Change in name of Tambourine Mountain garden divides the small community

A rose by any other name still smells as sweet, but when it comes to a city gardens renaming some might disagree.

Visitors wander over a bridge at the Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens. Picture: Adam Head

A ROSE by any other name still smells as sweet, but when it comes to a city gardens renaming some might disagree.

An attempt by Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens Inc to rename the local park has caused one group of green thumbs to see red, with locals now launching a petition to preserve its original title.

During an AGM the managing committee of the Tamborine Mountain Botanic Garden voted change it to Tamborine Mountain Regional Botanic Gardens in the Scenic Rim, which was later announced in early September

The seemingly innocuous vote has sparked a deep division among some long time Tamborine locals who say they don’t believe the Scenic Rim Council should be mentioned, given the gardens were founded and originally funded solely by Tamborine locals.

Chris Davison from Tamborine in the Gardens. Picture: Adam Head

Julie Wilkinson an avid gardener and previously a co-convener for the Springtime on the Mountain Open Gardens Trail said she launched the online petition out of frustration.

It has been signed by more than 130 people since it went live on Saturday.

“The Tamborine Mt Botanic Gardens was created and funded by the local community, initially without any support from the council, over the past four decades,” Ms Wilkinson said.

“Local volunteers devoted their time to turn an unused quarry, set to be a sewerage plant, into the magnificent gardens we have today.

“Tamborine Mountain has always been on the outskirts of Scenic Rim yet we pay very high rates, our roads are ignored, we have no lighting, no town water or sewerage. This is something locals have built themselves.”

“The Tamborine Mountain Gardens represent the unique diversity of plants that grow only on the mountain plateau.”

Ms Wilkinson said she also objected to the Mayor Greg Christensen speaking to the meeting on the proposal.

It is understood he sought leave of those present to speak, and was not afforded a vote.

The committee confirmed the local councillors had been invited but did not attend.

Ms Wilkinson said she believed the name change proposal should have been put forward to the community and itemised on the AGM agenda.

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Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens Inc President Denby Browning said all volunteers were made aware of the proposal before the meeting, and the name change passed unanimously.

Mr Browning said the change reflected a desire by the organisation to emphasise the gardens were truly regional and embedded in Tamborine Mountain while being an important part of the entire Scenic Rim.

“The idea of a name change to include the region has been around for some time,” Mr Browning said.

“Even minutes we have from 1990 show volunteers were discussing how to widen their appeal beyond the mountain. It is nothing new, what we have done had made it a bit more formal."

He said the gardens are registered with Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand Inc (BGANZ) as a regional botanic garden so it made sense to include it in the name.

“People have the right to express their opinion but the idea was put to volunteers beforehand,” he said.

“It is unfortunate a few people chose to speculate and misinform the community about the process and final decision.

“We would prefer all people interested in the activities of the Botanic Gardens contact members of the committee for details before making public statements.”