Press Releases

31 June 2004

Australian Garden grant win for Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne

The Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne has been awarded a $167,000 grant by the City of Casey to build the Rockpool Pavilion in the Australian Garden.

The grant has been welcomed by Chris Russell, Divisional Director, Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne as a “key contribution” to helping establish a crucial element in one of the most important new botanic gardens to be created in Victoria over the past 100 years.

The Rockpool Pavilion overlooks the Rockpool Waterway, one of the focal points in the Australian Garden. The Pavilion will provide shelter for visitors at the end of the Rockpool Waterway and will be a place for families to congregate.

Mr Russell said that while the Government requires the Australian Garden to be financially self-supporting once it is open, a special deal had been worked out within the business plan for City of Casey ratepayers.

“We will be offering Casey ratepayers free admission for two adults in the first year, and a two-for-the-price-of-one entry offer in years two and three.  Children under 16 years of age gain free entry to the Australian Garden at all times,” said Mr Russell.

 “We very much hope that this deal will encourage local people to visit the Australian Garden, and enjoy learning more about Australian plants,” he said.
Mr Russell said that the remainder of the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne would remain free entry for everyone.
 
The first eleven hectares of the Australian Garden is currently under construction. Funding for this first stage, which costs $13.1 million, has come from the Victorian Government ($9.3 million) and the remaining $3.8 million is being sourced from corporate sponsors, philanthropic trusts, individual donors and other non-government sources.

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