Officially opened in May 2003, Mackay’s 33 hectares of Botanic Gardens is definitely a long term project. The idea for such a facility was first flagged in 1878 when the Department of Primary Industries established an experimental planting plot for tropical fruits and sugar cane.
Planting commenced in the area previously known as the Lagoon Reserve in 1994, but it was in 2001, with the creation of the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens Master Plan, that things really got moving.
Assisted by a State Government grant of $1.3 million, Stage 1, totalling $3.6 million, included the construction of the Tropical Shade Garden, Visitors Centre and Lagoons Gallery. Over the next 17 years, a further $10 million will be spent developing additional stages. This will include bio regional bush style plantings that will showcase the botanical diversity of the Mackay area.
Located on the Bruce Highway, just three kilometres from the City centre, the Gardens are a huge drawcard for visitors and locals alike. In the shape of a boomerang bordering the picturesque Lagoons, the Garden’s meandering pathways take visitors past a variety of plant communities from the region.
“We aim to show people how native plants can create beautiful landscapes in the home or commercial gardens,” said Curator, Helen Paulsen.
With four full time staff and five trainees, the facility is also supported by a very active Friends of the Gardens group who conduct guided tours and help run the visitors centre.
The Master Plan is designed around five major precincts based on colours. They include Balmoral (yellow); Cremorne (purple); Kaliguil (scarlet); Summerlands (pumpkin); and Rawsons Hollow (lime green). With 10 stages in the Master Plan, Stage 2 has recently commenced and will be completed by June 2006. This work will include a tropical vine arbor, orchard, palm grove, fig grove and demonstration gardens of poisonous native and exotic plants featuring lighting and irrigation.
To complement the café, shop and visitors centre, future plans include a nursery, herbarium, multi media centre, conference facilities and large display areas. When complete the Botanic Gardens will be 48 hectares, a size that will rival Brisbane’s Mt Coot -tha Botanic Gardens.
