Local Consortium wins Mossman Botanic Garden Planning and Design Tender
Published Friday 2 October 2015
A decision on the Tender for the Mossman Botanic Garden (MBG) Master Plan and Business Development Plan for consultants to plan and design the stage two creation of the garden was made by the board this week.
Related:
- <link mossman-botanic-garden-stage-two-tenders.12906.0.html>Mossman Botanic Garden Stage Two Tenders
- <link mossman-botanic-garden-gains-momentum.12824.0.html>Mossman Botanic Garden Gains Momentum
The MBG Tender was finally awarded to LA3 Pty Ltd – Landscape Architects of Cairns who brought to the table a consortium of local expertise including The Botanical Ark (Whyanbeel Valley) and Asia Pacific Consultants - APC (Daintree). However the shortlisted submissions were from a range of companies in Brisbane and Cairns.
An evaluation process and criteria was followed by members of the Board Chair John Sullivan, Tonny Larson, John Anich, Tony Woodall, Frank Frikker and Roy Weavers in order to weigh and calibrate the submissions and presentations were given by two companies for the Master Planning component. Heather Carle abstained from the evaluation process.
Chair of the board John Sullivan said it was a fantastic outcome getting a professional team on board with innovative and scientific knowledge to interpret skills, in order to move forward. The Board advised that they saw this as a way to secure future funding for the development of Stage three Implementation.
“The local team selected has knowledge of the area intimately, as well as a wealth of international experience, which will help create a complete identity of who we are as a community involving the Council, the community, tourism as well as our indigenous community by asking how do we describe ourselves in the landscape,” said Mr Sullivan.
With this holistic approach, Mr Sullivan added “the landscape is a statement of who we are as Australians.”
The process now begins with the a Master Plan by LA3 providing the vision and overriding concepts including the preferred configuration of the garden elements and establishment of a pathway forward for the development of this unique and world class facility.
Moving forward, the MBG Board plans to be heavily involved in this important planning stage including stakeholder and community consultation. The MBG Business Development and Master Plan will be the tool to encourage further investment, donations and funding and will help establish the opportunities and priorities for funding.
“The Master Plan will give an idea of how much funds will be required for each element and we will work to raise funds and develop the gardens stage by stage,” said Mr Sullivan.
The consortium led by LA3, plans an immediate start and will work on the Master Plan and Business Development Plan for the next five to six months.
Joseph Corbin, Principal Landscape Architect from LA3 said there will be stakeholder consultation throughout this process adding that the design and planning of the proposed plant collection ultimately displayed, including its selection, procurement, management and the composition of a unique Wet Tropics Botanic Garden, was an important aspect of the Master Plan.
“We will be completed by May 2016 and the outcome of which will include a marketing strategy to be used to promote the Mossman Botanic Garden and for the further funding of the development as well as providing design direction to the different components,” said Mr Corbin.
The Board is looking forward to working with LA3 and the first task is to workshop together next week and map the process from engagement to completion of Stage Two next April.
By end of April the Master Plan and Business Development Plan will be completed and fund raising can start for Stage Three Implementation.