Grants to grow gisborne and malmsbury botanic gardens

The Andrews Labor Government is investing $2.42 million in 26 botanic gardens through the Growing Victoria’s Botanic Gardens grants program, with Gisborne Botanic Gardens and Malmsbury Botanic Gardens both receiving grants.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, said the grants are part of a $4 million, two-year program delivering on the Andrews Labor Government’s election commitment to upgrade the state’s botanic gardens.

Gisborne Botanic Gardens has received $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.

Malmsbury Botanic Gardens has received $50,000 to upgrade the current manual irrigation system to an automatic system. This 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.

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 rural and regional Victoria where they make a significant contribution to the local tourism industry.

Round 2 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.

Victoria’s botanic gardens provide beautiful places for people to visit and relax as well as protecting plants and ecosystems and offering valuable scientific and educational opportunities.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas:
"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."

"This government’s investment in Victoria’s botanic gardens supports our wide-ranging efforts to conserve our precious native plants and animals."

"2020 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."