annual report 2011–2012 · 2019-02-26 · annual report 2011–12 5 the journey over the last 12...

The Royal Botanic Gardens& Domain Trust

AnnuAL RePORT 2011–2012

© The Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney 2012 Mrs Macquaries Road Sydney NSW 2000

The Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust is a statutory body within the Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet (NSW)

Design and production of this report by Cameron Emerson-Elliott

All photography by Simone Pieta Cottrell

Total cost for annual report: $7,050* * Design and production of this report were outsourced

ISSN 1035-0969

Cover Image: Gahnia sieberiana (seed)

1 Annual Report 2011–12

Letter to the Minister ...............................................2

Section 1 Performance Snapshot ...........................................4Chairman & Executive Director’s Report ....5Our Organisation ........................................................6

Section 2 Achievements ............................................................10

Section 3 Community Support ..............................................16Corporate Governance .......................................25Appendices .................................................................30

Section 4 Financial Statements .............................................50

Contents

The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Annual Report 2011–2012

2 THe ROYAL BOTAnIc GARdenS & dOMAIn TRuST

Dear Minister

I have pleasure in presenting the 2011–12 Annual Report of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust for presentation to Parliament.

This report covers in full the Trust’s activities and Statement of Accounts in accordance with the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Act 1980, the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984 and the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Regulations 2010.

Yours sincerely

Ken BoundyChairmanRoyal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust

Professor David MabberleyExecutive DirectorRoyal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust

THe HOn. ROBYn PARKeR, MPMInISTeR FOR THe envIROnMenTPARLIAMenT HOuSe, MAcQuARIe STReeTSYdneY nSW 2000

Letter to the Minister

Ken Boundy Professor David Mabberley

Section 1Performance Snapshot

Chairman & Executive Director’s Report Our Organisation

Chamelaucium uncinatum

Revenue 2011–12 $49.8 million

unITS 2011–12 2010–11 2009–10 2008–09 2007–08


Performance Snapshot

FInAncIAL1

State Government Recurrent Funding

$’000 – 19,914 19,090 18,105 17,781

State Government Capital Funding $’000 – 8,274 2,860 2,635 3,695

Crown Grants $’000 1,918 1,574 1,966 1,641 1,308

Department of Premier & Cabinet Grants2

$’000 29,643 – – – –

Other Grants, Donations & Contributions

$’000 3,212 7,651 2,529 3,861 2,573

Sales of Goods & Services3 $’000 12,536 11,680 11,258 7,312 7,289

Other Revenue4 $’000 2,535 2,678 2,706 6,035 5,116

Total Revenue $’000 49,844 51,771 40,409 39,589 37,762

Total expenses $’000 (45,434) (43,019) (41,641) (40,386) (38,577)

Surplus/(deficit) $’000 4,410 8,752 (1,232) (797) (815)

PLAnT BIOdIveRSITY & HABITATS undeRSTOOd, PROTecTed & ReSTORedGrant-funded research projects no. 16 21 19 18 27

Species described or reassessed no. 20 47 64 31 82

Peer-reviewed scientific publications, general articles & presentations

no. 162 122 152 189 178

THe cOMMunITY vALueS PLAnTS & cuLTuRAL HeRITAGeParticipants in school & public education programs

no. 75,151 80,711 75,964 65,786 69,507

Volunteers contributing to Trust programs

no. 572 627 697 694 611

Total visits to Trust website no. 598,941 562,188 582,620 858,878 862,629

Visitors to Trust estates satisfied with facilities, services & programs

% 92 97 94 94 91

IncReASed PARTIcIPATIOn & InTeGRATIOn In cOMMunITY AcTIvITIeSvisits to:

The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney no. 3,544,344 3,657,284 3,854,750 3,456,129 3,621,925

The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan

no. 325,251 116,168 84,509 88,777 100,410

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah

no. 128,645 75,044 70,031 69,772 69,990

People using the Domain for booked sports activities

no. 59,300 65,379 72,732 89,755 71,194

Attendees at public events:

The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney no. 433,482 378,618 419,717 514,004 425,020


no. 23,495 21,428 16,207 14,293 18,525


no. 65,498 46,295 24,384 15,850 12,856

Notes 1. Financial information and data included in this section has not been subject to audit 2. From 2012 recurrent and capital grants received from Department of Premiers and Cabinet 3. Sales of Goods and Services includes investment revenue 4. Other Revenue includes insurance recoveries, cost recovery and infringements

59% 25%

Department of Premier & Cabinet GrantsCrown Grants

Sales of Goods & Services

Other Revenue

Other Grants, Donations & Contributions

5% 5%6%


The journey over the last 12 months has been one of refl ection, retrospection and the realisation of a new vision for our organisation. In August last year, the Trust Board conducted a strategic review of the organisation. This work was consolidated and supported by the commissioning of six industry experts to further evaluate the Trust’s work during December’s International Peer Review.

The review process recognised and praised the Trust’s signifi cant scientifi c expertise and the enormous value of the various collections across our three sites. It also highlighted our strengths in disseminating information about plants, conservation and biodiversity to the public and other stakeholders. The International Peer Review provided more than 60 recommendations for us to consider, so that as an organisation we can build on these attributes and strengthen our position as one of the world’s leading botanic garden organisations.

For the past six months, a Strategic Planning Committee with membership from across the Trust has further analysed the recommendations from the two reviews to develop a new strategic direction and corporate plan for the Trust, which will guide us through the next 10 years. As the year ends and the next unfurls, this new strategic direction can be articulated in a new vision for our organisation:

The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, celebrated as one of the world’s greatest botanic garden organisations, internationally respected for its work in science, conservation and horticulture, safeguarding places of learning and pleasure for all.

In reaching this point, we have passed some marvellous milestones.

Both the NSW Premier and the Minister for the Environment were present for the opening of the new Narellan Road entrance to the Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan in September. This Government-funded $4.26 million project was completed on time and within budget, and was perfectly timed to deal with the signifi cant increase in visitor numbers since entrance fees to the Garden were abolished in April 2011.

Trust botanist, Nathalie Nagalingum, was the lead author of a signifi cant study published in Science in November that shows the evolutionary diversifi cation of the cycad group to be much more recent than previously thought. Living cycad species have commonly been referenced as ‘dinosaur plants’ because they were considered relicts of ancient fl oras. Dr Nagalingum’s study found that in contrast to the group’s ancient origins, the modern species actually evolved just 10 million years ago — well after the extinction of the dinosaurs. This work received extensive media coverage locally and internationally.

In January, a ground breaking ceremony was held at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan with the Minister for the Environment and VIP guests to celebrate the fi rst soil turning and beginning of construction of PlantBank. Despite rain delays, work continues to run on track and is scheduled to be completed early in the new year, heralding the start of new era in scientifi c research and conservation for the organisation.

The inaugural Lachlan Macquarie Medal was awarded in May to Professor Hong De-Yuan from Beijing, China in recognition of his outstanding achievement in helping protect plant biodiversity. The Medal will be awarded biennially to recipients whose work promotes the role of botanic gardens in conserving plants. The NSW Governor presented the medal to Professor Hong at a ceremony and public lecture at Government House in May.

After fi ve years of planning and a two-year delay, the disturbance process to relocate the fl ying-foxes that have roosted in the Royal Botanic Garden for over 20 years fi nally began in June. After less than a week of pre-dawn and dusk noise, the fl ying-foxes discontinued roosting in the Garden. While early morning noise will need to continue for some time to ensure roosting does not resume, this is defi nitely a big win for the Trust that makes way for much-needed tree maintenance and renovation of the Palm Grove.

On behalf of the Trust, we would like to thank all staff, volunteers, Foundation and Friends, benefactors and sponsors for your collective contribution to our organisation, particularly those Board and staff members who are retiring. It is through your knowledge, commitment and passion that we have achieved the successes that are highlighted within this year’s annual report, and that we will continue to connect people with plants and contribute to plant conservation in New South Wales and internationally.

As we embark on the next leg of our journey, a change in direction is paralleled by a change of leadership. We welcome Ken Boundy as the Trust’s new Chairman. Ken brings a wealth of experience in high-level management, marketing, tourism and conservation issues to the Trust that will certainly assist us in reaching our vision.

Greg MartinChairman, Royal Botanic Gardensand Domain Trust

Chairman & Executive Director’s Report

Professor David MabberleyExecutive Director, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust

Professor David MabberleyExecutive Director,

The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust (the Trust) is a statutory body established by the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Act 1980. The legislation defines the objectives, powers and functions of the Trust and vests certain land and property in the Trust.

The Trust is responsible for the management and stewardship of the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney; the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan; the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah; the National Herbarium of New South Wales and the New South Wales Seedbank.

The Trust also undertakes and provides scientific and horticultural research, together with advice and education on botany, horticulture and biodiversity.

Trust staff are employed by the Office of Environment and Heritage, a division of the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet. The Board of the Trust reports directly to the Minister for the Environment and has responsibility for all Trust assets and programs.

The Trust acknowledges the traditional custodians of Trust lands — the Cadigal, Darug and D’harawal — and recognises the strength, resilience and capacity of the Aboriginal people of these lands.

