This beautiful – and functional – new lake is the centrepiece of a draft master plan to take the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan to the next level.
It is envisaged that the new lake will become a central hub for a range of activities creating a calm and tranquil area for people to get together, rest, relax, and connect with country and culture.
The lake will be encircled by a 1.5km loop walk in the shape of an Aboriginal coolamon (carrying vessel) and two arcs representing people seated and yarning alongside the coolamon.
But there is much more to the master plan than just new facilities and attractions.
The vision of the master plan is to build on the botanic garden’s legacy as an integral place for horticulture, recreation, celebration and science by improving botanical and nature experiences, supporting the community and becoming a global leader among sustainable botanical gardens.
The draft master plan incorporates feedback received during consultation on “six key moves’’ between August 29 and September 26 as part of the first round of community consultation.
This also included cultural and heritage feedback and advice from Dharawal traditional owners, elders, and knowledge holders.
The result has been a draft master plan that prioritises biodiversity and conservation by restoring the Mount Annan site’s natural grassland and Cumberland Plain Woodland.
The preservation and restoration of vegetation will also encourage and protect key wildlife corridors along with the removal of invasive species.
The master plan proposes carefully integrated vehicle and pedestrian networks that will provide a safe, accessible, and comfortable journey through the site and connect to existing facilities such as the National Herbarium of NSW (pictured below) and the Australian PlantBank.
The current car parking and vehicle entries will remain, with new pedestrian entries into the site being established.
Elsewhere on the site, existing mountain bike trails will be retained and enhanced.
The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust is developing the master plan to guide how the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan will evolve into the future.
“The draft master plan seeks to build on the legacy of the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, positioning the site as a leader among sustainable botanic gardens globally,’’ says the report on the master plan.
“With conservation, community, and connection to country at its heart, the draft master plan showcases Australian flora and First Nations perspectives through protecting, restoring, and displaying native plant species.’’
If anyone would like to comment on the master plan they must do so by February 8, 2023 at abgma@wsp.com
