A living collection management plan is a vital component required in the draft Noosa Botanic Gardens masterplan to address a lack of focus on the stewardship and development of plant collections, according to the Friends of Noosa Botanic Gardens.
The Friends is a volunteer group of more than 160 members which since 2013 has assisted in the maintenance and management of the gardens.
Last month Friends members Willy Ostwald and Jill Brownlee delivered a deputation to Noosa Council’s ordinary meeting to explain the need for a living collection management plan in the masterplan that is being reviewed to guide the gardens for the next 25 years.
“Without this there is a real risk of turning this botanic gardens into a beautiful park with plants rather than a true botanic institution with purpose, scientific value and educational value for future generations to enjoy,” they said.
The volunteers said a living collections plan would include interpretation, valuation of existing collections, identification of any gaps in the collection, a detailed management plan and records management. It would assist in overcoming some of the issues facing the gardens and assist in identifying future funding in trying to maintain the gardens.
Some of the issues raised by the volunteers included the result of five garden supervisors in the past six years, all with different ideas on plantings of garden.
“This has resulted in lack of clarity. Gardens were planted then pulled up 12 months later,” they said.
“Collections have become fragmented, diminishing its educational observation and curatorial value. There’s little focus on record keeping of gardens.
“In the absence of council action Friends have taken the initiative of identifying, classifying and mapping existing plants. This information was provided to consultants preparing the master plan.”
The volunteers said without its own budget the gardens has no maintenance program in place.
“Recently the bridal walk structure was removed, it was rotted so badly. This area is no longer used for weddings and we understand there is no budget for its replacement,” they said.
The Friends said they agreed with many aspects of the draft Noosa Botanic Gardens masterplan.
“Community feedback clearly enforces the revamped entrance zone and arrival area, the establishment of successful pathways including the promenade, the rejuvenated amphitheatre and seating and shade to make space more useable and new community shelter and new community shelter and information hub with kiosk,” they said.
“These changes will allow more users to access the gardens.
“Our primary concern is the draft master plan does not address one of its key objectives to be stewards of the botanical collection through respecting, enhancing, protecting and promoting the legacy of the existing and future collections. The plan is all about structural improvement of gardens with next to no planning of future botanical collections which is key reason people visit a botanical gardens in the first place.”
Friends want to collaborate with council to achieve a living collection management plan using the toolkit provided by BGANZ, (the Botanic Gardens of Australia and New Zealand), the organisation most botanic gardens belong to including Noosa.
“We strongly recommend a plan be amended to include the immediate appointment of project working group to develop a living collection management plan,” they said.
“The working group should include representatives from council, friends, and external horticulturalists with botanic gardens experience.
Implementation of living collection management plan could be achieved in the short term, over the next 12 months, at minimum costs but will provide huge benefits in protecting and planning future of botanic gardens.”
A Noosa Council spokesperson said a review of submissions and feedback on the draft Noosa Botanic Gardens masterplan was continuing.
Infrastructure Services director Shaun Walsh said the extensive and productive feedback would help refine the draft plan, which will provide a 25-year vision for the gardens.
“This plan, once finalised, aims to reflect the community’s aspirations and guide new works as funding opportunities arise, including opportunities for grant funding.”
“The Friends of Noosa Botanic Gardens remain a key stakeholder in our discussions, and we look forward to further talks with its members and the Stakeholder Reference Group, as the masterplan is finalised,” he said.
The final report will be tabled in Council later this year.