Objectives The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Act 1980 defines the Trust’s objectives as to:

• maintain and improve Trust lands, the National Herbarium of New South Wales and the collections of living and preserved plant life owned by the Trust

• increase and disseminate knowledge about the plant life of Australia, and of New South Wales in particular

• encourage the public use and enjoyment of Trust lands by promoting and increasing the educational, historical, cultural and recreational value of these lands.

When acting in pursuance of its Objects, the Trust is required to give particular emphasis to encouraging and advancing the study of systematic botany, and to plant conservation.

vision The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, celebrated as one of the world’s greatest botanic garden organisations, internationally respected for its work in science, conservation and horticulture, safeguarding places of learning and pleasure for all.

Mission As a living organisation, we connect people with plants through imaginative horticulture, beautiful landscapes, transformative learning experiences and cultural events.

As a leading contributor and custodian of botanical knowledge and collections throughout Australasia, we will share our discoveries and be at the forefront of international plant conservation.

delivering our vision

nSW 2021 NSW 2021: A plan to make NSW number one is the NSW Government’s 10-year plan that guides policy and budget decisions, so setting the direction for the NSW public sector.

As an agency within the Environment and Heritage portfolio, within the Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Trust contributes to two goals within NSW 2021 for which the Minister for the Environment and the Department of Premier and Cabinet have lead responsibility:

22 Protect our natural environment

23 Increase opportunities for people to look after their own neighbourhoods and environments

In addition, the Trust contributes to Goal 24: Make it easier for people to be involved in their communities, which has specific targets related to expanding opportunities within the Trust’s volunteer programs and increasing the number of volunteers that support the Trust’s work.

Global Strategy for Plant conservation The Trust is committed to contributing to the objectives and targets set in the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, which provides a framework for actions at global, regional, national and local levels to conserve plants and vegetation communities.

The Strategy has five key objectives:

• Plant diversity is well understood, documented and recognised

• Plant diversity is urgently and effectively conserved

• Plant diversity is used in a sustainable and equitable manner

• Education and awareness about plant diversity, its role in sustainable livelihoods and importance to all life on Earth is promoted

• The capacities and public engagement necessary to implement the strategy have been developed.

Our Organisation



in Australia, with a world-class collection of botanic, taxonomic and horticultural literature.

The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan showcases the enormous diversity of Australian flora. Covering over 400 hectares between Camden and Campbelltown in Sydney’s south-west, it is Australia’s largest botanic garden. Its horticultural displays contrast with natural areas of remnant Cumberland Plain Woodland, an endangered ecological community of the region. With its large size and undulating terrain, the Garden is a popular recreational destination for the local community.

The Trust’s horticultural research facilities are based at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan, including the NSW Seedbank that will be a key component of the Trust’s new research and conservation facility, PlantBank, when it is completed in early 2013.

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah is situated on a basalt-capped peak, 1000 metres above sea level in the World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains. It features 28 hectares of manicured gardens that display cool-climate plants from around the world and is home to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Exhibition Centre. The botanical collection sits adjacent to 10 hectares of pristine, warm temperate rainforest within a 33-hectare heritage property known as ‘The Jungle’. Separated by Bells Line of Road, the Garden also manages a conservation area of 189 hectares of wet and dry sclerophyll including heath, rainforest and some closed forest.

A summary of the Trust’s activities against these targets is provided in the Appendices.

Gardens The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney is the oldest botanic garden and scientific institution in Australia. Located on the eastern edge of the central business district, it is home to an outstanding collection of plants from around the world, with a focus on Australia and the South Pacific. The 30 hectares of Botanic Garden are surrounded by 34 hectares of urban parkland known as the Domain. Both the Garden and Domain are endowed with significant natural and cultural heritage values, and play a central role in Sydney’s festivals and cultural events, as well as the recreational and sporting pursuits of city workers and residents.

Within the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney is the National Herbarium of NSW, a major centre for Australian plant research. The Herbarium contains more than 1.2 million preserved plant specimens, including scientific and historically significant collections and samples collected by Banks and Solander during the voyage of the Endeavour in 1770. The collection provides important reference material for studies of plants, their relationships and classification. Research includes field studies, DNA sequencing and scanning electron microscopy. Ecological research involves mapping and describing plant communities and studying factors that affect their survival. Within the Herbarium is the Library of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust. It is premier botanical and horticultural library

MAP OF THE SYDNEY REGION

Section 2Achievements

Grevillea sp.


part in associated meetings and events. The congress recognised the significance of the updated Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, against which the Trust reports its achievements in conservation (see Appendices), and agreed to important resolutions including changes to the nomenclatural code that allows descriptions of new taxa to appear in English rather than Latin, and a formal binding decision that the name Acacia, is to be applied to the almost exclusively Australian genus of over 1500 species, and not to other groups of ‘acacias’.

The Rainforest Seed Conservation Program is contributing to ongoing international research into the seed biology of rainforest flora. Many of the seeds of species from wetter environments are not suited to the usual or ‘orthodox’ drying and freezing techniques used in seed banking. This program is screening rainforest species for orthodoxy and developing alternative ex situ conservation techniques for recalcitrant species.

The latest threat to Australian rainforest flora is the arrival and spread of the disease myrtle rust, now positively identified as being a strain of Puccinia psidii. Several rainforest species have been identified as being particularly susceptible, and will be prioritised in the conservation program, which aims to collect, assess and store 145 species of rainforest plants over the next three years.

In the plant pathology and mycology section, the Plant Disease Diagnostic Unit collaborated with Biosecurity Australia to better understand mango malformation disease, an exotic fungal disease caused by one or more species of Fusarium, which is a significant threat to the mango industry. Research activities also continued to document and describe other species of Fusarium, including foliar and soil-inhabiting varieties, as well as Phytophthora, which contributes to understanding the movement and distribution of these plant pathogens, hence informing disease management strategies.

Since its first detection in January 2010, drugstore beetle (Stegobium paniceum) continues to elude managers of the Herbarium, causing irreversible damage throughout the collection. An integrated pest management plan in place since this time has mitigated damage to some extent; however, the Trust has now prioritised the urgent renovation or relocation of the Herbarium to ensure long-term protection of this significant asset.

The January 2012 commencement of construction of PlantBank was another important milestone for

The science and conservation programs of the Trust are recognised and valued internationally, nationally and within the State for their contributions to understanding, managing and conserving plant biodiversity in New South Wales, Australia and across the region.

An International Peer Review of the Trust’s programs staged in December reinforced the importance of the Trust’s science activities in the discovery and description of new species, understanding the biogeography and distribution of plants, and researching the fungal diseases of native plants and crop species. The high global relevance of the Trust’s scientific collections held by the Herbarium and increasingly the seedbank was also noted by the Review panel.

The significance of the Trust’s research is exemplified by a study led by Research Scientist Dr Nathalie Nagalingum, published in Science in November 2011, which demonstrated conclusively that modern species of cycad did not co-exist with dinosaurs as is commonly believed. While there was huge diversity in the cycads during the Jurassic–Cretaceous period (200–65 million years ago), this new research using fossil-calibrated molecular phylogenies shows that the present diversity of cycad species evolved only around 12 million years ago. The findings attracted media coverage across the globe.

The Trust was awarded a number of significant grants during the year, including an Australian Research Council linkage grant, awarded to Trust scientists Dr Maurizio Rossetto and Dr Brett Summerell along with Dr Andy Lowe of the University of Adelaide, to explore biodiversity across an environmental gradient covering the area between NSW east coast and the Capertree Valley. Launched in July 2011, the study will also investigate resilience for climate adaptation. Dr Rossetto is also part of a team that includes researchers from James Cook University, the University of Adelaide and CSIRO, awarded a three-year grant by the National Environment Research Program to look at rainforest refugia and ‘hotspots’ of plant diversity in the Australian wet tropics and Cape York Peninsula.

Several science staff attended the 18th International Botanical Congress held in Melbourne in July 2011, many of whom gave excellent presentations and took

AchievementsUnderstanding, protecting and restoring plant biodiversity and habitats


the activities staged across the three Gardens. In 2011–12 some 20,000 students participated in curriculum-based educational programs run by the Trust, while over 25,000 were involved in other community education programs.

A highlight of the Trust activities to promote the importance of plants as well as the work of botanic gardens was the announcement of the inaugural Lachlan Macquarie Medal for individuals who have demonstrated excellence, recognised internationally, in any aspect of the business of modern botanic gardens. The award’s first recipient was Professor Hong De-Yuan of Beijing, China, who is acknowledged as a leader in Chinese botanical sciences with widely acclaimed achievements in systematics, morphology, cytology, ecology and molecular evolution. The award was presented in May 2012 by Her Excellency, Professor Marie Bashir, Governor of New South Wales at a reception at Government House, where Professor Hong spoke of the growth of botany in China. The medal will be awarded biennially by the Trust to an individual who has made significant contributions to conservation, plant or environmental science, horticulture, landscape management or public education involving plants.

