Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Domain
Conservation Management Plan
Conservation Management Plan
Royal Botanic Garden and Domain Trust
Sydney
Gadigal Country
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and the Domain are celebrated for their exceptional heritage significance. Their rich history extends from deep time, embodying enduring First Nations connections, to the present day, showcasing layers of cultural, built and natural heritage.
GML was part of the winning team, led by Cox Richardson Architects & Planners, for the first-ever Master Plan for the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney (RBGS) and the Domain. As part of this project, GML prepared a new, integrated Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for these two highly significant landscapes. The CMP provides comprehensive management policies to protect built heritage, Aboriginal and historical archaeology, and cultural landscape elements within the RBGS and the Domain.
Working closely with the project team, GML ensured that the Master Plan was informed by the outstanding heritage values of the RBGS and the Domain, while also identifying opportunities to enhance, conserve, and celebrate these values.
In 2021, the RBGS was included in the Governors’ Domain and Civic Precinct, which was inscribed on Australia’s National Heritage List. However, the site and its heritage attributes have faced considerable changes in recent years, including threats to the integrity of the RBGS from nearby development and infrastructure proposals.
Cadi Jam Ora: First Encounters garden in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
The Calyx in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
In 2022, GML was re-commissioned to update the CMP to provide essential guidance for the future management of the gardens in light of these challenges. The final report addresses critical risks to the RBGS’s heritage attributes and values, including those arising from climate change, as well as natural and human-induced hazards. It includes detailed policies to guide mitigation measures and minimise impacts on the gardens.
As part of the project, GML also undertook a comprehensive update of the RBGS’s history, spanning deep time to the present. This work ensures the updated CMP meaningfully incorporates and reflects First Nations cultural values and enduring connections to the RBGS and the Domain landscapes.
bara by Aboriginal artist Judy Watson in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
