National Arboretum Canberra Infrastructure Master Plan

V4 2016 Note: This is a living document and subject to change. Projects described are conceptual and inclusion in the plan does not imply any commitment to funding, timeframe or scope.

This plan describes only infrastructure projects and does not include consideration of education, research or other programs that may be funded through philanthropic donations.

GPO Box 158 Canberra ACT 2601 | phone: 132281 www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au

Short Term Projects 0 - 5 years

Projects with established funding

Ref Project Explanation Priority

Location Notes

1 Stage 1 landscaping to the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion and Event Garden

Detailed design of pavilion forecourt, landscaping and event garden; implementation if some landscaping elements.

High Immediate surrounds of the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion

Funded in 2015-16 as part of Events Terrace project. Includes possible recognition of Waldron family. Stage 2 not funded- see item 7.

2 Complete landscaping to Events Terrace, including surfacing pathways, planting and turfing, connection to services (power, water, lighting)

Improves accessibility and amenity. Connect power and water to selected focal areas such as event gardens and amphitheatre in order to facilitate events and functions. Establish tree avenues and lighting.

High Events Terrace Funded in 2015-16 as part of Events Terrace project. Decomposed granite gravel or asphalt to be used for walkways.

3 Gallery of Gardens – site preparation Provide a prepared site for the Gallery of Gardens and seek external funding to construct gardens.

High Gallery of Gardens - Events Terrace

Site preparation funded in 2015-16.Two gardens being funded by donations for construction in 2016. Funding required for remaining gardens.

4 Public amenities at Pod Playground Development of additional toilet and drinking water infrastructure at Pod

High Pod playground toilet and drinking water; Events Terrace drinking water

Drinking foundations completed in 2015, Pod toilet funded in 2015-16

GPO Box 158 Canberra ACT 2601 | phone: 132281 www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au

Ref Project Explanation Priority

Location Notes

5 Circuit Terrace trail incorporating lookouts Implement Circuit Trail linking the Village Centre to Dairys Farmers Hill

High As identified in Trails Concept Plan

Completed in spring 2015. Additional trail works can be rolled out as funds become available.

Projects for which funding may be sought in the future

Ref Project Explanation Priority

Location Notes

6 Gallery of Gardens garden development, Sky Garden Implement up to 7 gardens based on site preparation provided in 2015-16. Includes “Sky Garden’ along the top tier/terrace surrounding the Village Centre.

High Gallery of gardens and Terrace One

Two gardens funded bny donors(celebration Garden and Mununja the Butterfly garden). Two additional gardens in final stages of negotiation with donors.

7 Landscaping to Margaret Whitlam Pavilion (Stage 2) Implement stage 2 of the Preliminary Sketch Plan to create the Event Garden.

Very High

Events Terrace Budget bid to be developed for 2016-17 or seek philanthropic funding

8 Permanent parking at Margaret Whitlam Pavilion Provide parking within comfortable walking distance from Margaret Whitlam Pavilion

Very High

Near Margaret Whitlam Pavilion

Temporary arrangements in place, long term solution required within 3 years as per NCA advice. Budget bid to be developed for 2016-17

9 Events Terrace large group facility Install bus turnaround, shelter and toilets at eastern end of Events Terrace to cater for bus groups, to complement Gallery of Gardens

High Events Terrace Sketch Plan developed in 2015.

GPO Box 158 Canberra ACT 2601 | phone: 132281 www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au

Ref Project Explanation Priority

Location Notes

10 Thrive: Forest irrigation project Build on infrastructure established in Stages 1-4 of the project to maximize the number of forests that have access to mains-delivered irrigation

Very High

Whole of site Stages 1-4 completed, Budget bid to be developed for 2016-17.

11 Implement strategic review of forests including planting remaining forests

Grow and plant forests not yet planted and address failed forests

Very High

Whole of site To be guided by a strategic review of forests being undertaken in 2015.

12 Federation Forest Provide area to facilitate Federation Forest plantings High Part of Forest 32 near Margaret Whitlam Pavilion

Ministerial commitment. Initial concept plan produced but requires design.

14 Additional multi-use trails for walkers and cyclists Provide quality trails to add to the range of products and experiences for visitors. Encourage interaction with forest and facilitate interpretation.

High As identified in Trails Concept Plan

Trails to Wide Brown Land, STEP and DFH were installed in 2014-15.

15 Trail gazebos and interpretation Install gazebos at strategic locations along new trails, to facilitate interpretation and add to the visitor experience

High To be determined New project. Potential project for Friends fundraising.

16 Upgrade unsealed forest roads Most roads require re-surfacing to shed water and thus reduce ongoing maintenance costs, reduce sediment movement, facilitate safer public access and provide for safe fire management

High Boundary road, River Road, Totara road, other connecting roads

Medium term solution prior to sealing roads as per project 30.

17 Accommodation for Arboretum staff Develop permanent accommodation for staff including horticultural depot staff and office based staff.

High Current depot location west of main car park

Essential to replace temporary demountables. Potential links to Project 33- Friends, Volunteers and Education Centre

GPO Box 158 Canberra ACT 2601 | phone: 132281 www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au

Ref Project Explanation Priority

Location Notes

18 Sealing of high use areas including asphalt seal to main car park

Replace gravel surfaces with asphalt or concrete in high use areas including Events Terrace, admin buildings, MWP car park, depot and back of house Village Centre. Replace temporary 2 coat seal on main car park with permanent seal

Med Around VC and Events Terrace, main car park

New project . Safety and amenity issue. Priority will increase as existing surfaces age.