Local government representatives joined the Trust to present an Urban Biodiversity Forum at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney in August 2011. The forum provided participants with an opportunity to discuss the genesis and implementation of a range of innovative and best-practice biodiversity management programs. The Trust’s partnership program with Housing NSW, GreenStreet, was highlighted as an example of improving the urban environment, a high-level goal within the State Government’s NSW 2021.

Volunteers celebrated 30 years of volunteer guiding in the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney in September 2011 with the planting of a commemorative fig tree and the launch of a book, A walk in the Garden: 30 years of volunteer guiding in the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. The guides were also instrumental to the Trust’s promotion of citizen science in November when the first ClimateWatch trail was launched at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. The ClimateWatch trail was developed by volunteer guides in collaboration with Earthwatch Australia. Visitors participating in the free walks learn how to record observations of plant and animal lifecycles and behaviours, a practice known as phenology that can be used by scientists to gauge adaptations and responses to climate change.

The 2012 Australian Year of the Farmer was launched by the Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin

the Trust’s science and conservation programs. The $19.8 million project will house the seedbank collection at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan, and will support associated horticultural and conservation research programs along with complementary education and public engagement activities. PlantBank is scheduled to be completed in March 2013.

Key Performance Indicators

2011–12 2010–11 2009–10 2008–09

Peer reviewed scientific publications, general articles and presentations

162 122 152 189

Citation rate (ratios):

Systematic Botany

1.9 1.2 2.0 1.8

Horticultural Research

1.0 1.0 0.9 1.1

Ecology 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.6

Population Genetics

5.8 5.8 5.9 5.2

Plant Pathology/Mycology

3.3 2.5 2.6 2.5

Species described or reassessed

20 47 64 31

Grant-funded research projects

16 21 19 18

Accessions of NSW threatened species in the Seedbank

502 446 402 377

Acquisitions to the Herbarium

1,887 4,230 5,650 4,565

Herbarium specimens databased

7,987 7,964 11,366 9,499

Promoting the importance of plants in natural and cultural landscapesThe Trust’s vision and mission stress the importance of learning and connecting people with plants. Ensuring that the public is aware of and engaged in the Trust’s work in science and conservation is central to many of



2011–12 2010–11 2009–10 2008–09

Participants in school and public education programs

75,151 80,711 75,964 65,786

Participants in community Greening programs

19,860 20,179 17,179 9,117

volunteers contributing to Trust programs

572 627 697 694

Protecting our heritageThe International Peer Review praised the Trust as having the most magnificent group of sites of any botanic gardens organisation in the world. It highlighted the Trust’s strengths in managing three complementary sites that have significant core botanic gardens within a wider estate offering a range of opportunities for conservation and cultural projects while retaining the unique characteristics of each Garden. The three Gardens were described as presenting the Trust with an opportunity to represent a vast array of plants from a variety of ecosystems; creating both an engaging visitor experience and a vast living laboratory.

At the same time, however, this opportunity draws attention to the need for a more cohesive vision that showcases horticultural excellence through curation and interpretation of living collections with a set of complementary themes relevant to contemporary international issues facing plants and habitats. These recommendations will be addressed early in 2013 with the appointment of a Horticultural Operations Director with oversight of horticulture and estate management across all three Trust sites.

The new Narellan Road entrance to the Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan was officially opened on 27 September by the Premier of NSW, the Hon. Barry O’Farrell MP, and the Minister for the Environment, the Hon. Robyn Parker MP. The new entrance is designed to increase visibility and access to the Garden, and has been planted with an avenue of hoop pines (Araucaria cunninghamii) that may be sponsored by individuals, businesses or community groups through a tax-deductible contribution to the Trust.

The Minister for the Environment was also present to unveil two new sculptures within the Domain in

Bryce AC, at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney in October 2011. The event included the planting of a pomelo (Citrus maxima) within the First Farm – a significant planting as it is thought that this species of citrus may have been brought to Australia with the First Fleet. The Australian Year of the Farmer committee also donated six raised tank beds for education programs to interpret farming and associated concepts during its schedule of activities for the year. Education programs throughout the year have explored ideas such as innovative farming methods, links between farming and the development of civilisations, and the contribution of botanic gardens and scientific research to agricultural productivity.

Also in October, the Trust launched its monthly e-newsletter Your Gardens to a subscriber-base of around 9000 readers. Apart from allowing the Trust to share what’s happening across the organisation with a new audience, Your Gardens is supported by a reporting system that can assess readers’ interests and which is used to refine and improve the information and stories that we provide.

In addition to the Your Gardens e-news, the Trust has increased its use of social media such as Facebook, YouTube and flickr. Responses to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Facebook page were positive, with the number of ‘likes’ more than doubling from just over 300 ‘likes’ in August 2011 to around 780 by the end of financial year. This compares to over 1600 Facebook ‘friends’ for the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan and around 4700 for the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney.

The use of the video and photo sharing sites, YouTube and flickr, is more recent. Just seven videos produced over the last three months of the financial year attracted more than 500 views, while there were over 1850 views of almost 200 photographs shared by the Trust through flickr. The use of digital communication supports the Trust’s efforts to reduce the production of printed materials, hence contributing to a reduced environmental footprint. In line with this, the Trust’s journal of plant systematics, Telopea, ceased print production in 2011 with all papers now available in full through the Trust’s website.

As the new financial year begins, a new Public Engagement Branch is being brought together to streamline and improve the Trust’s education and community programs with its other activities such as tours, marketing, publishing and public relations.


are being removed from the collection, partially in response to observations that previous management strategies had not prevented woody weeds such as Coprosma robusta from volunteering outside property boundaries. In addition, a program to replace the Prunus laurocerasus hedges that run through the Garden is underway. Key Performance Indicators

2011–12 2010–11 2009–10 2008–09

Potable water use (kL)

The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney

38,868 96,135 147,852 109,455


23,796 18,313 23,548 15,763


n/A N/A N/A N/A

* All water used at the BMBGMT is captured on-site

Sustainably managing our botanic gardens and parklands for visitorsThe numbers of people visiting and using our botanic gardens are increasing across all sites, creating both challenges and opportunities for Trust staff to manage. Visitation to the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan for the year exceeded 325,000, i.e. almost four times the annual visitation achieved before entry fees were abolished. The impact of free entry at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah, has not been as conspicuous; however, managers at both sites have put into place measures to lessen the impact on visitor satisfaction with services. The Australian Botanic Garden is undertaking works to increase the number of visitor amenities across the site while a review of arrangements for the visitor centre and Garden shop at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden has ensured visitors are greeted and provided with the services they require.

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah hosted artist-in-residence Mel Jones during 2011. Her final exhibition, Journey in Nature, featured vibrant landscapes in Pochoir, inspiring many to participate in workshops to learn this distinctive technique using hand-cut stencilling.

December 2011, further expanding the Trust’s cultural collection thanks to the generosity of the Balnaves Foundation. The two works, May Barrie’s Time and Tide and Paul Selwood’s Paradiegma metaphysic, were the 2009 and 2011 winners respectively of the Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi outdoor exhibition held annually along the coastline from Bondi to Tamarama.

Four cabbage palms (Livistona australis), salvaged from forestry operations in bushland on the north coast of NSW, were installed outside the Art Gallery of NSW in March 2012. The palms were prepared, delivered and planted by Hooper Cottage Plants, a company specialising in supplying mature cabbage palms, in conjunction with Trust horticultural staff.

A significant specimen of dragon’s blood (Dracaena draco) that was found to be toppled and resting on two palms in the Palm Grove was rescued in April 2012. An innovative system of poles, stainless steel collars and Dyneema fibre ropes, which are significantly stronger and lighter than steel ropes, was designed and installed by a specialist firm, Total Height Safety, which has designed such systems for the Trust in the past.

After five years of planning and a two-year delay, the relocation of flying-foxes from the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney began on 4 June 2012. Leading up to the disturbance, more than 3000 animals were banded and another 260 fitted with radio- or satellite-tracking devices, surpassing the requirements of State and Commonwealth conditions for monitoring potential impacts of the relocation. This regular monitoring has shown that the flying-foxes have moved to numerous colonies both within the Sydney region and across the east coast. Daily relocation activities continue to successfully deter flying-foxes from re-establishing in the Garden.

The final stage of a three-year $4.5 million major road works program was completed in June. Hospital Road, Art Gallery Road, Mrs Macquaries Road and the Central Avenue through the Domain were all reconstructed during this time, as well as numerous paths and minor roads within the Sydney site.

Other capital works at the Sydney site during the year included a major refurbishment of the Domain car park. This project was fully-funded by the lessee and has vastly improved the amenity of this asset as well as the surrounding playing fields.

