Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens Strategic Direction Report

The Better Cities Group were commissioned by City of Gold Coast to lead the development of a strategic direction report (SDR) to be supported and endorsed by Council, Stakeholders and the community to guide future management and priority directions for the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens (Gardens) over the next 15+ years. The Better Cities Group delivery team included open space expertise from The CityGreen Lab and planning appraisal by Development Directive. The SDR also considered the integration of the Biodiversity Centre designed by Guymer Bailey Architects.

The scope included the following:

• Targeted engagement on the future use of the botanic gardens.

• Utilisation, and management of existing infrastructure at the botanic gardens.

• Priority for proposed infrastructure at the botanic gardens.

• Top-level impact assessment on surrounding residential dwellings.

• Marketing and communication assistance through the stakeholder engagement phase of the project and the strategy development i.e. physical document; and

• Investigation of available management models to ensure a sustainable future for the Gardens and appropriate return on investment and governance.

• Current best practice associated with Botanic Gardens management.

City of Gold Coast Council endorsed the adoption of the SDR on 16 August 2022.