City of Coffs Harbour Council has signed an historic partnership agreement with the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden as part of a Plan of Management for the award-winning garden.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Council and the Friends of the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden Inc formalises a long-standing informal arrangement over the 22-hectare oasis on the edge of the Central Business District.
“This is a big day for Coffs Harbour as this document provides the bedrock for the garden to flourish even further. It’s already a major tourist attraction with more than 120,000 visitors every year,” Mayor, Nikki Williams said.
“The MoU confirms the City remains responsible for the day-to-day management of the garden and recognises the key role the Friends play through the thousands of volunteer hours they provide.”
At a special lakeside ceremony in the garden, the MoU was signed by City General Manager, Natalia Cowley and Friends President, Graham Tupper.
Bounded by Coffs Creek and the Coffs Harbour Historic Cemetery, the site was once known as Wilsons Park and had been used as a sanitary depot and garbage dump for Coffs Harbour.
In the early 1970s, a proposal was presented to Council to restore the site and use it for the purpose of a botanic garden.
In 1980, the individuals behind that vision formed the Friends of the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden Incorporated (Friends).
“This MoU spells out the long-term commitment to a successful relationship,” said Council Infrastructure Director, Andrew Beswick.
“This leafy, welcoming sanctuary has already come so far – and the potential is there for ongoing enhancement.”
Mr Tupper said the negotiations with Council had been a “good experience”.
“We have turned a big corner today,” he said.
“We want to eventually re-open the cafe. We have so many exciting things happening in the garden and when you put it all together it’s looking great.”
A new way to experience the garden was rolled out by the City of Coffs Harbour this year through the release of the Coffs Coast Explorer app.
The app gives users an interactive informative tour guide around the site, and includes an option for people to ‘capture’ native animals in the garden in a Pokemon Go-style format. Download it here.
