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The Vision ‘Horsham Botanic Gardens is a botanic garden of major significance’ This implies a focus on ‘quality’, botanic function, regional positioning and supporting facilities

Horsham Botanic Gardens master plan

Ji l l Orr-Young landscape architects

Summary

This is the first master plan to be commissioned for the Horsham Botanic Gardens since Ernest Lord’s ‘Revised Layout’ of 1936, which documented existing conditions and some new features. This plan represents a reclaiming of the botanic reserve in its entirety and a rejection of its fragmentation into separated uses which disregard the whole. The community’s rediscovery of William Guilfoyle’s original 1880 plan for the gardens has provided an invaluable ‘touchstone’. But Guilfoyle’s letter to Council, which accompanied his plan and provided plant details, is yet to be found, and may never be found. The Horsham Botanic Gardens master plan is a strategic plan for the future of the botanic gardens as a sustainable resource, providing prioritised recommendations and indicative costings. It introduces a contemporary view of wetlands, indigenous woodland, Aboriginal cultural heritage, water conservation and recreation/leisure needs in a ‘botanic’ context.



Table of Contents

Page No.

The Vision

Summary

1. Introduction 1A Master Plan 1

Master Plan Process 1Community Consultation 1

Botanic Garden 2Land-Use and Non-Botanic Roles 2

2. Opportunities to Achieve the Vision 3

3. Historical Context 4What is the Guilfoyle legacy? 4

What is the Ernest Lord Legacy? 4

4. The Plant Collections 7The Tree Collection 7

Outstanding Specimen Trees 8Scarred Trees 9Millar Avenue 9

5. Guiding Principles & General

Recommendations 10

6. Precinct Recommendations 12

7. Costing 15

8. Design Guidelines 19

9. References 24

The Master Plan



Appendix 1: Development History

Appendix 2:

Tree Report

Appendix 3: Caravan Park



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1. Introduction A Master Plan A master plan addresses ‘the big picture’ of how different land-uses co-exist, how they compete with or complement the primary purpose of the place - in this case ‘botanic garden’ - and how new ideas and opportunities can be incorporated, in response to changing community needs. Its purpose is to provide a ‘framework’, to ensure that new development is integrated by staging and priority rather than by response to whim or passing fashion. It defines linkages with adjoining systems, landscape character and planting themes, path alignments and access points, themes for built components, special features and interpretive/educational strategies. A master plan is not the same as a management plan, which prescribes how a resource will be managed, nor is it intended as a construction document: the detailed design of component precincts will still be required. Master Plan Process The Horsham Botanic Gardens master plan process proceeds from research and understanding of the history of its development, to a ‘vision’ for future development, and expansion as opportunities which support the vision. Recommendations and design guidelines are a further step in the process, completed with prioritising of recommendations and indicative costings. The loss of knowledge of the development history of a place is often the first stage in a loss of direction. The history is not just a chronological listing of ‘events’, but an understanding of the human intentions and cultural changes represented, from earliest times. The story told should engage the readers’ imagination and lead to new questionings and appreciations. There are always new discoveries to be made, and knowledge resides not just in the written work but in the site itself, which only a local community can really know through a long association with the place. Thus, the Horsham community has provided vital input into the development of this master plan. Community Consultation Community consultation has been the consultant’s focus over three extended visits to Horsham. Consultation has included meetings with Council officers and the steering committee, one-on-one meetings with stakeholders, an open public meeting evening, exhibition of a preliminary master plan concept and distribution of questionnaires for community feedback. There has been a two-way exchange of information, informed discussion (eg. what is a botanic garden?) and extensive archival research (eg. development history of the Horsham Botanic Garden, Appendix 1). The ‘vision’ was developed at one such community meeting and represents ‘a call to action’ for what might be, as well as a community’s pride in its history. It stresses ‘quality’ and ‘best practice’ in all decisions affecting the gardens.



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Botanic Garden A botanic garden is different from a public garden or reserve, in that its primary purpose is its botanical collection. The botanic function was traditionally supported by acclimatisation trials, scientific classification and education. In nineteenth century botanic gardens across Victoria, the botanical collection was based on introduced plant species, but this has changed over time to reflect an increasingly important conservation role, in relation to a dwindling indigenous flora and rare or threatened species. Today, the primary roles of a botanic garden are widely acknowledged as scientific (botanic), education, conservation (urban ecology, cultural heritage, water conservation) and recreation (leisure) values. The Horsham Botanic Gardens received its earliest support from the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, in the form of Director William Guilfoyle, who prepared the first master plan (1880). Available support continues today in a sharing of research and exchange of ideas via the Victorian Regional Botanic Gardens Network. Several of the Objectives adopted by the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne (although somewhat lacking the ‘poetics’ necessary in any garden) are applicable to the Horsham Botanic Gardens:

