 82, 86, 88, 107, 119, 122, 125 Aboriginal Heritage Values: Melbourne Bicycles 32, 81, 82, 101 Clematis Shelter 24, 32, 62, 63, 79, 100, Gardens 17, 51, 55 Bins. See Rubbish bins 101, 114 Aboriginal people. See Traditional Owners Biodiversity ii, iii, 12, 49, 87, 88, 91, 94, 97 Climate ii, iii, 3, 5, 7, 24, 26, 41, 43, 47, 54, Accessibility 10, 18, 32, 33, 34, 67, 74, 77, 56, 57, 85, 87, 88, 90, 91, 108, 122 Birdwood Avenue 1, 5, 28, 31, 32, 32, 38, 81, 83, 84, 85, 86, 102, 111 40, 50, 82, 99, 122 shade 68, 88, 91, 107, 122 accessible connection from Anzac Birrarung ii, iii, 3, 5, 15, 16, 17, 21, 31, 32, 46, Climate change ii, 5, 7, 26, 47, 54, 56, 57, Station 33, 81, 84, 86 51, 55, 55, 57, 60, 63, 73, 80, 82, 83, 90, 85, 87, 88, 90, 91 accessible parking bays 81, 82, 84, 86 93, 101, 112, 113, 114, 124 Conservation Management Plan 15, 37, 51, handrails 74, 86, 122 falls 18, 35 54, 60, 61, 63, 119 seating iii, 26, 84, 85, 86, 102, 103, 109, Straightening of the river 16 Consolidated Engagement and Impact 111, 122, 125 Strategy 2017-2020 7 Birrarung Gate iii, 4, 5, 55, 60, 63, 71, 73, universal access 86 80, 81, 82, 100, 101, 112, 113, 114, 115, 124 Consultation i, iii, 1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17, 34, 50, 51, 56, 57, 74, 91, 94, 107, 112, 117 wheelchair 86 Board. See Royal Botanic Gardens Board See also: Gardens Explorer Victoria Corporate Plan i, 29, 53, 78, 93 A Gate (Terrace Gate) iii, 4, 5, 24, 32, 33, Boat landing iii, 5, 81, 101, 122 Corymbia & Eucalyptus Collection 16, 17, 25, 27, 36, 44, 46, 89 39, 40, 50, 63, 67, 69, 72, 73, 76, 77, 78, Boat storage 70, 71 79, 80, 82, 102, 103, 114, 119, 122, 125 Cranbourne Gardens 1, 25, 49, 56 Bollards 74, 96 A Gate Lodge 24 Cronin, John 23 Botanical Illustrators 11 Alexandra Avenue 5, 16, 17, 31, 32, 82, 83, Cultural Heritage Management Plan 51, 55, Botanic gardens ii, 3, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 23, 103 60, 119 25, 26, 46, 49, 88, 90, 91 Amphitheatre. See Huntingfield Lawn Culture ii, 1, 9, 13 Botanical planting outside gates 81, 82, Amphitheatre 122 Cycad Collection 42, 46, 89 Anderson Street 4, 19, 31, 32, 39, 40, 102, Botany. See plant science D 103, 105, 120 Boundary plantings 88 Dallachy Island 32, 113, 115, 125 Anzac Station 3, 7, 32, 33, 57, 81, 82, 84, Dallachy, John 19 86, 118, 122 Bowers 20, 21, 62, 63, 80, 119 Dallas Brooks Drive 1, 3, 32, 35, 37, 38, 56, Aquatic Harvester 68, 70, 120 Bridges 5, 20, 26, 39, 62, 63, 68, 71, 113, 115, 119 71, 72, 81, 83, 94, 95, 96, 97 Araucariaceae Collection 46 Built form Dance, Chris 37 Arboretum 23, 36, 62, 64, 89 existing 39, 40, 65, 66 Department of Environment, Land, Water Arboricultural 10, 49, 56, 72, 91 and Planning (DELWP) 1, 8, 10, 49 new 61, 63, 65, 66 Arid and Drylands Precinct iii, 4, 5, 53, 