Gardens Masterplan on Track

Southern Grampians Shire Council is progressing with planned improvement works to the Hamilton Botanic Gardens as part of the Hamilton Botanic Gardens Master Plan.

Adopted in 2015, the Hamilton Botanic Gardens Master Plan will guide its development over the next ten years, providing a structure for future works and management. It will build on the historic gardens, maintaining their heritage significance and well-loved features, while proposing new works which will further enhance these much loved gardens.

Works identified in the masterplan were divided into short term, medium term and long term projects, spanning the ten years of the plan. Council are pleased to advise that the following projects have been completed to date:

The following projects are currently underway:

Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Mary-Ann Brown said Council were fully briefed on the status of the masterplan last week and are pleased with the progress.

“The vast majority of the projects completed have been achieved within the envisioned timeline and a number have been completed well ahead of schedule, namely all the fence and gate restorations,” Cr Brown said.

“Given there have been some significant hurdles along the way, with tender processes, funding applications, heritage permits and staffing changes causing delays with some of the projects, particularly the aviary, we are very pleased with the progress on the Masterplan.

“Work has begun this week on the demolition of the old workshop to make way for the new workshop and accessible toilet and demolition of the old aviaries (both small and large) will be complete within the next two weeks,” Cr Brown said.

“These works would not have been possible without the cooperation of our community and the strong partnership with the Friends of the Botanic Gardens. We appreciate the patience and persistence of the Friends group and thank them for their continued support as we deliver on these important works for the benefit of the Greater Hamilton community,” Cr Brown said.

The new flight aviary, identified as a major priority in the masterplan is expected to be complete in early June 2019.

The restoration of the Thompson Memorial Fountain, funded by the Victorian Government, begins this week. Investigative works by specialist contractors will take place in the first instance to determine the appropriate restorative treatments required, prior to the commencement of the repair, cleaning and repainting works.