Victoria Government funding seeks to preserve treasured botanic gardens

The Victorian Government is to provide $1.4 million to help preserve and improve Victoria’s precious botanic gardens.

Round One of the Growing Victoria’s Botanic Gardens Grants Program will provide grants to 17 gardens across Victoria.

The projects include improving water supply and irrigation, replanting specimen trees, plant collection labelling, new innovative garden areas, and upgrades to facilities and attractions.

The Program was launched this year and will provide nearly $4 million over two years. The value of the grants has been boosted by substantial local financial and in-kind co-contributions to projects.

The grants include:

• $250,000 for Australian Botanic Gardens Shepparton for the supply of water to the site.
• $255,000 for Bendigo Botanic Gardens for the design of a visitor centre precinct and
• $35,000 for the Melton Botanic Gardens for solar lighting to increase community use.
• Victoria has a rich legacy of botanic gardens established in the 19th century and there are now more than 40 across the state.

With Victoria having a rich legacy of botanic gardens, with now more than 40 across the state, the gardens hold significant collections of trees and plants, offer iconic landscapes and open spaces, support research and provide for people to visit, relax and come together.

Most were established in the 19th century.

The Program also supports the objectives of Biodiversity 2037 - the Victorian Government’s plan to stop the decline of the state’s native plants and animals and improve the natural environment for a healthy, sustainable future.

Round two of the Growing Victoria’s Botanic Gardens Grants Program will open in mid-2020.

Commenting on the funding, Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio stated “Victoria is blessed with beautiful gardens and these grants will help them remain healthy for future generations.

“Botanic gardens are the lifeblood of so many communities and we need to look after them - that’s what these grants are all about.”

For more information and a full list of Round One grant recipients, visit forestsandreserves.vic.gov.au.

Images show the Bendigo Botanic Garden.