• To conserve, protect and improve the botanic gardens and managed land and their collections of living plants

• To increase public knowledge and awareness of plants and plant

communities

• To provide for the use of the botanic gardens for education, public enjoyment and tourism

Land-Use and Non-Botanic Roles A large proportion of the botanic gardens reserve remains ‘unclaimed’, or given over to non-botanic roles. Research has established that the Horsham Botanic Gardens reserve (Gov’t gazette 15 June 1883) is larger than popularly realised. It includes the Caravan Park, the Lawn Tennis Club, the Croquet Club, the Council depot and caretaker’s cottage, children’s playground, remnant woodland extending west to include Baker Street and the former creek and south to the Wimmera River. The tennis and croquet facilities currently occupy the ‘heart’ of the botanic gardens reserve. While both are important recreation activities in the Horsham region, their expansion over time has been at the expense of less-structured recreational activities and the botanic role of the gardens. Their long-term future within the gardens must be considered within the context of business plans. Each club has expressed an idea of future expansion, which cannot be accommodated (with associated vehicular traffic) within the primary focus of a botanic garden, and a new ‘home’ will be increasingly more difficult to find as the city continues to grow.



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2. Opportunities to Achieve the Vision These ideas were developed in discussions with the community, and have been a basis for developing master plan recommendations. Development of the gardens to feature 3 distinctive landscape characters:

exotic (19th century ‘imported’ plants) native (‘Australian’ plants)

indigenous (the ‘original’ vegetation including woodland and riparian/wetland), requiring different management strategies for the different ‘types’ No further expansion of tennis courts, croquet lawns, play ‘equipment’, car parking or caravan park within the botanic gardens reserve Long-term relocation of tennis and/or croquet facilities (in the context of the city’s strategic plan for sporting facilities), which currently occupy the ‘heart’ of the botanic gardens reserve. Note: this is not to deny the importance of either facility, but rather to recognise it in a regional context - each has expressed an idea of future expansion, which cannot be accommodated (with associated vehicular traffic) within the primary focus of a botanic garden Long-term relocation of the caravan park Further implementation of key aspects of the Guilfoyle Plan: (path circuit, botanic collections, river access, lake/wetlands development). Development of a path system to recognise ‘walking’ as an increasingly popular group fitness activity, in conjunction with the new ‘City Gardens’ housing development. Paths in the gardens are wide, but opportunities to complete ‘circuits’ and to link with the river are cut off. Development of plant ‘collections’ to expand the botanic role (note OPCA – Ornamental Plant Collections Association). Future development of the curator’s residence as a ‘tea room’/coffee shop, expanding into a north-facing courtyard. This proposal requires economic analysis and a business plan. Minimised impact of vehicles and access roads, reorganised car parking. Linkages: strategic partnerships for tourism and economic development (eg. regional tours); landmark trees; path links. Formation of a Friends Group to ‘champion’ the renewal process.



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3. Historical Context The reservation of 40 acres 27 perches (16 ha) for the Horsham Botanic Gardens was ambitious for its time: cf. Hamilton Botanic Gardens 1881 and Warrnambool Botanic Gardens 1877 (both 10 acres ~ 4 ha), Melbourne Botanic (al) Gardens (1873) (74 acres ~ 30 ha). However William Guilfoyle was the link between all four gardens. What is the Guilfoyle legacy? William Guilfoyle (1840 – 1912) is acknowledged as a major figure in the history and design of botanic gardens in Victoria. His ‘picturesque’ design style typically featured a framework of wide serpentine paths, with a careful positioning of tree groups and shrubberies to direct views across lawns. The effect is expansive, and fundamentally different from an enclosed space formed of dense avenues along narrow paths. During his career in Victoria, Guilfoyle prepared master plans for 7 botanic gardens, including Melbourne, but not all have survived or been found. The master plan for Horsham Botanic Gardens is therefore a rarity, currently held at the Horsham Historical Society. But the notes which explained the plan and its codes for planting, in a report to Council, have not been found. In 1996, Guilfoyle’s legacy in Victoria was celebrated in a program of garden visits, lectures and inspections of historic archives, organised by the Australian Garden History Society, as a tour of the western district of Victoria. At that time, the Horsham plan had only just been rediscovered and little was known about Guilfoyle’s contribution at the Horsham Botanic Gardens. In order to rediscover Guilfoyle’s contribution in the fabric of the gardens, we can overlay an existing conditions plan on the 1880 plan (Figs 1 & 2). From this process we can see that the river has been widened, but the land boundaries can still be identified. Guilfoyle’s intention was to retain the native Box trees for their picturesque effect, and to incorporate an existing creek into a lake feature. The gardens’ layout from the main entrance, with wide serpentine paths, triangular bed, (and some remnant paths), remains intact. We can assume that the Elms and Oaks on the north-east lawn, because of their age, were an intention of Guilfoyle’s plan. Major compromises are noted in loss of lawn spaces and shrubberies in the centre of the gardens, and the path link to the river. What is the Ernest Lord legacy? The map of Australia rock garden and pool is the major surviving feature in the gardens from the period of Ernest Lord’s curatorship. It first appeared on Ernest Lord’s ‘Revised Layout’ Plan of 1936 and was photographed as completed and planted in 1938. It demonstrates a more domestic design scale than Guilfoyle’s ‘broad brush’. Some of the extant feature trees eg. Corymbia citriodora Lemon-scented Gum, may also be attributed to Lord.