81, Development Guidelines 5, 11, 32, 58, 59, Bush kindergarten iii, 4, 5 89, 91, 104, 105, 115, 125 63, 93, 117, 119 Buses 32, 33, 33, 57, 79, 81, 82, 101, 103, 122 Arid Garden iii, 4, 5, 23, 26, 32, 43, 90, D Gate (Domain Road Gate) 32, 33, 34, 71, 104, 105, 125 C 80, 105 Arrival points 96 Cacti & Succulent Collection iii, 5, 46, 89, Directional signage 82 90, 105 Art 67, 91 Director and Chief Executive i, iii, 1, 24, 25, Arthur, John 18, 19 California Collection 32, 43, 89, 90 49 Arthur’s Elms 19 Camellia Collection 23, 32, 46, 89 Directors’ Roll 32, 62, 114, 115, 125 Astronomical Society of Victoria ii, 11, 28 Car parking 5, 32, 32, 33, 33, 37, 64, 81, 82, Dog Flat 32, 70, 76, 77, 78, 80, 121 83, 94, 99 Astronomy 3, 26, 27, 28 Domain Parklands 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 17, Central Lake 24, , 35, , , 69, 70, 113, Australian Border 21 32 62 68 31, 50, 52, 57, 64, 88, 99, 107 120 Australian Forest Walk 32, 34, 41, 46, 68, Domain Parklands Master Plan 2019-2039 Central Lawn 24, 32, 71, 77, 89, 105, 112, 125 3, 7, 9, 11, 57, 81 Centre for Gardens Leadership 1, 83, , Australian Garden 1, 25 95 Domain Road 31, 32, 32, 52, 80, 82, 105, 97, 115, 124 112, 125 Australian Rainforest Collection 25 C Gate (Guilfoyle Gate) 32, 43, 80, 91, 104, Domain Road Gate. See D Gate Australian Rare & Threatened Collection 105, 114, 125 46, 62, 89, 90, 123 Drainage 16, 35, 36, 45, 70, 74, 121 Children 1, 3, 5, 9, 25, 33, 34, 35, 38, 40, 46, Dredging 68, 70, 120 B 47, 56, 64, 67, 79, 85, 88, 93, 94, 96, 97, Baker Island 32, 44, 113, 115 110, 117, 122, 124 Drinking fountains 74, 84, 85, 86 Baldwin, Joseph 26 Children’s Garden. See Ian Potter Dunlop Plaza 94, 97, 98 Baracchi, Piertro 26 Foundation Children’s Garden E Barak, William 16 Churchill, David 24 Eastern Lawn 23, 32, 121

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 131 Eastern Lodge 32, 40, 66, 72, 73, 77, 78, Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Hopetoun Lawn iii, 5, 23, 32, 77, 79, 110, 121 119 Melbourne 8, 24 Horticulture ii, 3, 5, 10, 13, 17, 18, 20, 23, 36, East Gate. See B Gate Furnishings 72, 74 40, 47, 53, 72, 87, 88, 94 Eel Bridge 24, 32, 63, 68, 113, 125 G Huntingfield Lawn 20, 23,32 , 36, E Gate (South Gate) 4, 32, 40, 80, 82, 125 Garden beds 3, 5, 21, 25, 28, 34, 35, 36, 37, Huntingfield Lawn Amphitheatre iii,4 , 5, E Gate Lodge 32, 40 39, 41, 42, 63, 64, 79, 80, 88, 91, 99, 112, 68, 77, 78, 84, 106, 107, 115, 119, 125 119, 123 Ellery, Robert 26, 27 I Garden sheds , 73, 120 Elliot, Peter 25, 37 71 Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden, Gardenesque 21, 23, 31, 35, 36, 39, 63 The 1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 25, 32, 33, 35, 38, 40, 46, Ellis Stones Rockery 4, 5, 24, 32, 62, 63, 62, 64, 77, 93, 96, 97, 117, 124 