19 Upgrade overflow car park Improve parking conditions and accessibility of the site and provide for temporary use as an event centre for large events

Med Overflow car park To include pedestrian movement improvements, lighting, access controls, parking machines, asphalt seal

20 Provide sustainable power supply to works depot Enable staff and contractors to operate safely and effectively from depot

Med Depot Water connected in 14-15. Off grid power supply the preferred option, being progressed as renewable energy project in 2015-16.

21 Internal upgrade to Margaret Whitlam Pavilion Internal furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) not up to level required for paid events

Med Margaret Whitlam Pavilion

Requires functional brief and design

22 Upgrade to Sprout Café serving area Required to improve service times and ease of customer access.

Med Inside Village Centre

New project .Ginger Catering to have input.

23 Upgrade of interpretation Implement upgraded interpretive features both within and outside the Village centre, with an emphasis on utilizing mobile technology

Med Village Centre and whole of site

Includes progression of A-Positive multi media initiative and Arboretum app.

GPO Box 158 Canberra ACT 2601 | phone: 132281 www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au

Ref Project Explanation Priority

Location Notes

24 Wetland /viewing platform at the Western dam, including bird hides

Storm water management and additional visitor cohort

Low Western dam Requires design, Government grant/ sponsorship funding to be sought. Good links to trail network.

25 Walking track to Australian National Botanic Gardens Link ANBG and Arboretum by a walking trail to the north of the site

Low Northern section of the site

Partnership to be developed with ANBG and Parks Service.

26 Amphitheatre stage Permanent stage for events/ performances Low Base of Amphitheatre

Feasibility study required. Potential for external sponsorship.

27 Pin Oak Forest viewing platform and pathway (Freefall) Implement the winning design for the 2014 Engineers Australia Freefall Design Competition

Low Freefall Pin Oak Forest 41

Engineers Australia are actively seeking corporate and private sector funds for construction in partnership with ACT Gov. Low priority for funding but high priority for in kind support

28 Recycling and storage area Install on-site facilities to recycle and reuse green waste

Low Former quarry site Forest 39

Project added as per TCL Master Plan. Site has been partially developed for such use but requires additional infrastructure and equipment.

GPO Box 158 Canberra ACT 2601 | phone: 132281 www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au

Medium Term Projects 5 - 10 years

Ref Project Explanation Location Notes29 Boutique accommodation Boutique accommodation/tree houses Appropriate forest to be

determinedPublic/private partnership when economic climate conducive.

30 Sealing of major roads Sealing of key roads to facilitate visitor access to forests

Cork Oak Road, River Road, parts of Boundary Road

Tie in with future connections to Molonglo suburbs.

31 Pull off zones for parking Enable children, seniors and people with disabilities better access to forests and facilities

Forest Drive adjacent to forests 19, 21, 23, 40, 44

Potentially major works required to achieve. Requires design and input from ACT Roads

32 Additional picnic / BBQ areas and toilets As the Arboretum matures, additional visitor facilities will be required within the forests

Requires further analysis to determine suitable sites

Link to development of trails and increased road access.

33 Friends, Volunteers and Education centre Provide a facility for Friends, and volunteers and incorporate a n education space 9classroom, theatre etc)

To be considered- potentially same location as arboretum staff depot.

34 Conference facility and tourist accommodation (hotel) Medium sized facility with meeting rooms and accommodation. Commence EOI process when economic conditions suitable.

Appropriate forest to be determined – indicate site north of Forest 76

Public/private partnership. Links to boutique accommodation.

35 Canopy walks Canopy walks through a semi-mature to mature forest

Himalayan Cedars - Forest 11

Major attraction

36 Village Centre amenity improvements Install glass roof to cutting, glass wind shelter to north deck to increase useabiity of these areas in windy and rainy conditions. Install additional bike racks to VC precinct.

Village Centre New project

37 Extension of Margaret Whitlam Pavilion Extend/augment existing building to increase its capacity as a function venue

Margaret Whitlam Pavilion

New project

38 Conservatory or belvedere to Events Terrace Install additional facility for use a function venue

Events Terrace Project added as per TCL Master Plan.

GPO Box 158 Canberra ACT 2601 | phone: 132281 www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au

Long Term Projects 10+ years

Ref Project Explanation Location Notes39 Welcome Centre Develop a Welcome Centre to the south of

the site as part of the Molonglo Estate development. Includes sealing of River Road to existing Forest Drive

South boundary of the site near future second entrance

Welcome Centre to include coach parking, toilets, refreshments, tours start point

40 Second entrance Develop a second public entrance to the south of the site as part of the Molonglo Estate development. Includes sealing of River Road to existing Forest Drive

South boundary of the site

Contingent on connections to Molonglo. Linked to project 39 Welcome Centre.

41 Artist studio and residence Provide working and accommodation facilities for artist in residence program

Forest 62 and Forest 47 Project added as per TCL Master Plan.. Studio located east of DFH; residence near quarry.

42 Quarry garden Transform quarry site into a focal point for visitors

Near Forest 47 Project added as per TCL Master Plan. Quarry requires rehabilitation, at minimum

43 Add seed bank to Research Centre Extend operations of the research facility to a seed bank

Future accommodation building

44 Third entrance to site Likely to be located to the north west of the Arboretum to connect to Molonglo

North west of the Arboretum

Can only be progressed in conjunction with plans to develop Molonglo.

45 Estate security The development of Molonglo will necessitate improvements to fencing and access arrangements along the Arboretum’s boundary.

Boundary of Arboretum New project

References1. National Arboretum Canberra Advisory Board Master Plan workshop notes, 17 October 2013.2. Taylor Cullity Lethlean - Landscape Architecture concept design, 2008 - 2011.

GPO Box 158 Canberra ACT 2601 | phone: 132281 www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au