The Albanese and Andrews Labor Governments officially opened Phillip Johnson's re-creation of the Chelsea Flower Show award winning 'Australian Garden' at Olinda Golf Course.
Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt visited the stunning sustainable garden which was made possible thanks to a $6 million investment from the Albanese and Andrews Governments and $340,000 raised by the People and Parks Foundation.
The new garden has been built from the ground up, transforming a section of the former Olinda Golf Course into a beautiful botanic garden, supporting biodiversity and habitat creation for native plants and wildlife.
At more than 20 times the size of the original Chelsea Flower Show build, the new garden features a cascading waterfall and billabong, winding paths into remarkable vistas and a 'Waratah sculpture' standing nine metres high.
The garden showcases sustainable design, including solar power and water-wise features, and includes the clever use of recycled materials. Over 15,000 plants from more than 400 native Australian species have been planted across several different microclimates, which are sure to provide garden enthusiasts with hours of exploration.
The original 'Australian Garden' exhibit, created by Designer Phillip Johnson, Horticulturalist Wes Fleming and the Trailfinders Team, was the first Australian entry to win Gold and Best in Show at the London Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show in 2013.
The project follows the Andrews Labor Government's $11 million investment to deliver the Olinda Precinct Plan, which has already seen the completion of a new sporting oval and nature-based playscape, and is set to deliver further upgraded visitor and sporting facilities.
To keep up to date with project progress and opening dates, and to find out more about the garden, visit parks.vic.gov.au/cagoproject.
As stated by Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt
"This garden has been highly anticipated among nature lovers near and far, we look forward to see visitors from across Victoria come to experience this amazing natural attraction."
"We are thrilled to be providing more opportunities for people to get into nature, and this garden will showcase Australia's captivating and diverse native flora."
As stated by Federal Minister for Regional Development Catherine King
"This incredible garden will showcase and protect over 400 types of native Australian plants, featuring many rare and endangered species."
"Providing Australians with green open spaces will inspire our communities to care for our country's unique landscapes."
As stated by Minister for Tourism, Sports and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
"The stunning Dandenong Ranges are a treasured year-round tourist destination and the new Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda will help attract more visitors to the area."
As stated by Member for Monbulk Daniela De Martino
"This superb native garden is an exemplar of the beauty of Australian flora and a jewel in the crown of the Dandenong Ranges. Locals and visitors alike will be able to enjoy this masterpiece for many years to come and I am thrilled that it is located here in the District of Monbulk."