68, 112, 125 Gardenesque highlight beds 64, 89, 119 Indigenous and remnant vegetation 16, 35, Engagement and Impact i, 7, 49, 54, 57, Garden Explorer 34, 71, 72, 73, 84, 85, 86, 37, 41, 44, , 76, 93 122 89 98 Irrigation 69, 88, 122 Entrances iii, 4, 5, 10, 25, 28, 32, 32, 33, 37, Gardens House 24, 32, 39, 40, 46, 51, 71, 39, 40, 64, 73, 81, 82, 83, 84, 86, 94, 95, 72, 77, 83 non-irrigated areas 88 96, 97, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, Gardens Shop 25, 28 Sustainable Irrigation Project 69, 88, 122 107, 112, 114, 119, 122, 124, 125 Gate Lodge 24, 37, 40, 67, 73, 98 Working Wetlands 5, 7, 25, 40, 69 Entwisle, Tim i, iii, 25, 49 Gates. See Entrances and individual gates Islands 5, 21, 70, 113, 120, 125 Eucalypt Lawn 4, 32, 36, 62, 77, 104, 105 G Gate 32, 39, 43, 112 J Eucalyptus Collection. See Corymbia & Government House 1, 5, 11, 15, 18, 23, 26, Jessep, Alexander 23 Eucalyptus Collection 28, 31, 32, 33, 36, 60, 73, 74, 78, 83, 96, K Events 3, 12, 47, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 88, 107, 119, 121 Kerbs 34, 74, 86 91, 103, 107 Grass Garden 62, 89, 91, 123 layback kerbs 86 External Reference Panel i, 8, 10 Great Melbourne Telescope iii, 5, 27, 28, 37, F 50, 64, 66, 82, 94, 99, 124 Kerstin Thompson Architects i, 56, 93, 97, 101, 103 Fallen giants 67, 69, 119 Great Melbourne Telescope House 27, 32, Kings Domain 25, 28, 31, 32, 35 Families iii, 5, 54, 85, 110, 111 37, 50, 64, 94, 98, 124 Kulin Nation i, 1, 3, 13, 15, 55, 60 Fauna and wildlife 5, 48, 53, 69, 88 Green curtain 41, 42, 44, 64 L bats 25, 48 Green waste 71, 73, 120 La Trobe, Charles Joseph 18 birdlife 20 Green Organics Recycling Centre 32, 71, 73, 120 Lagoon. See Tromgin eels 16, 48 holding bays 71, 73, 120 Laidlaw, Andrew 25, 40 foxes 48 shared operations 4, 71, 73 Laidlaw, William 23, 29 frog 88 Grey Garden 24, 46, 89 Lake Crossing 4, 81, 101, 115, 122 Grey-headed Flying Foxes 25, 45 Guerard Island 32, 113, 115, 125 Lakeside Conservatory 4, 5, 56, 62, 66, possums 48 Guilfoyle Gate. See C Gate 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 84, 86, 88, 91, 101, 103, Powerful Owl 48 108, 115, 125 Guilfoyle, William ii, 7, 10, 13, 17, 20, 21, 23, Superb Fairy-wrens 48 28, 35, 39, 42, 43, 63 Lakeview Rest House 4, 26, 32, 50, 62, 63, turtles 48 114, 115, 125 Guilfoyle 1909 plan 61 water dragons 48 Landscape character 3, 33, 36, 37, 40, 41, Guilfoyle’s Volcano iii, 4, 5, 7, 25, 26, 32, 44, 62, 63, 64, 66, 68, 87, 88, 90, 91, 107 wildlife refuge 5, 88 40, 43, 46, 68, 74, 79, 89, 104, 105 Fences 64, 74, 81, 106, 112, 121 Landscape succession 5, 26, 46, 47, 54, 56, H 57, 64, 87, 88, 90, 91, 105, 122 Fern Gully 32, 39, 41, 45, 48, 89 Habitat 5, 12, 48, 53, 63, , 69, 87, 88, 91, 68 Landscape Succession Strategy 2016- rejuvenation 34, 40 108, 111, 113, 114, 122 2036 5, 26, 46, 47, 54, 56, 64, 87, 88, 90, Fern Gully Rest House 32, 43 Health and wellbeing iii, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 91, 105 26, 54, 56, 87, 88, 103, 108 Wellbeing gardens 26 Langhorne, George 16 Herb and Medicinal Garden , 5, , , F Gate (Mueller Gate) 4, 23, 29, 32, 32, 40, 4 62 89 Lawns 3, 5, 21, 34, 35, 37, 39, 41, 64, 73, 76, 111, 125 57, 67, 71, 80, 81, 82, 95, 97 115, 91, 94, 99, 108 Herbarium. See National Herbarium of F Gate Lodge 32, 67 Learning and Participation Centre. See Victoria Five Ways 114 Nature and Science Precinct Herb Garden 24, 32, 34, 42, 63, 89, 90, 111, Floating Islands. See Wetlands, floating Learning and Participation programs 33, 123 Islands 38, 55, 79, 103, 110, 111 Heritage values 3, 7, 54, 60, 61 Floral displays 21, 23, 97 Learning spaces ii, 4, 5, 38, 56, 65, 79, 94, Heritage Victoria. See Victorian Heritage Food and beverage outlets 5, 37, 56, 65, 94, 97, 98, 103, 110, 111, 124 Register 77, 96, 97, 102, 103, 108 Lighting 74, 78, 99, 121 H Gate (North Gate) iii, 5, 24, 32, 33, 39, Food plants 10 Living collections 5, 11, 13, 35, 41, 46, 56, 57, 43, 51, 80, 125 Food security 10 83, 87, 88, 90, 91, 108, 123 Historic buildings 64 Fountain Island 32, 113, 115, 125 diversity 41, 45, 48, 54, 57, 63, 87, 88, 91

132 Living Collections Strategy Melbourne archive ii, 1, 3, 5, 9, 15, 28, 29, 40, 56, 66, renewal 25, 94, 108, 124 Gardens 2020-2040 46, 56, 88, 90 87, 93, 94, 96, 124 surfaces 110, 111, 112 Lodges 5, 40, 63, 67 botanical art collections 1 Pedestrian crossings 81, 100 Long Island iii, 4, 5, 7, 16, 24, 25, 32, 34, 40, library ii, 1, 3, 5, 9, 15, 28, 29, 40, 56, 66, Perennial Border 25, 32, 34, 39, 40, 41, 46, 44, 48, 60, 63, 68, 69, 70, 79, 88, 101, 113, 87, 93, 94, 96, 124 89 115, 125 specimen collection ii, 1, 3, 5, 9, 15, 28, Pescott, Richard 23, 24 Long Island Backwater 32, 68, 69, 70, 101, 29, 40, 56, 66, 87, 93, 94, 96, 124 Photo points 79, 121 113 vault ii, 3, 29, 56, 95, 96, 124 Picturesque 5, 13, 17, 20, 21, 23, 24, 35, 36, Lower Yarra River Habitat Collection 46, Victorian Conservation Seedbank 73 39, 41, 43, 44, 59, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 69, 89, 90 National Heritage Listing 50, 60 83, 88, 90, 108, 111, 113, 114 Lych Gate 32, 33, 57, 80, 112 National Trust 52 Planning Scheme 51, 52 M Nature and Science Precinct i, ii, 4, 3, 5, 10, Plant Craft Cottage 19, 24, 32, 40, 62, 66, Main Gate 4, 71, 80, 81, 82, 112 11, 25, 56, 60, 66, 67, 72, 73, 78, 79, 82, 67, 84, 86, 119, 115, 122 Mapping database 61 83, 88, 93, 94, 94, 95, 98, 115, 118, 124 Plantings iii, 4, 5, 10, 19, 21, 26, 35, 36, 38, Marina 4, 68, 70, 71, 72, 120 Children’s Garden 94, 95, 96, 97 41, 43, 64, 69, 88, 89, 90, 91, 99, 112, 123 Marquees 71, 76, 77, 78, 121 entrance 94, 96 