At the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah there has been a focus on noxious weed management. Several potentially weedy species



2011–12 2010–11 2009–10 2008–09

visits to


3,544,344 3,657,284 3,854,750 3,456,129


325,251 116,168 84,509 88,777


128,645 75,044 70,031 69,772

People using the Domain for booked sports activities

59,300 65,379 72,732 89,755

People attending public events


433,482 378,618 419,717 514,004


23,495 21,428 16,207 14,293


65,498 46,295 24,384 15,850

Total event and venue bookings


1,264 1,076 997 905


306 301 248 202


349 354 298 266

Visitors satisfied with facilities, services and programs (%)

92 97 94 94

The 2011 artist-in-residence at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, Ms Helen Earl, created a narrative in ceramics that represented the interconnected stories and complexities of work conducted at the Garden for her final exhibition, Cultivate, staged in the Red Box Gallery during February and March 2012. Artworks ranged from detailed porcelain Gingko leaves and Camellia flowers to decorative blue glazed brooches representing seeds within the Trust’s seedbank.

The Cultivate exhibition coincided with the Trust’s annual festival, the Sydney Morning Herald Autumn of the Arts. The launch for the three-month program of music, dance, exhibitions, art classes, and walks and talks, included a special function recognising the 2012 Year of Chinese Culture in Australia and the importance of Chinese flora in Australia. Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney, H.E. Consul General Djuan Jielong, planted a rare Chinese conifer, Dacrydium pierrei, within the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney on the day.

The public launch for Autumn of the Arts, Autumn Vibes, continued the multicultural theme with food, entertainment and activities linked to the interpretation of plant collections from China, India, Indonesia, Japan and the Pacific. The event, which went on to be nominated as a finalist in the Best Community Event category at the Australian Event Awards 2012, was staged as an open invitation to all to visit any of the Trust’s three Gardens, and to more creatively deliver messages about plant diversity and conservation. The festival will be renamed ‘Autumn in Your Gardens in 2013.

Autumn of the Arts also featured the unveiling of a sculpture by the artist-in-residence at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan for 2012, Gary Christian. His piece, Figures in the Landscape, exploring the connection between people and nature, was installed in the Woodlands near the Garden’s entrance.

One of the biggest productions staged on Trust-managed lands, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour’s production of La Traviata, was held at Fleet Steps in March and April this year. The set along with audience seating and facilities was the biggest temporary infrastructure to be installed at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney since the Garden Palace was constructed for the International Exhibition in 1879. The event was promoted by Destination NSW as part of its drive to attract international tourism to Sydney.

Section 3Community Support

Corporate GovernanceOrganisation Structure

Appendices

Chamelaucium uncinatum

16 THE ROYAL BOTAnic GARdEns & dOMAin TRusT

Helen Gray, Susanne Giuffre, Thelma Griffiths, Jill Hankinson, Anne Heasman, Helen Hemphill, Jean Hobbs, Dorothy Holland, Daphne Howie, Glenn Johnson, Russell Lansbury, Marion Lean, Graeme Lees, Graham Lockhart, Gabrielle Loneragan, Pamela Macdonald, Ann Martin, Peter Martin, John Mathews, Jeannette Manyweathers*, Toni McDowell, Lyn McGrath, Della McKenzie, Judith Maynard, Karen Maxwell, Susan Miller, Judi Mills, Sue Morgan, Pauline Neville, Lynda Newnam, Jim Nicol, Susan North Ash, Erol Omer*, John Page, Jill Paterson, Jenny Pattison, Dianne Peters, Roger Pittaway, Marian Plaude, Sandy Pratten, Wendy Pratten**, Nadia Repin, Rosemary Roberts, Yvonne Roberts, Ginny Sadubin, Brian Sewell, Margaret Ann Smith, Mavis Sourry, Morris Stocker, Carol Style, Kate Symons, Mary Threlfall, Hilary Vallance, Arnold Vink, Berenice Walker, Fay Warren, Barbara Wheatley, Helen Williams

Guides: The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount AnnanPeter Andrews, Denis Astil, Jim Colvin, Robyn Davies, Lesley Hook, Monique Payne, Peter Reeves, Judy Ryan, John Shanks, Margaret Shanks

Guides: The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount TomahFrank Allatt, Ros Allatt, Lindsay Ashby, Tina Boyd, Annette Bryant, Heather Cartmel, Dawn Dunlop*, Susan Hersey, Elizabeth Howard, Lesley Hulbert, Leigh Liggett, Rae Macqueen, Airdrie Martin, Kathleen Oakes, Allison Parrello, Leif Rosengaard, Ailsa Thompson ,Tony Tree*, Jackie Wall

Wildlife monitoring: The Royal Botanic Garden, SydneyMarjorie Beck, Michaela Cameron, Lillian Camphausen, Anna Dalziell, Margaret Dean, Raoul de Ferranti, Darryl de La Mare, Sarah Devery, Catriona Duncan, Sam Englund, Erin Fardy, Alexi Gilchrist, Sophie Golding, Karen Green, Emma Henderson, Paul Holding, Robyn Holding, Elenor Jacks, William Jameson, Glenn Johnson, Sara Judge, Billy Kung, Anne Martin, Peter Martin, Luke McKinnon, Elizabeth McNaughton, Emily Mowhat, Liz Rosewall, Lynda Newnam, Tim Pearson, Darren Rosewall, Raphael Simon, Graham Smith, Karen Stephenson, Robyn Stevens, Phil Stewart, Sam Tesoriero, Irene Veith, Annie Virnig, Htat Wai Min

Begonia Garden: The Royal Botanic Garden, SydneyMarie Alcorn, Margaret Chedra, Gordon Chivers,

The Trust acknowledges the significant contribution of volunteers to its programs and activities, and those through the Friends of the Botanic Gardens, without which the Trust’s reach and success in promoting the appreciation and conservation of plants would be greatly reduced. Important milestones reached this year included both the Volunteer Guides (2011) and the Friends of the Botanic Gardens (2012) celebrating 30 years of supporting the organisation.

The Trust uses the NSW Volunteering Strategy as its reference point for setting the direction for volunteer programs, and is committed to providing a range of specific volunteering opportunities where people can not only contribute in their existing areas of skill and expertise but also gain further experience and the benefits of life-long learning.

The newly established Manager Volunteer Programs position will oversee all volunteer programs for the Royal Botanic Garden and Domain Trust and the newly integrated Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens. This will enhance reporting procedures and communication, and will allow for the development of consistent training programs as well as a uniform representation of volunteering in the public eye. All volunteers will continue to contribute to their chosen field of interest, whether that is with the Trust or Foundation and Friends.


2011–12 2010–11 2009–10 2008–09

Volunteers contributing to Trust programs (no.)

572 627 697 694

Time contributed by volunteers (hrs)

47,568 40,242 37,577 42,526

The Trust would like to thank the following volunteers for their help and support in 2011–12:

Guides: The Royal Botanic Garden, SydneyAdrienne Alexander, Elizabeth Anderson, Maria Arimon, Phillip Armstrong, Mike Barrett, Carol Beales, Noelene Bearns, Janet Bennett, Pamela Black, Rosemary Blakeney*, Heather Branch, Caroline Bray, Lisle Brown, Joan Bryant, Joy Cambage, Steve Cartland, David Chandler, Lesley Clarke, Heather Clarksen, Jan Clay, Judith Collins, Julie Collins, Patricia Copping, Allan Correy*, Peter Cunningham, Lynne Cusack, Eric Darley, Gillian Davies, Elizabeth Davis OAM, Flora Deverall, Gillian Dodd, Noel Elliot, Helen Ephraums, Beryl Ferguson, Jan Gibson, Rosemary Gleeson,

Community Support


Friends of the Botanic GardensFriends of the Botanic Gardens (Friends) continued its financial and practical support of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust by donating almost $185,000 in 2011–12, with a further $468,000 committed for the future. In addition, nearly 300 dedicated volunteers contributed many hours in a variety of roles for the benefit of the Friends and the Trust.

The Friends’ committee and subcommittees, with 38 committee volunteers, oversaw the diverse activities of the Friends. The Friends were led through the year by the elected committee: Raoul de Ferranti (President), Ann Rasmussen (Vice President), Juvie Ormonde (Secretary and Public Officer), Hugh Springford (Treasurer), Liz Dent (Volunteer Co-ordinator), Wendy Atmore, Russell Beardmore, Heather Crompton, Elizabeth McNaughton and Susan Young. Friends additionally welcomed Joanne Hambrett as a newly elected member from the 29th annual general meeting held in November 2011 whilst Peter Ayres, Dawne Clark and Lesley Hook retired from the committee during the year. The committee also included ex-officio members Professor David Mabberley (Executive Director, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust), Tim Jackson (Trustee), Debbie Mills (Friends Executive Officer) and Mark Savio (The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney) who was replaced by Frances Jackson (The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney) in February 2012.

The unaudited financial accounts show the revenue and donations received by the Friends’ trust as $926,000. This includes significant funds raised to support the Friends’ appeal for PlantBank.

Friends have made significant donations to the Trust over 2011–12 year, including $105,000 to Plant Diversity; support for the Herbarium of $14,000 and a further $65,000 for projects including staff scholarships, nurseries and a hoop pine tree at the entrance to the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan.

Friends would not have been able to make these contributions without the ongoing reciprocal support from the Trust. To facilitate the work of the Friends, the Trust has provided horticultural assistance to the Growing Friends; the use of Cottages 5 and 6; inclusion in the IT network; support in the use of venues; graphic design assistance, and the opportunity to work alongside Trust staff at many community events within the Gardens.

