As the Master Plan and Business Development Planning stages are now underway, The Mossman Botanic Garden Inc (MBG) are now seeking input from local and indigenous communities in the form of written submissions.

The committee reports that a successful Botanical Garden requires collaboration with the general community stating that the plan and design will define the framework and future of the MBG.

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MBG is an incorporated not-for-profit organisation which aims to establish a world-class Botanic Garden, presenting and promoting Australia’s Wet Tropics and rainforest plants centred on a Wet Tropics Arboretum.

In conjunction with the Douglas Community, their aim is to establish a Botanical Garden that will be a regional centre of excellence. The garden will demonstrate how rainforests provide sustainable and commercial opportunities within a responsible framework.  While offering a unique opportunity to highlight the broad range of Wet Tropic’s rainforest plants and the critical need to conserve them, this will then demonstrate the environmental significance of rainforests.

MBG Chair John Sullivan said the most important aspect of the planning is that MBG is a community project and has a social roll in the community providing potential space for not only the Botanic Garden but also a space for art and performance and for active and passive play.

“We are a not for profit organisation and what we generate goes back into the garden, goes toward employing people and goes back to the Mossman community,” said Mr Sullivan.

“This is an opportunity to have a say and to also understand the process of the MBG and how we follow the rules of botanics by documenting where plants are from and their GPS locations, together with  propagating and planting and growing them.

“It is all about educating and acknowledging and protecting the contribution of knowledge,” he said.

MBG has a home in the heart of Mossman. The prime site has been purchased with funding from the Commonwealth Government. It is situated at the North end of the Mossman Township providing 20 hectares (50 acres) between Foxton Avenue (Captain Cook Hwy) and Goobidi Creek connecting to the Mossman River.

The intensive process of the MBG will culminate in March 2016 and will involve a master plan and business plan covering all aspects of the requirements for the Botanic Garden.

MBG has selected LA3 to be the master planning consultants and designers for this world class garden in the Australian Wet Tropics and they will participate in the stakeholder process.

MBG is inviting individuals, organisations, schools, communities, indigenous communities to share their ideas, comments or submissions.

“So far we have had a good response of submissions.  We will also be at Mossman Markets Saturday and Port Douglas Markets Sunday for the next two weeks to engage with the community.  You can also go to our website and tell us what you want.  Bascially, what we are asking for is the community's wish list,  what people see for the MBG what can we put in there,” said Mr Sullivan.

Submissions close 30th November and can be empaled to mbg.qld@gmail.com or send to postal address Mossman Botanic Gardens Inc.PO Box 1235, Mossman, QLD 4873 or online: Mossman Botanic Garden