Planting styles 41, 89, 90 Melbourne Observatory ii, iii, 1, 3, 4, 5, 9, Learning and Participation Centre ii, 4, arid and rockery 41, 43, 89 10, 11, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 37, 40, 50, 61, 5, 56, 65, 79, 94, 97, 98, 124 Fern Gully 36 , 64, 66, 93, 94, 97, , 99, 119, 62 98 115, staff accommodation 1, 5, 25, 28, 37, green curtain 41, 42, 44, 64, 89 122, 124 80, 97 indigenous and remnant vegetation 41, Astrograph 37 visitor engagement spaces 4, 94, 96 44, 89 cadastral surveying 27 Western Lawn 97, 95 subtropical 21, 41, 42, 89 character zone 61, 62, 64 See also: Melbourne Observatory, Plant knowledge ii, 12 National Herbarium of Victoria and history of 15, 24, 26, 27, 28, 50 Plants ii, 1, 5, 7, 10, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, Ian Potter Foundation Children’s landscaping 4, 5, 9, 35, 61, 62, 88, 89, 24, 26, 36, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 49, Garden 94, 98, 119, 122 53, 54, 56, 57, 60, 63, 72, 87, 88, 90, 91, magnetic surveys 27 Nesting boxes 88 97, 99, 101, 105, 108, 109, 111, 114, 123 Main Observatory Building 28, 32, 37, New Zealand Collection 32, 41, 45, 46, 89, Plant science 3, 5, 12, 13, 19, 20, 24, 26, 28, 40, 98 112 29, 91 Meridian line 64, 98, 119 North America Drylands 4, 46, 89, 90, Pop-up spaces 73, 77, 78 123, 125 Photoheliograph 26, 37, 98 Princes Lawn iii, 32, 36, 42, 77 Northern Border 5, 32, 63, 73, 83, 101, 114 public performance and engagement Programming 5, 13, 75, 76 North Gate. See H Gate 71, 77, 78, 98 Protecting Victoria’s Environment: restoration ii, iii, 4, 10, 11, 13, 25, 61, 66, Nursery Lodge 40 Biodiversity 2037 3, 57 93, 94, 99, 124 Nymphaea Lily Lake 16, 32, 62, 68, 69, 70, Public transport 10, 32, 33, 81, 82, 122 112, 115, 125 telescopes iii, 5, 27, 28, 37, 50, 54, 64, Q 66, 82, 94, 99, 124 O Quercus Collection 46, 89 timekeeping 3 Oak Lawn ii, 3, 5, 25, 32, 56, 75, 77, 79, 111 R See also: Astronomical Society of Observatory Café 25 Rae, Frederick 23 Victoria, astronomy, Gate Lodge, Observatory Gate. See O Gate Great Melbourne Telescope, Great Remnant. See indigenous and remnant Observatory House 37, 40, 97, 98 Melbourne Telescope House, vegetation meteorology, National Heritage Observatory. See Melbourne Observatory Ridout Island 32, 113, 115, 125 Listing, Nature and Science Precinct, O Gate 25, 28, 32, 33, 37, 80 River Red Gums 16, 17, 44 Observatory House, Southern Cross Opening hours 33 Lawn, Visitor Centre Rockeries and Ruins 5, 21, 23, 36, 39, 62, Ornamental Bridges. See Bridges 63, 88, 114, 119, 122, 125 Melbourne skyline. See skyline Ornamental Lake iii, 1, 5, 21, 32, 34, 48, 55, Bluff rockery 24,32 , 62, 114, 125 Meteorology 3, 26, 27, 47 68, 69, 70, 73, 77, 80, 86, 101, 108, 113, Fern Gully rockeries 62, 114 Moors, Philip 24, 25 114, 