In a spectacular year of exhibitions, Friends held the ‘International Garden Photographer of the Year’

Bruce Fergus, Margaret Ferrie, Cheryl Gleave, Michael Guffond, Lee Sanders, Peter Sharp

Bush care: The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount AnnanRichard Austin, Bruce Chisholm, Wendy Chisholm, Terry Collins, William Crocker, Sandra Daffurn, Joel Daniels, Robin Davies, Ron Davies, Wendy Davies, Alicia Draper, David Eden, Neil Hunter, Rod Hunter, Minh Nguyen, Hannah Shuttleworth, Eileen Shuttleworth, Kris Stolzenhein, Renee Winsor

non-guiding volunteers: The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount TomahTrevor Boe, Paul Hulbert, Jim Mark, Barbara Miller, Marion Westmacott

Herbarium specimen mounting: The Royal Botanic Garden, SydneyLydia Bell, Margaret Bell, Chris Belshaw, Carol Bentley, Wayne Brailey, Ellen Brien, Louise Broadhead, Kathryn Brown, Mary Cail, Margaret Carrigg, Danka Circic, Anne Collins, Barbara Darmanin, Jane D’Olier, David Drage, Jane Helsham, Rachel Hill, Jim Hoffmann, Susan Jalaluddin, Lorraine McCarthy, Malcolm McDonald, Barbara Page, Sally Paton, Aileen Phipps, Joyce Ramsay, Sarah Renwick*, Theresa Sergeant, Graham Shields, Carol Sinclair, Pam Surman, Julie Taylor, Elisabeth Thilo, Betty Thurley, Valerie Trigg, Rosemary Varley, Margaret Waud, Ann Wilcher, Jean Williams

Library: The Royal Botanic Garden, SydneySelena Douglas-Brown, John Pearce, Evelyn Shervington, Elisabeth Thilo, Denise Walker

Plant pathology: The Royal Botanic Garden, SydneyAntonia Assaf, Gemma Bach, Jenny Hwang, Danka Kraljevski, Victoria Ludowici, Alex Newfield, Martin Peacock, Graham Shields, Henry Tang, Jaime Tulagen, Vivien Young

Other special scientific projects: The Royal Botanic Garden, SydneyIrene Bodell, Harry Brian, Beverley Honey, Leila Khorsandian*, Fred Langshaw, Ena Middleton, Lawrence Mou, Emma Oldman, Daria Sosna, Gaye Wingett * Retired ** Passed away


To promote the Gardens’ and Friends’ membership, Speakers Bureau and Friends promotion, volunteers spoke to outside organisations and attended events with Friends’ staff. Friends’ volunteers also supported fauna monitoring and worked in the Begonia Garden at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney.

Many Friends’ volunteers have served for many years, some in more than one area. Their work has ensured a successful year for the Friends. A thankyou morning tea was held in December 2011 to recognise and celebrate the vital contribution of the Friends’ volunteers; however, the Trust also extends its thanks to all those who have contributed to the success of 2011–12. Their dedication is sincerely appreciated.

Friends’ volunteers Jenny Albanis, Maria Altman, Judith Anderson, Anne Arnott, Wendy Atmore, Dr Peter Ayres, Belinda Baccarini, Victoria Bannon, Rita Barda, John Barrett, Lynette Barrett, Jan Beardmore, Russell Beardmore, Katherine Bell, Sylvia Beresford, Jenifer Best, Victor Betteridge, Prunella Booth, Julie Boreham, Noel Boreham, Philippa Bowmaker, Heather Branch, Caroline Bray, Mary Bray, Sunday Brent, Helen Brockhoff, Wendy Brodhurst, Margaret Brodie, Rodney Browne, Jean-Louis Buhagiar, Mary Byrne, Lynne Cairncross, Anne Cale, Stella Calomeris, Libby Cameron, Anne Campbell, Marianne Cannon, Alison Carr, Robert Carruthers, Lynn Cassar, Stuart Chalmers, Margaret Chambers, Albert Chan, Cecilia Choy, Chris Clark, Dawne Clark, Diana Coates, Susan Cohen, Gillian Cook, Annie Cooney, Eleanor Cornish, Wendy Cottee, Catherine Cowan, Julie Cremer, Barry Cresswell, Heather Crompton, Margaret Curley, Brian Darlington, Catherine Darmo, Elaine Davidson, Heather Davidson, Catherine Davies, Carolyn Davis, Raoul de Ferranti, Susanne de Ferranti, Margaret Dean, Desmond Dent, Elizabeth Dent, Helen Dignan, Larraine Dillon, Dean Driscoll, Pat Duncan, Chris Elliott, Jan Etteridge, Beryl Ferguson, Annie Fergusson, Janet Fish, Deirdre Fleeting, Maureen Foord, Barbara Forward, Lesley Foster, Ruth Foster, Ruth Fowler, Elizabeth Garbacz, Diana Garder, Wayne Gardner, Julia Gardoll, Corrine Gibson, Heather Goodwin, Janet Gourlay, Carolyn Green, Carol Griesser, Dallas Griffin, Jan Grimison, Anne Grose, Michael Guffond, Robin Guthrie, Jo Hambrett, John Hancock, Margaret Hanks, Philip Hannaford, Lynne Harlow, John Harries, Kotchie Harrington, Joanna Harrop, Bronwyn Harvey, Anne Hawker, Barrie Heidenreich, Helen Hemphill, Eleanor Herriott,

exhibition direct from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; our own photography competition exhibition ‘Gardens in Focus’; the stunning ‘Artisans in the Gardens’, and welcomed the return of ‘Botanica’ to the beautiful setting of the Maiden Theatre and Moore Room. These exhibitions were amongst a full calendar of interesting events, including the movie premiere of ‘The Lost World’, day trips and workshops as well as tours to India, China and, more locally, to the Rydal Daffodil Festival.

Thanks to the generosity of members and the staff of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Friends accumulated a huge selection of interesting books for the second-hand book sale from which excess books, as well as plants from Growing Friends, were donated for the use of Community Greening.

Friends would like to acknowledge the horticulturalists who support the special member benefit Helping Hand program, as well as those members who take advantage of this benefit to come in on early mornings, rain or sun, to experience horticultural work in the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney.

Friends’ VolunteersOf course all of this could not have been achieved without the significant contribution of our volunteers. Friends acknowledge and appreciate the contribution made by almost 300 active volunteers during 2011–12, who willingly provided their valuable time, as well as special talents, skills and enthusiasm. It is through such dedication that Friends operate effectively each year.

Friends’ staff were supported by an impressive 28 office volunteers undertaking the administration of Friends’ business. There were 65 Information Booth volunteers who provided helpful advice to Garden visitors six days per week at the Woolloomooloo Gate entrance to the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney.

The Growing Friends teams (90 volunteers in total) at each of the Gardens continued their work propagating and selling plants. Plant sales were held at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney and the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan, as well as many special openings on- and off-site.

With so many exhibitions and special events, including Friends New Years Eve and book sale, the support provided by 110 volunteers during these occasions, as well as 49 catering volunteers, is invaluable. A further 11 volunteers provided additional help setting up exhibitions, workshops and art master classes.


Dr Hugh Taylor, Elfriede Taylor, Robyn Thomas, Frieda Thornhill, Peter Thornhill, Mary Threlfall, Jane Treloar, Margaret Turner, Valerie Tyler, Dr Anne Underwood, Paul Urquhart, Anne van Roekel, Dr Peter Valder, Celia Waldron, Ingrid Walker, Susan Wannan, Maureen Ward, Robyn Ward, Angela Webb, Roslyn Wheeler, Sue Whitham, Jennifer Whittam, Jann Wiener, John Wigan, Carolyn Wilcocks, Joan Wilcox, Jane Williams, Neil Wilson, Jennifer Wilson, Chris Wokes, Rae Woodward, Carol Young, Margaret Young, Susan Young, Vivien Young

Friends Waratah members and other supportersWaratah members provide additional financial support through the making of an annual donation of $250 or more, in addition to their annual membership dues. We thank the long standing and new Waratahs for their continuing generosity, as well as the many other donors who have contributed to the special appeal to raise funds for the teaching and research laboratories within PlantBank and other generous gifts towards our Gardens.

