Sustainability and Maintenance – Armidale Botanic Garden

Future Sustainability and Maintenance Funding

Strategic Approach to Ongoing Funding

The Armidale Botanic Garden Committee (ABG) is acutely aware of the financial pressures currently facing local government, including escalating Council rates, cost shifting from State Government to Local Government and heightened scrutiny of public expenditure.

In response, the ABG is firmly committed to minimising its ongoing reliance on direct financial contributions from Armidale Regional Council (ARC) for routine maintenance and operations.

It is envisaged that ARC will continue to provide core in-kind support, including lawn mowing, monitoring the health of established trees and water availability, and contributing soil and mulch as available. The potential allocation of Council-employed staff to support garden maintenance may be supplemented through external funding sources focused on training and employment outcomes.

Targeted grant programs aimed at workforce development and skills training will be actively pursued to assist Council in increasing the ABG maintenance workforce, including the potential engagement of three or more full time equivalent staff over time. Additional grants specifically focused on environmental sustainability and asset maintenance will also be sought.

Volunteers: A Core Sustainability Resource

Volunteers are recognised as a critical and enduring resource underpinning the success of botanic gardens worldwide. Their participation is therefore a central pillar of the ABG’s long-term sustainability strategy. A designated member of the ABG Committee will be responsible for volunteer coordination, recruitment, training and engagement. Evidence from comparable institutions indicates that botanic gardens consistently attract strong volunteer participation. This view is supported by sector experience, including advice from Richard Single (ARC) and Jerry Coleby Williams, former Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney and Mount Annan Botanic Garden.

Volunteer recruitment will be supported through targeted use of social media platforms to engage younger demographics and foster long-term community involvement. Volunteers will be sourced from a broad range of programs and groups, including:

Community services and work placement programs
Work for the Dole initiatives
Friends of the Armidale Botanic Garden members
Community organisations (e.g. Lions Clubs)
School, TAFE and University student work experience and volunteer programs
Community Donations and In-Kind Contributions

Community Donations and In-Kind Contributions

Experience to date indicates that while direct financial donations may be limited, community members are highly willing to contribute through donations of trees, shrubs, garden furniture, and memorial plantings. As a result, the majority of plants introduced to the Garden are expected to be donated by the public as the Garden grows and evolves.

This approach will significantly reduce establishment and replacement costs over time. As a registered charity, the Armidale Botanic Garden can offer full tax deductibility for eligible donations and bequests, further encouraging community generosity.

Revenue Streams Supporting Long-Term Sustainability

The ABG will pursue a diversified revenue model to support ongoing maintenance and development. While individual revenue streams may vary in scale, collectively they will provide resilience and long-term sustainability. Key revenue sources include:

Grants

Competitive grants focused on maintenance, sustainability, environmental outcomes, training and
employment
Funding opportunities ranging from small-scale grants to major capital and program grants
The ABG meets key eligibility criteria and policy objectives commonly required by funding bodies

Sponsorship and Advertising

Sponsorship of individual gardens by families and businesses, with responsibility for ongoing upkeep
National business advertising signage reflecting the high proportion of tourist visitation
Local business signage, consistent with models used at showgrounds and sporting fields
Sponsorship partnerships with national fertiliser, compost, and horticultural suppliers
Annual plant donations from national bulb suppliers (e.g. tulips), supported by recognition signage, following successful models such as the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and Floriade
Philanthropy

Visitor Contributions and Activities

Solar-powered electronic donation stations located throughout the Garden
Guided tours conducted by trained volunteers
Sound trails and interpretive experiences

ABG membership fees

Hire of designated garden spaces for weddings, funerals, events, community celebrations, exercise, and meditation classes
Permanent recognition features, such as donor walls or pathways acknowledging contributors

Environmental Centre: A Key Revenue and Education Asset
The establishment of an Environmental Centre is identified as a critical early-stage infrastructure priority. According to sector best practice, including guidance from Jerry Coleby Williams, such a facility is considered essential for a fully functioning botanic garden.

The Environmental Centre would serve as a central hub for environmental education, visitor services, and revenue
generation, incorporating:

A gift shop featuring locally produced merchandise and ABG-branded apparel
Administrative offices and booking facilities
A café with indoor and outdoor seating, leased to a commercial operator

Additional income streams associated with the Centre include:

Hire of a dedicated space for workshops, classes, educational programs, and community meetings
Commission-based plant sales hosted in partnership with the Armidale Tree Group, local growers, and specialist seasonal plant suppliers (e.g. bulbs, dahlias, peonies)

Sustainable Utilities

The ABG is committed to minimising operational costs and environmental impact through sustainable
infrastructure:

Water: Supplied via a combination of above- and below-ground rainwater tanks, stormwater capture, and
an existing natural spring
Electricity: The Environmental Centre will be powered by solar energy, reducing ongoing energy costs and
carbon footprint. This being the perfect opportunity to engage with Renewable Energy companies.

Conclusion

Through a combination of limited Council support, strong volunteer engagement, diversified revenue streams, community donations, and sustainable infrastructure, the Armidale Botanic Garden will establish a financially resilient model for long-term maintenance and operation. While individual income sources will vary in scale, together they form a robust and adaptable funding framework that supports the Garden’s ongoing sustainability and community value.