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Bot Gardens

Hamilton Botanic Gardens Community Precinct and Play Space

Outer space Landscape Architects were appointed as the principal contractor to coordinate the community and stakeholder
engagement, and develop a design, based on the consultation and meeting the the recommendations of
the Hamilton Botanic Garden’s Master Plan (Laidlaw & Laidlaw 2015).

The original project brief was to develop:

  • A nature-based play space reflective of the Hamilton Botanic Garden’s Masterplan
  • To be respectful of the Guilfoyle design principles
  • To design a space that would be inclusive and accessible for all ages and abilities
  • To showcase the zoological historical elements of the gardens
  • To recognise the natural, geographical, and cultural landscape

The Concept design was presented to Council in February 2021, which was a product of the project brief and
engagement with key stakeholders and community engagement.

The Concept design was presented back to key stakeholders and feedback was received from Friends of
Hamilton Botanic Gardens, Councillors, Parks and Garden Staff, Heritage Advisor, Heritage Victoria and
AborSafe (Specialist Tree contractor).

Feedback included:

  • Significant trees within the area must be retained
  • Hard surfaces and paved areas must be kept to a minimum
  • Materials used within the design must be muted and more respectful of heritage status of the gardens
  • Pathway treatment to the main side of the garden- must be universal compliant but materials used
  • sympathetic to existing materials and colours
  • Cottage must be incorporated into the design
  • Acknowledge and incorporation of the zoological history into the design
  • Fence treatment – needs to be sympathetic to the existing fences used within the gardens
  • Any application to Heritage Victoria must be accompanied with a Heritage Impact Assessment
  • Design needs to have natural play elements, not manufactured pre-designed/fabricated elements.
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