The proposal to build botanic gardens in Queanbeyan is welcome news! Located within close proximity to our South Jerrabomberra development, the gardens will not only link the Queanbeyan River with the rest of the city, but also provide a major tourist drawcard close to Canberra’s arboretum.
The gardens will connect the existing Queanbeyan River Walk with various, beautiful spots for locals to enjoy, while activating the space and acting as a tourist destination in the region.
With the vision of embellishing and activating the area from the existing Morisset Street low-level crossing, all the way to the railway corridor, that defines the NSW/ACT border, the new botanic gardens would present the perfect addition to the ongoing project.
According to Tim Geyer, Service Manager of Urban Landscapes at Queanbeyan, the gardens could incorporate an arboretum and a range of Indigenous, Japanese and northern Macedonian plants.
In the coming month, residents will have the opportunity to contribute to the look and feel of the project, after Mr Geyer presents the initial concepts and images to the Council.
The proposal aims to provide an area that becomes one continuous parkland between the low-level crossing and the railway. The gardens could become a series of new spaces that join existing ones, with an interactive and themed playground for kids, and a village green that could also be used for events and weddings.
While the proposal is in its infancy and landscape architects will be engaged to analyse the site to identify weeds for removal and native plants for protection, the idea of this botanic garden coming to life is most definitely an exciting one – and very much welcomed.
South Jerrabomberra will also be home to a beautiful town park and we support the development of new open spaces and tourist attractions within the region.