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Fig 1 Existing Conditions Plan (as overlay to Guilfoyle’s 1880 Plan, Fig 2)



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Fig 2 William Guilfoyle’s plan for the Horsham Botanical Gardens (1880), inscribed ‘Designed by W R Guilfoyle, Drawn by Robert P Whitworth, 1880’.



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4. The Plant Collections It is noteworthy that no ‘pinetum’1 was planned for the Horsham Botanic Gardens. Conifers were popularised by Mueller, Guilfoyle’s predecessor at the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, and featured in mid-nineteenth century gardens. In the Melbourne, Warrnambool and Geelong Botanic Gardens, a pinetum provided shelter on the south-western side. However, the space required for their development and the varied soil and climatic requirements for the mixed conifer species were gradually realised over time. The pinetum did not fit comfortably with Guilfoyle’s ‘picturesque’ aesthetic, and at Horsham there was already a natural shelter belt in the Black Box woodland. ‘Mr G. advises that all well shaped Gumtrees, gnarled or otherwise (large ones in preference) should be preserved on the lawns or in the collection of Australian trees, and that these trees be clothed with ivy2. They would, as well as being picturesque, serve for having seats placed round some of them.’ (Note 2, Plan for the Horsham Botanical Gardens by William Guilfoyle, 1880). At Horsham Botanic Gardens, Araucaria bidwillii (at the main entrance), Cupressus macnabiana ‘Connebaris’, Cupressus macrocarpa ‘aurea’, Cedrus atlantica f. glauca, and Pinus halepensis, are the only coniferous tree specimens. Apart from the Golden Monterey Cypress, these trees have long life expectancies in the gardens. The Tree Collection Apart from remnant indigenous woodland in the south-western section of the gardens, the trees in the north-eastern corner, near the main entrance, represent the oldest plantings, possibly dating from 1880. These have been the subject of arboricultural assessments completed for this master plan (Appendix 2). The 17 trees on the ‘English Lawn’ (Nos 29 – 45, shown numbered on ‘key plan’, with Appendix 2) are represented by multiple specimens of Quercus robur (English Oak), Ulmus procera (English Elm) and Ulmus x hollandica (Dutch Elm). These trees appear to have been planted as a double row along the boundary, and may have extended further, north or south. Additional specimens are associated with the main path, where their spacings have been more conducive to full development. Two Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Palms) are later plantings beside the main path. Tree planting in the triangular section to the west of the English Lawn appears to have been an extension of this, with several English Elms extant. This ‘exotic’ character may have extended to the northern boundary, where one Elm (No 15) is extant beside the path, but no boundary planting survives. The Liquidambars and etc date from a later planting era, and represent a more domestic scale. These areas of ‘exotic’ character are appreciated by the community for their summer shade, and have been wrongly regarded over the years as the botanic garden, which in fact extends to the river.

1 A ‘pinetum’ is a collection of conifers, see ‘The Oxford Companion to Australian Gardens’, p474 2 Note that whilst ‘ivy’ expresses ‘picturesque’ design intent, it does not of course concur with modern ecological practices



