Released 05/08/2016
Visitors to the National Arboretum have given the seal of approval, with survey results released today showing 92.8 per cent of visitors rated their visit as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’.
The National Arboretum was a ACT Labor initiative, built after bushfires devastated the area in 2003. The venue now plays various key roles in the Territory as an important conservation, education, tourism and community asset. I’m delighted Canberrans are proud of their arboretum and love what it has to offer.
The ACT Government is currently reviewing the strategic direction of the Arboretum, and we asked visitors and the general public what they thought about the site and its future. More than 2,600 people responded. The overwhelmingly positive findings providing great insight for the future of the site, which was described as a “beautiful, natural place to visit”.
People identified the views, Pod Playground, the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection, the trees and the walks as their favourite features.
A review looking at the planning and management of the Arboretum’s forests and land was also released today, with all 72 recommendations either agreed or agreed-in-principle by the ACT Government.
Establishment of the Arboretum’s forests began only eight years ago, but already the vast majority of the trees are performing well, with many exceeding expectations. The Arboretum has planted and nurtured what is now one of the largest Wollemi pine forests in the world. Given there are less than 100 of these critically endangered trees known to be growing in the wild, this is a significant achievement which has attracted the interest of other botanical institutions, including the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. A copy of the review and the Government Response is available at www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases