Gold Coast Botanical gardens: First look at Biodiversity Centre planned for Benowa parklands

A giant development has been unveiled for one of the Gold Coast’s most popular parklands which will dramatically transform the beloved location. ALL THE DETAILS

A giant environmental tourism centre will be built at the Gold Coast Botanical Gardens as part of a new council push to highlight the city’s nature-based assets.

The new Botanical Gardens “Biodiversity Centre” is earmarked for a site in the northern-eastern side of the Rosser Park site and will create a community, education and function facility in one of the city's most picturesque locations. It will have views of the Royal Pines Golf Course and the Nerang River.

The area is currently a popular location for picnics and parties.

According to council’s plans, the giant complex will be managed by the council with the cafe and function centre operating both “in association with the community use” and independently.

Artist impression of the Gold Coast's new biodiversity centre which will be built at the botanical gardens in Benowa. Picture: Supplied by Gold Coast City Council.

“(It is) a multifunctional building intended to provide for visitor information, experiential and educational facilities, research facilities, and management accommodation directly associated with the Botanic Gardens; together with a café and function facility which will operate in association with the community use, and also independently on a commercial basis,” the report reads.

“The centre building will accommodate five main interrelated components: interpretative

spaces and merchandise shop; ‘Friends’ hub and office; flexible spaces; café; and public

amenities and services.

Artist impression of the Gold Coast's new biodiversity centre which will be built at the botanical gardens in Benowa. Picture: Supplied by Gold Coast City Council.

The Biodiversity Centre will be a unique architectural feature, integrated with the Botanic Gardens landscape and design themes, and built using sustainable design technologies, as befitting a hub for environmental discovery and education on the Gold Coast.”

It will be able to host weddings, however it will not be able to operate after 9pm Sunday to Thursday and 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights.

Its function rooms, described as “flexible spaces” will have space for up to 100 people while its cafe will be fully licenced and operate breakfast and lunch services, as well as dinner for functions.

The Cafe will seat 36 people while its alfresco dining will be 45.

Artist impression of the Gold Coast's new biodiversity centre which will be built at the botanical gardens in Benowa. Picture: Supplied by Gold Coast City Council.

The council’s vision statement for the project describes:

“Honouring the integral work of the Botanic Gardens and the Friends volunteers who support looking after it, the creation of a Biodiversity Visitor Centre aims to achieve the delicate balance between conservation, education and being a venue that can facilitate a variety of complementary uses for people of the Gold Coast.

“A combination that will ensure the centre becomes a renowned, self-sustaining, eco-tourism asset that both locals and tourists love to visit time and time again.

“The centre design seeks to create a variety of memorable experiences for all age and abilities and deliver a visually appealing architectural design that references the Botanic Gardens setting, history and context and sustainable design principles.”