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Outstanding Specimen Trees Several trees stand out as specimen trees in the gardens. Their position, size, form or flowering qualities mark them as ‘signature’ trees, which are often singled out as especially valued by the community. Tree No 1, Araucaria bidwillii (Bunya Bunya Pine) at the main entrance, is an Australian tree naturally occurring in north Queensland. The species was widely favoured in nineteenth century gardens. It has a long life expectancy in excessive of 50 years and requires only minor (sensitive) arboricultural work, (see Appendix 2). Tree No. 50 Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) is also an Australian rainforest tree. Although still relatively young, it provides a spectacular display when flowering in summer, and signals a possible future entrance point (dependent on resolution of the display bed, in conjunction with a business plan for the future of the curator’s residence). It has a life expectancy in excess of 50 years and requires minor arboricultural work. Tree No 12 Corymbia citriodora (Lemon scented Gum) is an unusual form of this species, native to Queensland. It is probably an Ernest Lord planting. This is not a suitable place for a new entrance however, due to potential hazards associated with the tree. It probably has about a 30-year life-expectancy, and a new specimen should be planted now, in another position, to eventually succeed this tree (see master plan for new position on lawn to west of rose garden). Tree No 14 Eucalyptus cladocalyx (Sugar Gum), a species introduced from South Australia, is easily recognised in early photos, at a path junction. It is a landmark feature which assists orientation, both in photographs and on the ground. Sadly, it has been assessed as having less than 5-years life expectancy, due to bad management practices in the past, which have rendered epicormal growth as hazardous. Scarred trees Considerable evidence remains of the former Aboriginal occupation of the area, in scarred Black Box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) trees. One such tree3 which was recently removed from the former Horsham Saleyards (with the approval of the local Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative) was later dated as 1644 – 1784 A D, predating European penetration into north-west Victoria by at least 52 years. The scar was assessed as consistent with the removal of a large rectangular slab of bark for shelter construction. Termite activity was noted. A small number of scarred indigenous trees have survived within the botanic gardens reserve. They are protected by State and Federal Legislation, but are not actively managed to assist their survival. As living cultural heritage, belonging to all Australians, it is vital that an audit is undertaken to map and register the surviving trees and a management strategy is completed. The remnant woodland was once actively managed by its traditional owners, by mosaic burning, and periodically flooded from the Wimmera River. Expert advice on this issue should be sought in the first instance from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (AAV) and DSE. This may be the only remaining aboriginal cultural heritage in the reserve, as it is likely that any lithic scatters or freshwater middens would have been lost during river widening activities. 3 The report to Council names the tree as ‘Black Box, Eucalyptus microcarpa’, but note the inconsistency, as ‘Black Box’ is Eucalyptus largiflorens; while Eucalyptus microcarpa is ‘Grey Box’



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‘Millar Avenue’ Twenty six Sugar Gums (Eucalyptus cladocalyx) remain as a remnant of the former Millar Avenue. The trees have been extensively lopped and assessed for this master plan as poor in health, with less than 5 years useful life expectancy. Some are considered dangerous. (See Tree Report Appendix 2.). Millar Avenue was planted at some time between 1892 and 1907, with funds or trees provided by former mayor James Millar, for the purpose (see Development History of the Horsham Botanic Gardens Appendix 1). It extended ‘from the botanic gardens gate to the old weir’4, cutting across Guilfoyle’s intended long view across lawns, in a major departure from his plan. It was not planted by Ernest Lord (curator 1935-1946) as is sometimes concluded from its inclusion on his ‘Revised Layout’ plan. Replacement of the avenue planting is not recommended. Table 1 Summary: Tree Species Listed in the Tree Report (Appendix 2) & Nos. of Specimens Assessed Acmena smithii Lilly Pilly (1) Araucaria bidwillii Bunya Bunya Pine (1) Betula pendula Birch (1) Brachychiton acerifolius Illawarra Flame Tree (1) Calodendrum capense Cape Chestnut (1) Cedrus atlantica f glauca Atlas Cedar (1) Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Laurel (1) Corymbia calophylla (1) Corymbia citriodora Lemon Scented Gum (1) Cupressus macnabiana ‘Connebaris’ (1) Cupressus macrocarpa ‘aurea’ Golden Monterey Cypress (1) Eucalyptus cladocalyx Sugar Gum (1) &

(26) as avenue Fraxinus augustifolia var oxycarpa Desert Ash (1) Fraxinus excelsior ‘aurea’ Golden Ash (1) Gleditzia tricanthos Chinese Honey Locust (1) Grevillea robusta Silky Oak (1) Liqidambar styraciflua Liquidambar (4) Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip Tree (1) Melaleuca styphelioides Prickly Paper Bark (1) Phoenix canariensis Canary Island Date Palm (6) Pinus halepensis Aleppo Pine (1) Quercus robur English Oak (7) Salix reichardtii ‘Kilmarnock’ (1) Ulmus glabra ‘Lutescens’ Golden Elm (1) Ulmus x hollandica Dutch Elm (2) Ulmus procera English Elm (10) Waterhousia floribunda Weeping Lilly Pilly (1)

4 A Story of Horsham p 101



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5. Guiding Principles & General Recommendations Strengthen the Botanic Role

• Strengthen the botanic role eg. plant collections, labelling, botanic gardens’ network, Friends Group, guided tours

• Develop plant ‘collections’ to expand the botanic role (note OPCA – Ornamental Plant Collections Association)

• Develop the gardens to feature 3 distinctive landscape characters: exotic (19th century ‘imported’ plants) native (‘Australian’ plants) indigenous (the ‘original’ vegetation including woodland and

riparian/wetland), which require different management strategies for the different ‘types’

Limit Non-Botanic Roles

• Do not allow further expansion of tennis courts, croquet lawns, play ‘equipment’, car parking or caravan park within the botanic gardens reserve.

• Plan for the long-term relocation of tennis and/or croquet facilities (in the context of the city’s strategic plan for sporting facilities).

• Consider the long-term relocation of the caravan park. Re-establish Boundaries

• Mark the extent of the botanic reserve by paving Baker Street for its extent within the gardens in a contrasting road pavement material (eg. granitic gravel).

• Consider speed reduction devices at both ends. • Install entry posts at both ends, and. • Consider a possible road name change (eg. Botanic Drive) to emphasise the

expanse of the gardens beyond areas currently fenced. • Re-fence the gardens (replace some fences with low barriers). • Provide new entry points.

Develop Path Systems

• Develop a path system in recognition of ‘walking’ as an increasingly popular group fitness activity. Paths in the gardens are wide, but opportunities to complete ‘circuits’ and to link with the river are cut off.

• (Re-establish a path link to the river; provide extended walks and path circuits; link to the new ‘City Gardens’ housing development).

• Resurface the main path to replace the dusty grey surface material with a cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing soft surface eg. stabilised local granitic material.

Exclude Vehicles

• Minimise the impact of vehicles and access roads, by limiting vehicle access/parking to boundaries.

• Redesign car parks to maximise vehicle storage (total 150 car parks).



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Tourism & Support Services

• Further implement key aspects of the 1880 Guilfoyle Plan: (path circuits, botanic collections, river access, lake/wetlands development).

• Explore the future development of the curator’s cottage as a ‘tea room’/coffee shop, expanding into a north-facing courtyard. This proposal requires economic analysis and a business plan.

• Provide new toilets on eastern boundary, linked to main path, car park, playground and picnic ground.

• Develop strategic partnerships for tourism and economic development (eg. regional tours).

• Use ‘landmark’ trees to link tourism initiatives. • Establish a Friends Group to ‘champion’ the renewal process. • Strategically position horticultural display beds (annuals, dahlias).

Development of the Master Plan Note that some of these general recommendations are considered as high priority: P1 (0-5 years)

• Complete the survey plan for the botanic gardens reserve, including caravan park and river frontage. (Include contour lines, reserve boundaries) P1

• Ensure all trees to be removed are recorded on the survey plan P1 • Distribute the master plan widely to all stakeholders, participating community,

libraries and council departments P1 • Adopt the master plan through Council process P1 • Review the master plan periodically (every 5-10 years).



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6. Precinct Recommendations

Dominant land-uses and themes are grouped and defined on the master plan, as twelve distinct precincts, with recommendations for each Precinct recommendations considered as high priority are shown as P1 (0-5 years)

• Proceed with design development on a precinct basis, as described below P1

A Exotic Tree Collection (mature) Precinct • Plan and implement short and long-term arboricultural works as

recommended in The Tree Plan Appendix 2. (Note that each tree must be considered in its group context, as well as individually. Plan for an average 30-year longevity, by which time these trees will be approximately 155 years old) P1

• Place name plaques with trees (essentially 3 varieties) P1 • Design succulent feature bed in entrance rockery

B Exotic Tree Collection (new planting) Precinct

• Plan and implement new tree planting to eventually take over the role of senescing trees on the eastern boundary P1

• Extend the shrub bed and linear annuals border P1 • Remove section of secondary path P1 • Place name plaques with trees P1

C Exotic Shrub Collections & Water Feature Precinct

• Plan and implement exotic shrub collection themes, in response to microclimates created by the mature trees P1

• Restore/reconstruct the water feature (fountain) facing the main entry P1 • Place name plaques with plants P1

D Play and Picnic Precinct

• Extend the play and picnic area into adjacent areas vacated by removed functions. Note the importance of play ‘space’ which remains uncluttered by play ‘equipment’

• Relocate the existing toilets to the gardens’ eastern boundary • Relocate the existing car park to the eastern boundary • Restore the Australia map rockery and pool feature. (This and is the main

surviving feature of Ernest Lord’s curatorship) • Plan a collection of small native trees suitable for the ‘home garden’. Identify

species with name plaques • Consider the placement, design and construction of a rest house/shelter

