The Hamilton Botanic Gardens was identified, in a 1981 study of Victoria’s historic gardens, as being of state significance. In 1990 it was classified by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).
Council began a four year process in 1990 to develop a Conservation Analysis, Policies and Management Plan funded by the National Estate Grants Program and City of Hamilton to analyse the site and provide guidelines and recommendations for the conservation, restoration, management and development of the gardens to ensure retention of significant features and sympathetic development in line with the Garden’s historic character and botanic role.
The Hamilton Structure Plan 2011 noted that Council needed to undertake a plan of management or master plan for the Hamilton Botanic Gardens to ensure its sustained use.