123 Five Ways rockery 32, 62, 114 Mounds 21, 32, 104, 111 Outdoor cinema 24, 33, 71, 76, 77, 119 Rain Tree Bed rockery 62, 114, 115 Mueller, Ferdinand 7, 13, 17, 20, 28 P Robinette Rockery 32, 62, 71, 114, 115, Mueller Gate. See F Gate Palm Lawn 32, 121 125 N Palm Collection 36, 41, 42, 32, 46, 89 Temple of the Winds rockeries 62, 114 Naming practices 60, 75, 80, 83 Paths 5, 19, 21, 33, 34, 35, 36, 64, 72, 73, 74, Terrace Gate rockeries 62, 114 83, 85, 86, 99, 122 National Herbarium of Victoria ii, 1, 3, 4, 5, Touchwood Ruin 32, 43, 62, 114, 115, 125 9, 15, 28, 29, 32, 40, 56, 66, 84, 87, 93, accessibility 34, 78, 82, 84, 121 Volcano rockeries 62, 114 94, 94, 95, 96, 124 minor paths 81, 83, 104 William Tell rockery 32, 41, 114 realignment 74, 81

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA — MELBOURNE GARDENS MASTER PLAN 2020–2040 133 Rose Pavilion 32, 59, 114, 115, 125 Tecoma Rest House 32, 61, 77, 104, 105, Victorian Heritage Register 8, 10, 11, 50, 51, Rose Collection 11, 25, 32, 46, 59, 89, 91, 120 60, 107 114, 123 Temple of the Winds iii, 4, 16, 21, 32, 34, Victorian Visitor Economy Strategy 3 Royal Botanic Gardens Act 1991 1, 24, 49 35, 39, 43, 62, 106, 107, 112, 114, 115, 125 Views. See vistas Royal Botanic Gardens Board Victoria i, iii, Tennyson Lawn 19, 32, 42, 62, 111 Vireya bed 81, 111 1, 3, 7, 8, 11, 24, 25, 28, 49, 61, 94, 118 Terrace Gate. See A Gate Visitor Centre 4, 5, 11, 25, 28, 32, 37, 56, 66, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew 17 Terrace Gardens iii, 4, 5, 65, 67, 71, 76, 77, 79, 96, 97, 102, 103, 108, 124 Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne 1, 15, 78, 81, 84, 79, 102, 103, 115, 124 Visitors ii, iii, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 13, 31, 33, 34, 36, 24, 50 Terrace Tea Rooms 5, 24, 25, 32, 40, 48, 38, 48, 54, 59, 60, 66, 75, 76, 79, 82, 83, Royal prefix 23 63, 70, 108 85, 86, 88, 93, 94, 101, 108, 109 Rubbish bins 74 Terrestrial Orchid Collection 91 Vistas iii, 3, 5, 10, 36, 62, 76, 99 Toilets 25, 28, , 73, 78, 79, , 103, , S 32 84 106 W 107, 119, 125 Sanctuary ii, 3, 7, 10, 12, 20, 31, 75 Water bodies 39, 69, 88, 122 Touchwood Ruin. See Rockeries and Ruins Satellite workstation 71, 72 Water Conservation Collection 32, 89, 91, Trade Gate 123 Sayce Island 32, 113, 115, 125 Works Yard 32, 71, 73, 120 Wayfinding 11, 34, 37, 57, 80,81 , 82, 83, 97, Scientific ii, 1, 3, 7, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 107, 112, 122 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 35, 37, 41, 46, 49, 53, Anderson Street (Eastern Lodge) 32, 56, 61, 63, 75, 87, 88, 91, 93, 94, 108 71, 73 81, Western Lawn 25, 29, 32, 40, 41, 77, 83, 97 Seasonal planting 103 Traditional Owners i, ii, iii, 1, 3, 11, 15, 17, 51, Wetlands 11, 48, 62, 68, 69, 70, 112 54, 55, 57, 