E Curator’s Cottage & Services Precinct

• Redevelop the curator’s cottage as a public facility eg. Gardens Centre or Tea Room (requires business plan P1)

• Link with courtyard display, toilets, car park, main path, play and picnic precinct

• Relocate the Council depot to allow extension of main path to the river and location of toilets and car park. Relocate depot either on-site or off-site, depending on the depot area needed P1



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F Feature Rose Beds Precinct • Remove the outer ring of rose beds to improve the scale of the feature in its

lawn setting and intensify its ‘jewel-like’ quality P1 • Plant feature tree (Lemon-scented Gum) on resulting enlarged lawn space to

west of rose beds (as long-term replacement for similar tree on northern boundary) P1

• Extend indigenous hedge (Acacia sp.) as background and spatial boundary P1

• Redesign the central rest house/shelter and integrate with the rose beds • Open an informal pedestrian link to the west of the croquet greens by fence

removal P1 • Rationalise/reduce/intensify the impact of annual beds P1 • Maintain name plaques with roses P1

G Native Plants Collection Precinct

This is a small, but highly-structured section of the gardens, with no room to expand

• Concentrate efforts on naming existing plants and experimenting with improved design aspects (plant associations for colour, texture, form, season - compatibility and contrasting effects)

• Document the results H Indigenous Plants (wetland & woodland) Precinct

• Develop the indigenous woodland plant species diversity. This may require strategies such as fencing sections against trampling and experimental burning. Involve Department of Sustainability & Environment and Aboriginal community P1

• Commission a study to identify, register, protect and actively manage remnant scarred trees P1

• Develop the floodway (ponds) as a major wetland with indigenous riparian plant collections

• Provide an additional path link into the gardens P1 • Consider removal of access to the ‘island’ for improved (bird) habitat

I Lawn Tennis & Croquet Precinct

• Do not allow further expansion of the tennis courts or croquet lawns within the botanic gardens reserve

• Ensure that each facility has a business plan P1 • Consider the long-term relocation of tennis and/or croquet facilities (in the

context of the city’s strategic plan for sporting facilities) P1 • Relocate the access road off Baker Street further south for better drivers’

sight lines (in conjunction with car parking) P1 • Redesign 2 car parks to maximise vehicle storage (note no concrete kerb and

channel) P1 • Close access road to north of tennis courts



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J Caravan Park Precinct • Do not allow further expansion of the caravan park within the botanic gardens

reserve • Monitor the health of the remnant Black Box trees within the caravan park.

Their decline due to root compaction by vehicles, drought, flood barriers and termite attack is of major concern, both for the botanic garden and the amenity of the caravan park. Explore management strategies which may arrest the decline P1

• Consider the long-term relocation of the caravan park while land is still available P1

• Complete the main path link from the gardens to the river in surfacing material chosen for the main path (note Guilfoyle’s path alignment is compromised by existing layouts in this precinct)

K Camping Ground (extension to caravan park) Precinct

• Consider removal of the camping area and levee bank for improved health of the remnant Black Box woodland P1

L River Precinct

• Provide physical and visual access to the river from the botanic gardens • Link main path to river trail



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7. Costing

COSTING OF HIGH PRIORITY RECOMMENDATIONS- P1 (0-5 years) High

Priority Cost Estimate

General Recommendations $ Complete the survey plan for the botanic gardens reserve, including caravan park and river frontage. (Include contour lines, reserve boundaries)

P1 2,500

Ensure all trees to be removed are recorded on the survey plan

P1 as above

Distribute the master plan widely to all stakeholders, participating community, libraries and council departments

P1 N/A

Adopt the master plan through Council process P1 N/A Review the master plan periodically (every 5-10 years) Precinct Recommendations (A – L) $ Proceed with design development on a precinct basis, as described below

P1 5,000 per precinct

A Exotic Tree Collection (mature) Precinct Plan short and long-term arboricultural works as recommended in The Tree Plan Appendix 2. (Note that each tree must be considered in its group context, as well as individually. Plan for an average 30-year longevity, by which time these trees will be approximately 155 years old)

P1 2,500

Implement arboricultural works as per action plan P1 7,500 Place name plaques with trees (essentially 3 varieties) P1 300 Design succulent feature bed in entrance rockery B Exotic Tree Collection (new planting)

Precinct

Plan new tree planting to eventually take over the role of senescing trees on the eastern boundary

P1 1,500

Implement new tree planting as per plan P1 3,000 Extend the shrub bed and linear annuals border P1 1,000 Remove section of secondary path P1 500 Place name plaques with trees P1 1,000 C Exotic Shrub Collections & Water Feature