Gold Waratahs, who gave $1000 or moreJamieson & Megan Coote, Raoul de Ferranti & Merilyn Sleigh, John & Margot Egan, Richard & Harriet England, John Flint & Nora Hinchen, James & Leonie Furber, Richard & Shona Gallagher, Sibylle Krieger & Bruce McClintock, Judith MacIntyre, Robert & Susan Maple-Brown, Greta Moran, Alan Olsen & Pamela Bennett, Tom & Robyn Pinzone, Beryl Raymer, Susan Rothwell, Bill & Maureen Ryan, Janis Salisbury, Alison Sida, Alison Stephen, Eleanor Sydney-Jones, David & Elizabeth Wills

Silver Waratahs, who gave $500 or more Chris Armour, Bruce Arnold & Nancy Fox, Robert Bartlett, Shane Bedford & Linda Hunt, Warren & Nancy Boyd, Donald & Sally Bradford, Ian & Diana Daly, Anne De Salis, Suzanne Dowsett, Julie Drew, Geoffrey & Jan Driscoll, Jim & Annie Fergusson, Bruce Flood & Kathryn Olsen, Matthew & Georgina Glascott, Warren Green, Bill & Kate Guy, Anne Hawker, Michael Hudson & Jenny De Mole, Christine Kenworthy, Mary Lane, Michael & Sarah Lawrence, Nina Loder, Colin & Mary-Rose McDonald, David & Barbara Millons, Kenneth & Helen Neale, Jill Paterson, Ken & Jan Roberts, Beverley Roden, Ruth Staples, John & Gail Ward, Jill Wran

Bronze Waratahs, who gave $250 or more Lenore Adamson, Antoinette Albert, Beverly Allen,

Cheryl Hill, Susan Hill, Alan Hind, Liz Hind, Kim Hines, John Hinson, Rosemary Hodgkinson, Geoffrey Hook, Lesley Hook, Libby Horrobin, Merilyn House, Sandra Hudspith, Lynsey Hughes, Joan Humphreys, Rodney Hunter, Susan Hutchinson, Suzanne Isherwood, Peter Ives, Tim Jackson, Jeanie Jagelman, Kamala Jegaraj, Nicky Joffe, Jillian Johnson, Winsome Johnstone, Christine Jorgensen, Scott Junk, Adam Kane, Marion Kearns, Helen Keene, Susan Khouri, Linda Kichno, Gabrielle King, Lynne King, Dr Diana Kingston, Suzanne Knowles, Anna Konecny Reich, Mel Kovacs, Doug La Rose, Greg Lamont, Richard Landon, Barbara Lane, Sybil Laws, Gayl Leake, Robin Leonard, Graham Lockhart, Tracy Longden, Tempe Macgowan, Robyn Macintosh, Judith MacIntyre, Fidelma Macnamara, Margaret Mahony, Elizabeth Martin, Rae Mashford, Deryl Mason, Robin McBride, Elizabeth McCabe, Ann McCauley, Jenifer McDermott, Stan McDonald, Janette McDonald, Mardi McElvenny, Jocelyn McGirr, Derek McIntosh, Ann McIntyre, Robin McIntyre, Judith McKernan, Sue McLay, Janet McMahon, Elizabeth McNaughton, Madeleine McPherson, Susan Meares, Jann Meikle, John Meikle, John Middleton, Rosemary Millar, Julieanne Mills, Margaret Mills, Pam Milthorpe, Judith Mitchell, Robyn Mitchinson, Jan Moncrieff, Miranda Montrone, Dianne Moore, Patricia Moroney, Catherine Morrison, Grace Mroz, Sean Mullen, Pat Muller, Don Mulligan, Jennifer Nagle, Anne Neild, Lidia Nemitschenko, Diane Newsom, Kathryn Nixon, Janine Oates, Joanne O’Brien, Devika Ogden, John O’Neill, Juvenalia Ormonde, Trish O’Rourke, Marie Pallister, Allison Parrello, Gail Paton, Susan Paxton, Wendy Perkins, Elisabeth Pidd, Ida Piovesan, Bertha Power, Sandy Pratten, Jill Prior, Elizabeth Rabbitts, Ann Rasmussen, Jorgen Rasmussen, Peta Rattray, Peter Reeves, Julie Reid, Krythia Reid, Geoffrey Richards, Suzanne Richards, Narelle Richardson, Sondra Riley, Janet Roberts, Bruce Robertson, Beverley Roden, Shelley Roden-Smith, Helen Rogers, Jane Rodgers, Karen Roser, Douglas Roser, Enid Ross, Pam Rudder, Jana Rychvalska, Carmen Sablatnig, Elva Salter, Joan Scott, Penelope Scott, Rosemary Sewell, Doris Shearman, Graham Shields, Patricia Shields, Ute Short, Lesley Simpson, Ecila Simpson, Timothy Sjoquist, Prue Smith, Colin Snodgrass, Janet Snodgrass, Prue Socha, Mavis Sourry, Bruce Spence, Patricia Spring, Hugh Springford, Robyn Stafford, Jane Steele, Margaret Stewart, Diana Storer, Lindy Stuart, Annie Sutherland, Kenneth Swinbourne, Eleanor Sydney-Jones,

THe ROYAL BOTAnIc GARdenS & dOMAIn TRuST 20

Dr David Millons, Prof. Bruce Milthorpe, Mosman Home Gardeners’ Society, Sir Rupert Myers, Bill & Sally Nelson, Rachel O’Conor, Juvenalia Ormonde, Anabel Parbury, Jan Perrott, Sharon Ramsay, Beryl Raymer, Christine Rethers, Alex Robertson, Bruce Robertson, Janis Salisbury, Evelyn Shervington, Jean Siemon, John & Robynne Siemon, John Siemon, Siemon Inventments Pty Ltd, Margot Simington, Merilyn Sleigh, Ruth Staples, Hazel Sullivan, Graham Thompson, Margaret Tuckson, Peter Valder, Edward Vellacott, Morna Vellacott, John Warneford, Jane Williams, Chris Wokes

(Note: Anonymous donors excluded)

Financial SupportSponsorshipsAs Principal Conservation Partner of the Trust, HSBC Bank Australia made a significant contribution to the PlantBank capital campaign, along with funding the vital work of research scientists who collect seeds listed on the State’s threatened species list. In 2011–12 HSBC enabled the Trust’s Seedbank to reach a seed banking milestone. Our scientists collected and banked seed of 22 threatened species during the collection season, resulting in the seedbank now holding 272 threatened species, equivalent to 40 per cent of the State’s threatened plant species.

The facilities for the Seedbank are nearing capacity. PlantBank, a world class research and education centre due to be completed late in 2012, will deliver a twenty-fold increase in the capacity of the Seedbank. The facility will also provide the technology and storage to collect, conserve and research 100 per cent of Australian plant species, even those that do not respond well to traditional seed banking techniques. HSBC Australia has sponsored PlantBank’s thermal efficient seed vault, where millions of seeds will be deep frozen and preserved for the future.

HSBC Australia and the Principal Conservation Partnership also contribute to the Trust’s Asia Capacity Building program and to delivering its sustainable horticulture commitments.

TransGrid’s ongoing commitment to PlantBank was honoured with the second of a three-year sponsorship commitment in support of the facility’s Seed Processing Unit. TransGrid’s engagement with the Trust and its conservation work was encouraged and celebrated through a TransGrid Family Day at the Australian

Judith Andrews, John Archibald, Henry & Peta Badgery, Joy Beattie, Andrea Bye, Beverley Cameron, Donald & Margot Child, Gavin Coles & Kerry Braithwaite, Susanne de Ferranti, Helen Devenish-Meares, Eleanor Dunn, Suzanne Entwistle, Julie Fitness, Ian Fraser, David & Lyndall Fuller, John Gale, Allan Gilden, Leon Gillam, Brian & Dallas Griffin, Hope Hanks, Beryl Harrington, Owen Haviland & Susan Hope, Philip & Janita Hercus, Alan & Liz Hind, John & Mary Holt, Michael & Penny Hunter, Philip & Sheila Jacobson, Christina Kennedy, Gilles & Susan Kryger, Robin Low, Alex & Robyn Macintosh, Sam & Katrina Makhoul, Jock & Sandra McDonald, Cherrie McDonald, Craig & Katherine Merson, Caroline Minogue, David & Cheryl Nelson, Laura Olsson, Robin & Elisabeth Pidd, Mary & Nancy Rickard, Bruce Robertson, Beverley Robson, Peter & Diana Sainsbury, Anthony Sherlock, Evan & Jean Siegel, Suzanne Stebbings, Kathryn Stoddart, Mary Taylor, Simon Turner, Edward & Morna Vellacott, John & Beverley Warneford, Geoffrey & Sally White, John & Irene Willimott, Chris & Julia Wokes, W. & Janet Wolfenden

(Note: Anonymous donors excluded)

donors who gave more than $250 to support the work of the Friends, particularly through donations towards PlantBankMadeleine Adams, Lenore Adamson, Beverly Allen, Judith Andrews, Chris Armour, Geraldine Arnott, Judith Arnott, Wendy Atmore, John Ayling, Victoria Bannon, Lady Joy Beattie, Pamela Bennett, Sylvia Beresford, Berry and District Garden Club Inc., Ian Blackburne, Barbara Briggs, Jean-Louis Buhagiar, Herma Buttner, Beverley Cameron, Alison Carr, Lucinda Chubb, David Coleby, Barbara Colquhoun, Robert Constable, Lynn Cook, Margaret Craig, Malcolm Crompton, Barbara Cummins, Diana Daly, Ian Daly, Gillian Davies, Raoul de Ferranti, Susanne de Ferranti, Helen Devenish-Meares, Leycester Devenish-Meares, Susan Devenish-Meares, Flora Deverall, Rae Druitt, Janet Easton, Zeny Edwards, Boronia Foley, Luke Foley, Rosalind Gibson, Matthew Glascott, Neville Grace, Warren Green, Bill & Kate Guy, Margaret Hamilton, Hope Hanks, Jennifer Harris, Dr Alistair Hay, Barbara Hill, Rachel Hill, Leona Hole, F. Max & Tess Hooper, Douglas & Tim Jackson, Philip Jacobson, Isabelle Joseph, Ian Lansdown, Don Le Quesne, Margaret Lederman, Graham Lockhart, Nina Loder, Robert & Susan Maple-Brown, Debbie McDonald, Judith McKernan, Susan Miles, Barbara Millons,


Laboratory within PlantBank, and second donations towards PlantBank were gratefully received from both the Jamoca Foundation and the Pace Foundation.

