GISBORNE Botanic Gardens has received $130,000 as part of the State Government’s Growing Victoria’s Botanic Gardens grants program.
A total of 26 gardens across the state will share in $2.42 million in the latest round of grants.
Gisborne Botanic Gardens will use the $130,000 to deliver several improvements to expand the garden’s living plant collection, and for the installation of an automatic recycled water irrigation system.
Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas said Malmsbury Botanic Gardens would also receive a $50,000 grant to upgrade the current manual irrigation system to an automatic system.
The upgrade will maintain and improve plant health, ensure efficient delivery of water to trees at a more desirable time, and improve visitor experience of the gardens during summer months.
Ms Thomas said the grants were part of a $4 million, two-year program to upgrade the state’s botanic gardens.
The first round of grant funding invested $1.48 million in projects at 17 of Victoria’s botanic gardens in 2019.
Most of the gardens to receive funding in the grants program’s second round are located in regional Victoria where they make a significant contribution to the tourism industry.
Round two of the Growing Victoria’s Botanic Gardens grant recipients will use the funding to deliver a range of upgrades that will improve water supply, address climate change, encourage education and community collaboration and improvement management.
Ms Thomas said Victoria’s botanic gardens provided beautiful places for people to visit and relax, as well as protecting plants and ecosystems and offering valuable scientific and educational opportunities.
“The Gisborne and Malmsbury Botanic Gardens are well loved by Macedon Ranges locals and visitors alike and this funding will help to make it an even better experience for everyone,” she said.
“This government’s investment in Victoria’s botanic gardens supports our wide-ranging efforts to conserve our precious native plants and animals.
“Last year has reminded many Victorians of just how important nature is for our health and wellbeing.
“Our continuing investment in botanic gardens across the state supports that.”
