A look back in time as garden turns 30
DESCRIBED as the jewel in the Macarthur region’s crown, the iconic Australian Botanic Garden Mt Annan turns 30 this spring.
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DESCRIBED as the jewel in the Macarthur region’s crown, the iconic Australian Botanic Garden Mt Annan turns 30 this spring.
Opened in 1988 as a bicentenary project for NSW, the 416ha garden is a monument to native plant species.
Originally known as the Mt Annan Botanic Garden, it is not just a popular tourist attraction but a hub for plant sciences in Australia, anchored by the Australian PlantBank, which houses millions of seeds, including more than 60 per cent of the threatened species in NSW.
The garden was constructed on land originally owned William Howe in 1824 as part of his Glenlee Estate. It was purchased by James Fitzpatrick in the 1850s and run as a dairy farm until 1978.
In 1984 the NSW Government allocated 400ha for construction of the garden as a major bicentennial project.
It was opened by the Duke and Duchess of York, Prince Andrew and Sarah ‘Fergie’ Ferguson on October 2, 1988.
Curator-manager John Siemon, who has worked at the garden for 17 years, said the milestone year brought into focus the garden’s important place in the Macarthur region’s modern history.
“I often refer to the garden as being the jewel in the crown of the region,” he said.
“A whole generation has gone from being kids to adults and understanding the important role the garden plays.
“I think many people see it mostly as a parkland, but what sets the garden aside is all the plants have an incredible scientific value … it’s almost like a living encyclopaedia of Australian native species.”
Mr Siemon said the garden attracted more than 440,000 people through its gates each year.
“With the growing number of people across not just Macarthur, but also Western Sydney, we’re expecting that number to just keep growing,” he said.
This year, NSW Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton announced the garden would be the new home of the National Herbarium of NSW which will be part of the Centre of Innovation in Plant Sciences, a $60 million investment as part of the Western Sydney City Deal.
“Moving the National Herbarium to Mt Annan will further enhance western Sydney’s reputation as the heart of Australia’s science and technology industries,” she said.
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Mr Siemon said the addition of the Herbarium would be a ‘game changer’ for the garden.
“It’s not only going to be a great tourist attraction but it will make it one of the most technologically advanced installations in Australia to resolve threats to plant species,” he said.
Despite the garden’s success, it has faced significant challenges over the years such as the invasion of the african olive weed.
The Macarthur Chronicle reported in 2016 a herd of 22 goats were brought in to try and control the infestation.
“At the end of the day that project probably didn’t achieve what we had hoped,” Mr Siemon said.
“The goats did a great job of eating the weeds and one of the biggest advantages was that they would grind up their food so they weren’t spreading seeds in their droppings but we just didn’t have enough goats to get on top of it all.”
Camden state Liberal MP Chris Patterson said the garden was a loved and cherished part of the local community.
“This place is also home to many of our precious native animals such as swamp wallabies, lace monitors, echidnas, a long list of bird species and a rare and endangered snail,” he said.
A 30th birthday garden picnic will be held next Tuesday at the Lakeside Lawn with free family-friendly activities, an art exhibition by Julie Hickson, and new horticultural displays unveiled for spring.
Better Homes and Gardens TV presenter Graham Ross will be a special guest.
Details: Australian botanicgarden.com.au
MAJOR MILESTONES
• 1988: Official opening of Garden by the Duke and Duchess of York.
• 1989: Horticultural research section established.
• 1995: Wollemi pine introduced.
• 1998: Woodland conservation area donated by Landcom. Bunya pines established on eastern ridge.
• 1999: Major redevelopment of NSW Seedbank. Woodland Picnic area and stage one of children’s playground opened.
• 2000: Award-winning site Master Plan completed. Volunteer Bushcare program established.
• 2001: Entrance built with dry stone wall and gates. Garden shop and The Gardens Restaurant opens.
• 2002: Natural Heritage section created to manage woodlands and conservation planning.
• 2005: Terrace Garden developed and renamed Connections Garden.
• 2006: Bureau of Meteorology weather station installed. Bottlebrush Garden renamed Big Idea Garden to display sustainable urban horticulture.
• 2007: Stolen Generations Memorial and Macarthur Centre for Sustainable Living opened. Bowden Centre constructed.
• 2011: Name change from Mount Annan Botanic Garden to the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. Opening of new garden entrance off Narellan Road. Garden entry fee abolished.
• 2013: Australian PlantBank opened, receiving multiple awards for architecture and construction.
• 2017: Scientists at the Garden awarded prestigious Global Seed Conservation Challenge in Geneva.
• 2018: $60 million committed by the NSW Government to fund the Centre of Innovation in Plant Sciences, which will house the National Herbarium of NSW.