We are delighted that at year-end the remaining fundraising target for PlantBank was approximately $550,000. The Trust is very grateful to the many companies, individuals and charitable foundations that have made financial commitments to this important plant conservation facility.

Grants A significant grant was awarded for 2012–13 by the UK’s Arcadia Fund towards the Trust’s Rainforest Seed Conservation Project. When match-funding is secured, this generous donation will enable the Trust to undertake a flagship plant conservation project within the newly opened PlantBank facility that targets some of Australia’s most fragile endangered plant species.

Through a grant to the Trust in 2012, the Mazda Foundation is facilitating the seed collection of 15 rare and threatened Australian plant species at the Seedbank. These species have not been conserved in any seed bank worldwide. The new collection includes critically important rainforest species, sourced from some of the region’s most challenging environments.

The Bjarne K Dahl Trust generously supported the Eucalypt Arboreta Enhancement project at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan.

dedication programThe Trust’s dedication program fundraising target was exceeded in 2011–12 and we would like to thank the many generous individuals and families who supported this program. Our tree, bench and rosebush dedication program provides financial support which allows the Trust to continue its long history of studying and conserving the world’s flora. This program also allows our donors to share their personal stories and pay tribute to a special person or event through a personal plaque on each bench, tree or rose bush that has been dedicated.

The Trust would also like to thank those donors who donated to the hoop pine tree dedication program at the new entrance to the Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan, which continues to be a significant fundraising venture for the garden.

The Trust would like to thank all sponsors and supporters who have given in this financial year:

Principal conservation PartnerHSBC Bank Australia

Botanic Garden, Mount Annan, where 100 TransGrid staff and their families helped with African olive removal and plantings on the TransGrid easement.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth donated both financial and pro-bono legal support to the Trust, and we are delighted to be continuing this partnership in 2012–13.

Bloomberg’s commitment to supporting plant conservation continued through its generous sponsorship of the NSW Seedbank.

Fairfax Media’s support of the Garden entered a second successful year through its donation of significant in-kind advertising and promotional opportunities to the Sydney Morning Herald Autumn of the Arts 2012.

Initiatives at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan were supported by Interlink Roads and Landcom. The Artist-in-Residence program entered its second year in 2011–12 with Figures in the Landscape by Gary Christian adding to Interlink Roads’ legacy. Landcom continues to sponsor the annual Carols in the Garden event at Mount Annan.

Community Greening is now in its twelfth year, thanks to a shared vision with and ongoing financial support from Housing NSW (Department of Family and Community Services). This year the Trust and Housing NSW signed another five-year partnership ensuring this program’s future until 2016. Since the program commenced, education horticulturists have interacted with over 40,000 social housing tenants and their local communities and helped them develop 224 Community Greening projects. Eden Gardens continues to be a major supporter of this program by making significant product donations, along with Oasis Horticulture, Alpine Nursery and Northcote Pottery.

In-kind donations of horticultural goods and products were given by Neutrog Fertilisers, Pillingers Hiring Service and Treloar Roses.

Pernod Ricard Australia made its final year sponsorship contribution to the Trust through provision of Wyndham Estate wines.

PlantBank capital campaignAlong with the continuing generous commitments of HSBC Australia and TransGrid, Glenlee Industrial Park made a generous contribution to the PlantBank campaign.

A significant grant was received from an anonymous Australian foundation towards the Microscopy

PlantBank was the fundraising priority during the year and major gifts ($5,000 and over) toward this project were received from Ruth Armytage, Clive Austin, the Clayton Family, Richard England, Jane & Peter Garling, James Graham, Gina Grubb, David Healey, Cyril & Margaret Maloney, the Tieck Family and Sally White. We thank them enormously, along with others who supported PlantBank.

Major gifts were also received for the following projects:

Youth Community Greening: With most generous support from the Eden Foundation, this environmental education program for youth in need is funded for a second four-year term until 2016. Our horticultural education officer works in the field alongside schools and community groups to create gardens and assist their learning programs.

The Rainforest Seed Conservation program of collecting and conserving targeted rainforest species is entering its second three-year term with generous support from Tony Maxwell and Robyn Godlee, and Dr Jan and Mr Ken Roberts AM. This program will be enhanced with new scientific equipment in PlantBank.

The Bird Bath Fountain in the Lotus Pond within the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney was installed following conservation work, part of the generous support of James O Fairfax AC, for statuary restoration in the Royal Botanic Garden. The project has improved the overall presentation of the Lotus Pond, especially the water quality.

Library Treasures: With a grant from the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, the first stage of digitising the Trust’s library collection is under way. Stages two and three will see realisation of this project making our important collections open to readers around the world. In addition, the Trust is grateful for the generous support from Dr Alistair Hay to undertake vital conservation work on selected historically-valuable, beautiful, rare books, and for the receipt of a bequest in honour of Library volunteer, Lois Shirley Stewart, to fund the purchase of books on the botany of Australia or the history of English botany or horticulture.

Master Plan for the Royal Botanic Garden: Mr Geoffrey and Mrs Rachel O’Conor have made a generous donation to fund the master plan for the Royal Botanic Garden, one of the major recommendations of the International Peer Review. The master plan will inform future infrastructure, landscaping and horticultural decisions.

Major sponsors and supportersThe Bjarne K Dahl Trust Bloomberg L.P. Corrs Chambers Westgarth Eden Gardens & Garden Centre Fairfax Media Ltd Glenlee Industrial Park Housing NSW Department of Family and Community Services The Ian Potter Foundation The Jamoca Foundation Landcom The Mazda Foundation M5 Motorway Neutrog Fertilisers The Pace Foundation TransGrid

Sponsors and partnersEgan Associates Oasis Horticulture Pty Ltd Ord Minnett Pillingers Hiring Service Pernod Ricard Treloar Roses Welshs Smash Repairs Weedtecnics

The Royal Botanic Gardens FoundationThe Royal Botanic Gardens Foundation is a charitable Trust endorsed as a deductible gift recipient under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 with authority to fundraise and GST Concession and Income Tax Exemption status.

The Foundation thanks its board of Councillors, who, at 30 June 2012 were: Clive Austin (Chair), Daniel Baffsky, Penny Curry, Richard England, Odette Gourley, Ronald Griffin, Nicholas Playoust, Adelle Robinson and Tony Sherlock. Mr John Taberner retired as a Councillor and the Foundation thanks him for his contribution. Dr Robyn Williams and Jamie Durie are thanked for their roles as Ambassadors. During the year, Councillors Griffin, Sherlock, Austin and England also served on the Audit, Finance and Investment Committee (AFIC). The Foundation also thanks Jennifer Crivelli of Ord Minnett for attending the AFIC committee meetings, providing advice on the market and Foundation investments.

The Foundation supports the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust through raising funds for Bicentenary projects and major initiatives. In 2011–12 gifts were received from individuals and grant giving foundations for PlantBank and other specific projects.



Sue Gazal, James & Helen Graham, The Greatorex Foundation, Antony Green, Ronald & Helen Griffin, Georgina Grubb, David Healey, Lesley Kernaghan, Nancy Malfanti, Cyril G. Maloney, Elizabeth Mooney, The Moore Family, Christine Moss, Mundango Abroad Pty Ltd, Conrad Oppen & Alice Oppen OAM, Faye Parker, Sam & Helen Sheffer, Alice Simpson & Robbie Feyder, Prue Socha, Lois & Ron Stewart, Maxine Stewart, Dr Colin Sullivan AO & Jeanette Sullivan, John Taberner, David & Pam Uther, Sally White