59, 60, 80, 90, 101, 113, 114, floating Islands68 , 69, 120 Seating iii, 84, 85, 103, 109, 110, 111 122, 123 water treatment 11, 69 Creative Seating 111, 125 Aboriginal heritage ii, 3, 7, 60 wetland management 70 See also: Accessibility Boonwurrung i, ii, iii, 1, 3, 11, 15, 17, 51, 54, Sensory Garden 4, 5, 79, 84, 86, 109, 111, 55, 57, 59, 60, 80, 90, 101, 113, 114, 122, Wildlife. See fauna and wildlife 115, 125 123 Wild Wood iii, 4, 5, 79, 110, 115, 125 Separation Tree Rest House 32, 39, 43, 114 Woiwurrung i, ii, iii, 1, 3, 11, 15, 17, 51, 54, William Tell Rest House 26, 32, 35, 43, 114, Separation Tree 26, 39, 43, 67, 119 55, 57, 59, 60, 80, 90, 101, 113, 114, 122, 125 123 Shrine of Remembrance 1, 10, 28, 31, 32, Works Yard ii, 1, 4, 5, 32, 33, 40, 66, 71, 72, 33, 37, 60, 82, 98, 99 Boon Wurrung Foundation 1 73, 97, 120 1, 31, 57 Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal nursery 19, 21, 32, 90, 108 Signage 34, 51, 79, 82, 83, 85, 86, 112, 122 Corporation 1 Y Skyline 35, 91 Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Yarra Mission 16 Heritage Aboriginal Corporation 1 Soil 39, 47, 56, 73, 78 Yarra River Protection (Willip-gin Trees 26, 38, 39, 43, 44, 56, 67, 91, 114, 119, Birrarung Murron) Act 2017 51 Soil recycling 121 123, 125 Yarra River. See Birrarung Southern Africa Collection 32, 41, 46, 89, commemorative plantings 91 90, 123 heritage trees 91, 123 Southern China Collection 32, 34, 41, 46, significant trees 37, 52, 67, 91, 96 73, 89 specimen trees 3, 21, 36, 41, 63, 91 Southern Cross Lawn 32, 37, 68 South Gate. See E Gate Strategic Tree Plan 26, 38, 39, 43, 44, 56, 67, 91, 114, 119, 123, 125 Species Rose Collection. See Rose Collection tree planting 63, 64, 88, 91, 122 Specimen trees 36 tree protection 91 tree roots 74, 121 State Botanical Collection ii, 1, 3, 4, 5, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 29, 50, 57, 87, 88, 93, 94, Triangle Beds 5 96 Tromgin 1, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 55, 55, 69 St Kilda Road 27, 32, 50, 82, 122 U Storage 5, 11, 29, 66, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 76, Urban green space 5, 12 78, 79, 94, 99, 102, 103, 106, 107, 120 V Stormwater 74 Vegetable Garden 38, 94, 97 T Vehicle access 33, 71, 72, 73, 78, 83, 99, 121 Tanderrum ceremonial site 15 closing entrances 71, 73, 103 Tan Track iii, 4, 31, 52, 100, 101, 102, 103, vehicle movement 71, 72, 73, 81, 120 104, 107 vehicle wash down 73 Taylor, John 24 Victorian Government 1, 3, 11, 29, 51, 56, 57, Tea Rooms. See Terrace Tea Rooms 62, 85, 93

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Master Plan Plan Master 2020–2040 Royal Botanic Botanic Royal Victoria Gardens Melbourne Gardens

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Melbourne Gardens – Master Plan 2020–2040