The Australian National Botanic Gardens is developing a 20-year Master Plan that will provide a blueprint for its future development.

“I’m excited to announce that a consortium of architects and landscape architects, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer and Taylor Cullity Lethlean, have been selected to develop a 20- year Master Plan for the Australian National Botanic Gardens,” said Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment. 

“A key objective is to develop plans for new infrastructure and other attractions to support the growth of the Gardens’ visitor experiences, educational and recreational opportunities without impacting on the precious living plant collection.

“There’s lots of ideas on the table, such as a new visitor centre, cafe, pathways and learning experiences for children. The master plan will seek to identify the ideal mix of facilities for the future.  

“We anticipate phasing in the master plan over a 20 year period with funds from a variety of sources including the Parks Australia capital works budget.

“The scope of the Master Plan will also include a new seed bank and horticultural facilities which will increase the horticultural, research and conservation capabilities of this important national institution.

“A public consultation period will be held during December 2014 following the release of the draft concept plan.  It is anticipated that the final Master Plan will be developed by June 2015.”  

Senator for the ACT, Zed Seselja welcomed the funding, “Canberra has a great reputation as the bush capital and the further enhancement of the Botanic Gardens will attract more tourists to the city.”

The master planning team brings together some of Australia’s leaders in botanic gardens and public park master planning with experience that includes the National Arboretum Master Plan, Australian Garden Cranbourne Botanic Gardens, Adelaide Botanic Gardens Master Plan and the Sanctuary at Tidbinbilla.

Tonkin Zulaikha Greer are architects with a leading reputation for design excellence having won over 100 major design awards at international, national and state levels. Taylor Cullity Lethlean are landscape architects with expertise in open space design and public infrastructure.  Taylor Cullity Lethlean is the most awarded landscape architecture practice in Australia.