FAQs

  Our Masterplans help to ensure a sustainable future for the three botanic gardens. The review of the 2006 Adelaide Botanic Garden Masterplan is timely. With many of our previous projects completed, actions from the Adelaide Botanic Garden Masterplan 2020 will enhance future visitor experience, whilst facilitating a site of horticultural excellence for growing, displaying and conserving plants. This masterplan also aims to allow the gardens to ‘keep pace’ with the renewal in the East End of Adelaide and the North Terrace Boulevard, focusing on infrastructure and visitor movement.  It does not determine living collections management or commercial opportunities in the botanic garden.

 Gardens staff worked with the original masterplan landscape architects Taylor Cullity Lethlean (TCL) to review and update the previous 2006 Adelaide Botanic Gardens Masterplan. This process incorporated the ideas of the botanic gardens staff, Board members and many stakeholders, and included information provided in the annual visitor surveys undertaken in the gardens. Whilst this process was happening, the need for new sustainable accommodation for the State’s botanical reference collection became more urgent and the development of the Lot Fourteen global innovation precinct began.

The actions for the masterplan were grouped into seven key themes identified as being challenges and opportunities for this botanic garden:

1. Stronger Integration into the North Terrace Cultural Precinct and improved connections between the Lot Fourteen global innovation precinct and Adelaide Botanic Garden.
2. Solutions for sustainable accommodation, informed by a review of existing accommodation.
3. Implementation of sustainable water and waterway management.
4. Revitalisation of the living plant collections and storytelling.
5. Heritage conservation and management of buildings.
6. Site infrastructure upgrades and improvements.
7. Improving and increasing our curated visitor experiences and events management.

Multiple actions are proposed for each of the seven themes and when combined, they can be represented on a “whole site concept map”. This map shows both the suggested physical placement of infrastructure and the primary location of key projects.

Comments can be provided using the yourSAy online survey and online discussion before 10 November 2020.

You can read the draft Adelaide Botanic Garden Masterplan 2020, the proposed enhancements and FAQs. Alternatively, you can visit the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium website.

Yes, when endorsed the Adelaide Botanic Garden Masterplan 2020 will be available as an electronic publication, downloadable from the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium website.

Yes, the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium has actively consulted with our key stakeholders. 

No. The three botanic gardens under the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium Board’s governance - Adelaide, Mount Lofty and Wittunga Botanic Gardens - are all free to enter.

No. Many of the historical buildings in the gardens have changed their appearance and function over time. Any changes to the Francis Arbour will be planned with the advice of a specialist Architect and designed to respect the cultural importance of the structure, add value to the garden and visitor experience.

The now vacant former Royal Adelaide Hospital site adjacent to the Adelaide Botanic Garden is the location of the new Aboriginal Art and Cultures Centre, and the botanic gardens will work with Lot Fourteen to create an integrated public open space between the new Centre and the Adelaide Botanic Garden.

 These heritage buildings would be repurposed if a new visitor, science, education and collections centre is constructed in the future.

Yes.  Final commissioning of the wetlands and the proposed lakes changes will ensure an effective, efficient, self-sustaining water management system within the Garden

Yes, subject to future funding, both wayfinding and storytelling signage is proposed to be improved.

Yes, the heritage buildings will remain in use and conserved.  The horticultural depot is no longer fit for purpose and when funded, a smarter, energy-efficient building on the current site will be established to increase functionality, productivity and safety for staff.

Yes, subject to future funding.

Yes, subject to future funding. Paths and seating will be repaired or replaced. Ideally, a new raised boardwalk will be constructed that passes through the 150-year-old Morten Bay Fig Avenue to protect the tree roots and extend the life of the trees, and to increase accessibility and the visitor experience. The plan also proposes relinking the north and south paths of Main Walk by a bridge over the lake.

 Yes, subject to future funding, new universal access paths and increased access is proposed.

Events will continue to be held in Botanic Park but the number and frequency of events will continually be assessed. The proposed new infrastructure is about reducing impacts on the park whilst assisting event producers to offer Adelaide audiences wonderful performance experiences.