A decade-long ambition is nearing closer to becoming a reality, following the closure of public advertising of council's plans to create a central hub and visitor centre at Bendigo Botanic Gardens White Hills.
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Council's proposal said a central hub and visitor centre, with an estimated cost of $12 million, would create an important link between the main site of the gardens and the Garden for the Future, which opened in 2018.
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Forming the heart of the precinct, the central hub would create a new entrance to the garden, alongside a visitor centre, cafe, community and educational spaces, public amenities and natural wetlands set within high quality gardens with a Dja Dja Wurrung focus.
The new visitor centre and public amenities will be open to the public during current operating hours, 7.30am to 9pm daily, while community and education spaces could be booked through council by businesses or the public.
Council intends for the cafe to be operated by an external lease, with operating hours subject to planning confirmation.
A proposed pedestrian bridge will create additional connectivity between the central hub and future development to the west of Bendigo Creek and subsequent stages of the Bendigo Botanic Gardens master plan.
The vision for the precinct was adopted by council in 2010, following release of an extensive master plan.
The restoration of heritage gardens, a central hub and visitor centre, the Garden for the Future, an arboretum and wetland precinct and a regional level children's playspace and aquatic facility are part of the master plan.
A continual work in progress, council received $3.75 million in funding for the central hub in May.
City of Greater Bendigo coordinator for public space design Aaron Lindsay said in May that the investment would allow the project to be started earlier than planned.
GHD Woodhead Architecture were contracted for design services of the hub, which is planned to open by June 2024.
Following the closure of public advertising, a decision on the planning application will be made.
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