Precinct

Plan exotic shrub collection themes, in response to microclimates created by the mature trees

P1 2,500

Implement exotic shrub collection themes plan P1 10,000 Restore/reconstruct the water feature (fountain) facing the main entry

P1 15,000

Place name plaques with plants P1 1,000



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D Play and Picnic Precinct Extend the play and picnic area into adjacent areas vacated by removed functions. Note the importance of play ‘space’ which remains uncluttered by play ‘equipment’

Relocate the existing toilets to the gardens’ eastern boundary5

Relocate the existing car park to the eastern boundary Restore the Australia map rockery and pool feature. (This and is the main surviving feature of Ernest Lord’s curatorship)

Plan a collection of small native trees suitable for the ‘home garden’. Identify species with name plaques

Consider the placement, design and construction of a rest house/shelter

E Curator’s Cottage & Services Precinct Redevelop the curator’s cottage as a public facility eg. Gardens Centre or Tea Room (requires business plan)

Undertake business plan for future uses curator’s cottage

P1 10,000

Link with courtyard display, toilets, car park, main path, play and picnic precinct

Relocate the Council depot to allow extension of main path to the river and location of toilets and car park. Relocate depot either on-site or off-site, depending on the depot area needed

P1 5,000 (feasibility study)

F Feature Rose Beds Precinct Remove the outer ring of rose beds to improve the scale of the feature in its lawn setting and intensify its ‘jewel-like’ quality

P1 N/A

Plant feature tree (Lemon-scented Gum) on resulting enlarged lawn space to west of rose beds (as long-term replacement for similar tree on northern boundary)

P1 250

Extend indigenous hedge (Acacia sp.) as background and spatial boundary

P1 250

Redesign the central rest house/shelter and integrate with the rose beds

Open an informal pedestrian link to the west of the croquet greens by fence removal

P1 N/A

Rationalise/reduce/intensify the impact of annual beds P1 N/A Maintain name plaques with roses P1 N/A

5 Note that of all recommendations, only this one drew more disagreement than agreement from the community. It is proposed in conjunction with other recommendations for a relocated car park and curator’s cottage development, etc, and not as an unrelated action



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G Native Plants Collection Precinct This is a small, but highly-structured section of the gardens, with no room to expand

Concentrate efforts on naming existing plants and experimenting with improved design aspects (plant associations for colour, texture, form, season - compatibility and contrasting effects)

Document the results H Indigenous Plants (wetland & woodland)

Precinct

Develop the indigenous woodland plant species diversity. This may require strategies such as fencing sections against trampling and experimental burning. Involve Department of Sustainability & Environment and Aboriginal community

P1 2,500 (action plan)

Commission a study to identify, register, protect and actively manage remnant scarred trees

P1 5,000

Develop the floodway (ponds) as a major wetland with indigenous riparian plant collections

Provide an additional path link into the gardens P1 5,000 Consider removal of access to the ‘island’ for improved (bird) habitat

I Lawn Tennis & Croquet Precinct Do not allow further expansion of the tennis courts or croquet lawns within the botanic gardens reserve

Ensure that each facility has a business plan P1 N/A Consider the long-term relocation of tennis and/or croquet facilities (in the context of the city’s strategic plan for sporting facilities)

P1 N/A

Relocate the access road off Baker Street further south for better drivers’ sight lines (in conjunction with car parking)

P1 5,000

Redesign 2 car parks to maximise vehicle storage (note no concrete kerb and channel)

P1 2,500 (design)

Close access road to north of tennis courts J Caravan Park Precinct Do not allow further expansion of the caravan park within the botanic gardens reserve

Monitor the health of the remnant Black Box trees within the caravan park. Their decline due to root compaction by vehicles, drought, flood barriers and termite attack is of major concern, both for the botanic garden and the amenity of the caravan park. Explore management strategies which may arrest the decline

P1 5,000

Consider the long-term relocation of the caravan park while land is still available

P1 N/A

Complete the main path link from the gardens to the river in surfacing material chosen for the main path (note Guilfoyle’s path alignment is compromised by existing layouts in this precinct)



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K Camping Ground (extension to caravan

park) Precinct

Consider removal of the camping area and levee bank for improved health of the remnant Black Box woodland

P1 (see action plan precinct H)

L River Precinct Provide physical and visual access to the river from the botanic gardens

Link main path to river trail



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8. Design Guidelines As previously noted, each precinct requires detailed design before implementation of new proposals. In some cases, implementation is dependent on relocation of existing facilities, such as the proposed (relocated) car park and toilets at the existing depot site (linking to main path, redeveloped curator’s cottage, picnic and play grounds). In this regard, design guidelines may be premature, but some ideas are included here to extend the ‘vision’. Curator’s Cottage The proposed redevelopment of the curator’s cottage for public purposes (garden centre or tea house) is dependent on further investigation and a business plan. It has been suggested that a tea house would be better located overlooking the river. Its success would depend on the health of the river, however, which at present cannot be guaranteed. The current proposal is presented as a ‘package’, linked to adjacent redevelopments, (with the potential for visibility and direction from the tourist information centre). It is intended to create its own attraction by virtue of its botanic setting.

Fig 3 Refreshment facility in Luxumberg Gardens, Paris, France



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Playground Children’s play depends on settings which allow them to use their imaginations. Play is not dependent on the provision of play equipment. Space - to run (jump, hop and walk on one’s hands) is an important consideration. Changes in surface levels (such as the mounding in Horsham Botanic Gardens), or changing surface textures, as shown below, provide inspiration for children’s play.

Fig 4 ‘Play’ in Jardin Atlantique, Paris, France



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Boundary Fences A consistent use of materials for various fence types is essential. This 1650mm high, unpainted, timber-picket fence, with galvanised iron strapping, is understated and elegant. It provides security, while filtering winds. It is easily maintained and suited to use with exotic, native or indigenous landscape types. Compare this fence with Fig 3, Appendix 1, the earliest known photograph of entrance treatment at the Horsham Botanic Gardens (1920). This is one simple solution, but there are others which could be considered. The use of local stone as a cut-stone base is a possible (but expensive) option.

Fig 5 Timber picket fence with galvanised strapping, around Melbourne Grammar School



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Rest House/Shelter Two summer houses shown on Guilfoyle’s Horsham Botanic Gardens Plan of 1880, (Fig 6) are similar to his detail for the Hamilton Botanic Garden (Fig 7) and his built summer house at Melbourne Botanic Gardens (Fig 8). They are clearly ‘picturesque’ in design intent and whilst probably never constructed at Horsham, could provide inspiration for future shelters. Note the planting context in Fig 8 which contributes to the overall effect.

Fig 6 ‘The summer houses and rustic bridge shown on the plan might be made of crooked limbs of trees cut down, and preserved for the purpose’ (Note 3, Plan for the Horsham Botanical Gardens by William Guilfoyle, 1880)

Fig 7 The ‘rustic summer house’ as detailed on William Guilfoyle’s 1881 plan for the Hamilton Botanic Garden. (Images from Journal of the Australian Garden History Society ‘Australian Garden History’ Vol 7 No 5 March/April 1996; p16, a photograph of the original plan held by the Horsham Historical Society).



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Fig 8 The rustic summer house as realised by Guilfoyle in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, late 19th century (demolished) expressed his ‘picturesque6’ intent.

6 Guilfoyle advocated ‘picturesque’ design intent in Note No 2 on his 1880 plan for the Horsham Botanic Gardens. For a better understanding of the complex term ‘picturesque’, see ‘Picturesque’ in ‘The Oxford Companion to Australian Gardens’, p.473



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9. References Reserves File RS 4161, Horsham Botanical Gardens, Recreation & Tourist Camping Reserve (Department of Sustainability & Environment, held at Horsham) Costermans, Leon, Native Trees and Shrubs of South-Eastern Australia, 1983 edition, Rigby Publishers Public Record Office Victoria: VA 3805 Horsham 1 (Road District 1862 – 1864) VA 2536 Wimmera (Shire 1864 – 1995)

series VPRS 9702 Outward Letter Books 1910 – 1928 series VPRS 11176 Draft Outward Letter Book 1874 – 1879 series VPRS 11175 Engineer’s Instructions 1884 – 1892

Brooke, Brian & Finch, Alan, A Story of Horsham, published City of Horsham, 1982; reprinted 2001, Horsham Historical Society Inc, Horsham Rural City Council & the Wimmera Mail-Times P/L Horsham Historical Society, Horsham in Focus 1849 – 1999, published 1999 The Oxford Companion to Australian Gardens, edited by Aitken, Richard & Looker, Michael, 2002, Oxford University Press, in association with the Australian Garden History Society ‘What is a Botanic Garden? ’Research Paper by Jill Orr-Young, unpublished The Origin and Date of a Scarred Tree (AAV 7324-00495), Horsham Saleyards, Horsham, Western Victoria, Nov 2002, by Andrew Long, John Banks & Andrew Thorn, A draft Report to Horsham Rural City Council and Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative Website - Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne: http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/

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