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STATEMENT RE BDCA POSITION ON FUTURE WORKS AT THE GONG, 21 January 2025

secretarybdca

Updated: Jan 23

Buninyong & District Community Association Inc (BDCA) has never taken an active role in determining the future of the Buninyong Botanic Gardens, including the Gong, The BDCA has always regarded the Friends of the Botanic Gardens group as the appropriate advocacy group for the Gardens, with BDCA being observer rather than participant in proceedings.

 

In June 2023, following a request from the Friends of the Gardens, BDCA wrote to the Mayor and Councillors asking for further consideration and consultation before approving the Gardens Masterplan.

 

Council subsequently adopted the Gardens Masterplan on June 30, 2023.  

 

 

In November 2024, Friends of the Gardens requested BDCA support for their request to Heritage Victoria to ask Council to consider alternative proposals to the Gardens Masterplan.  The BDCA members meeting agreed that BDCA would survey BDCA current members for their opinions, with the Committee to then decide on a response.

 

The BDCA Committee met on this issue and decided to reply to the Friends in a letter dated November 22, 2024.  The concluding statement in that letter reads:

 

“Accordingly, while it is clear that a large majority of BDCA members support consideration of your proposal, there are also concerns from members about it that prevent BDCA from giving its unequivocal support.  BDCA urges the Friends and Council to work together to find the best outcome for the community, taking into account the views as expressed above, and respecting the cultural heritage significance of the Gardens.”

 

As stated by the BDCA President in the Village Voice newsletter “while there are indications that there is significant support for the Friends of the Gardens call for more consideration before works commence, there is also significant community support for the Council Masterplan, and for works to commence”.

 

BDCA does not have the expertise to evaluate the merits of either the Council’s Masterplan or the alternatives put forward by the Friends of the Gardens.  Accordingly, our position is that the community is divided, with Council to reconsider the Masterplan imminently.


Sue Yorston

President

Buninyong & District Community Association

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