Foundation supportersMadeleine Adams, Judith Arnott, Charles Barnes, Bill & Marissa Best, Dr Ian Blackburn, Graham Bradley, Patrick Brennan Trust, Dr Barbara Briggs, Vic Brown, Reg Bryson, Sir Raymond & Lady Burrell, Mark Burrows AO, Peter Burrows, Valma Burrows, Jillian Cobcroft, Michael Coleman, Mike & Susie Crivelli, Trevor Danos & Dr Veronica Lambert, Andrew & Penny Davis, Mandy Dawkins, Anne De Salis, Ronald Finemore AO, Leon Fink, Nancy Fox & Bruce Arnold, Family Frank Foundation, Libby Gole, Odette Gourley, John & Philippa Graham, Pat & Dianne Handley, David Heinzen, Dr John Hewson AM, Andrew Horsley, S.C. Ingate, Mark Johnson AO, Laidlaw Foundation Pty Ltd, Julian Lavigne, John Leaver, Dr C.J. & Mary-Rose McDonald, Susanna & Rob McDonald, Alistair McLean, Roslyn Maguire, Nick Manettas, Tricia Marriot, Anthony & Suzanne Maple-Brown, Robert & Susan Maple-Brown, Christopher Melluish, Paul & Megan Nelson, Maurice L. Newman, Robert C. Neill, Joan Nicol, Peter Olde, Howard Pierce, David Pumphrey, Chris Quinn, John Reid AO, Steven & Gayl Rich, Pam Roberts, Susan Rothwell, Leo Shanahan, Prof. Ross Steele AM, Ruchir Sodhani, John Southwell OAM, Tim & Janine Studdert, John Studdy AM, Sydney Rotary Club, Boon Tan, Mary Tanner, Tickets Now Pty Ltd, Bret Walker SC, Sir Arthur & Lady Weller, The Whyte Family, Robert & Heather Wicht, Carol Willesee, Edwin Wilson, Malcolm Wilson, Peggy Yeum

Foundation and Friends of the Botanic GardensThe Trust is grateful to the Foundation for the support that is has given it over the years through raising funds for Bicentenary projects and major Trust initiatives. In March 2012, a decision was made to work towards a merger of the Foundation with the Friends of the Botanic Gardens, subject to obtaining the necessary

Papua New Guinea trees research: The Mundango Foundation has maintained its valuable support for a research project identifying and documenting PNG rainforest species. A Trust botanist has worked with and trained local people in methods which will enable them to improve local forest management and sustainability.

The Foundation would like to thank those many individuals who continue to give generous annual donations that have contributed to PlantBank and other key projects of the Trust. The following list recognises those who have donated in the past year or are current benefactors:

charles darwin FellowsClive & Lorna Backhouse Estate, John B. Fairfax AO, Dr Alistair Hay, Dr Jan Roberts & Mr Ken Roberts AM, The Eden Foundation, Estate of Cliffina Thersey Rathborne

Sir Joseph Banks FellowsAllianz Australia Ltd, Bruce Arnott, Roslyn Baker, Morrish Besley AM AC AO, Tom Breen & Rachael Kohn, Sir Ronald Brierley, James O. Fairfax AC, Lady (Nancy) Fairfax AO, Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, Tony Maxwell & Robyn Godlee, Ian & Helen McLachlan, Drs William & Sarah Nelson, Geoffrey & Rachel O’Conor, Gretel L. Packer, Roslyn Packer AO, Thyne Reid, Alexander & Dorothy Robertson, Philip & Caroline Simpson, Estate of Josephine Swane, Mary Whitton

Joseph Maiden FellowsPatricia & Clive Austin, The Mabel & Franklyn Barrett Trust, Greg & Myra Bell, Judith Beswick, Roxane Clayton, Jennifer Crivelli, David & Kathryn Groves, Pamela Jane Harrison, Dick Honan & the Honan Family, Jamoca Foundation, Pauline Markwell & Dr Shann Turnbull, Playoust Family Foundation, Lee-Anne Reid, Herman Slade Foundation, Herman Slade Orchid Fund, Nell & Hermon Slade Trust, Modified Accessible Taxis Joint Venture, The Tieck Family, Estate of Elsie May Webster

Allan cunningham FellowsDavid & Liz Adams, Robert & Simone Arnott, Ruth Armytage, Daniel Baffsky & Sarah-Jane Clarke, Prof. Carrick Chambers AM & Margaret Chambers, Ian Conley, Sophia Rose & Genevieve Elise Cook, Antony Coote AM, Peter & Penny Curry, Prof. Noel & Adrienne Dan, Dr Gillian Davies, Elizabeth Davis OAM, Anne & Kelvin Geddes, Julie Drew & Michael Grace AM, Richard & Harriett England, Dr Tim Entwisle, Margaret Esson, John Gale OBE, Jane & Justice Peter Garling,

approvals from Foundation supporters and Friends’ members. On 12 July 2012 this merger was completed.

The structure of the newly formed Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens (Foundation and Friends) includes the Chairman Clive Austin, former Chair of the Foundation, and the Deputy Chairman Raoul de Ferranti, former President of Friends. The new Board consists of representatives from Foundation, Friends and Trust.

The creation of the new entity will enable Foundation and Friends to increase the level of support to the Trust, utilising a more streamlined structure for fundraising and through improved collaboration with the Trust, which will enable Foundation and Friends to operate more effectively.

The Board of Trustees is very grateful to both the Foundation Councillors and the Committee of the Friends of the Botanic Gardens for their enthusiasm and commitment to this substantial organisational change.


The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust is a statutory body established by the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Act 1980. The legislation defines the objectives, powers and functions of the Trust and its Board of Trustees, and vests certain land and property in the Trust. It also governs the Regulations relating to all three botanic gardens and the Domain. The Trust is formally accountable to the Minister for the Environment for fulfilling its statutory requirements.

The non-executive Board members are appointed by the Governor of NSW on the recommendation of the Minister for a renewable term of up to four years. The Board’s membership represents a diversity of expertise and experience in horticulture, plant sciences, business, industrial relations, education, and cultural and community affairs.

In 2011–12 staff were employed through the Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet (NSW). The assets and programs remain the responsibility of the Trust.

RemunerationRemuneration of Trustees is determined by the Premier under the guidelines for the Remuneration and Categorisation of Boards. The Trust is classified as an Advisory Committee which, under the terms of the Act, is ‘… subject to the control and direction of the Minister …’. In 2011–12 the Chairman received an annual fee of $7,350 and the other Trustees each received $3,675 per annum.

Trust liabilityTrustees and employees of the Trust are covered by the Treasury Managed Fund for any legal liability, as long as the action is not illegal or criminal and outside the scope of their duties.

Best practiceIn meeting the Trust objectives and setting a clear strategic direction for the organisation, the Trustees are committed to best practice in corporate governance. In 2011–12, Trustees conducted their activities with reference to the Premier’s Conduct Guidelines for Members of NSW Government Boards and Committees.

In 2011–12 there were no declarations from any Trustee of conflicts of interest or gifts received.

Legislative changesIn 2011–12 there were no changes to Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Act 1980.

Trust meeting attendanceThe Director, Finance and Commercial Operations, is Secretary to the Trust and keeps the common seal. The Senior Executive Assistant records the minutes of the Trust. The Trust met six times in 2011–2012.

TRuSTee MeeTInGS ATTended

Greg Martin (Chairman) 6 out of 6

John Egan 6 out of 6

Professor Lesley Hughes 6 out of 6

Tim Jackson1 5 out of 5

Sibylle Krieger 6 out of 6

Tom Pinzone 6 out of 6

Vanessa Priest 4 out of 6

1 Ms Jackson’s tenure ended 28 May 2012


Corporate Governance


TIM JAcKSOn Cert.Hort.UK, FAIH (Reappointed 29 May 2009; present term expired 28 May 2012)

Tim is former Vice President of the NSW Council of the Australian Institute of Horticulture, and former President of the Friends of the Botanic Gardens from 2001 to 2003. A pioneer member of the Growing Friends, Tim was instrumental in establishing the Friends’ Artisans exhibition in 2000 and in implementing the garden-themed Literary Lunch in conjunction with the Sydney Writers Festival in 2004. Tim, a member of the Horticultural Media Association, writes freelance gardening articles for various magazines, and continues to be involved in the Australian Institute of Horticulture and in community-based gardening. Tim chaired the Botanic Gardens Committee of the Trust.

SIBYLLe KRIeGeR LLB (Hons), LLM, FAICD, MBA (Appointed 1 June 2010; present term expires 31 May 2014)

Sibylle has 33 years of broad commercial experience as a lawyer, company director, economic regulator and independent consultant. She was a partner of two major law firms for 22 years and held several management roles. She holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School and has recently completed six years as one of three Tribunal members on the principal NSW economic regulator (IPART). She is a non-executive director of Allconnex Water in south-east Queensland and has in the past served as a non-executive director of Sydney Ports Corporation. Sibylle is a member of the Bicentenary Advisory Committee involved in the oversight of the Trust’s fundraising initiatives and is a member of the Trust’s Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee.

TOM PInZOne BEng (UNSW), FIEAust, MICE, MAICD (Reappointed 18 March 2010; present term expires 25 April 2014)

Tom is a consulting civil engineer with over 35 years professional experience. For the majority of his career he worked with GHD Pty Ltd and held a variety of senior technical, managerial and corporate positions, including 6 years as a Director. Prior to his retirement he was GHD’s Global Leader Transport. He was the co-author and leader of a widely quoted series of Australian Infrastructure Report Cards. He has a long history of service with professional and industry associations at

TrusteesGReG MARTIn BEc, LLB, FAIM, MAICD (Appointed Chairman 1 December 2003; appointed to Trust 1 July 2003; present term expired 30 June 2012)

Greg is a non-executive Director of a number of listed and unlisted companies including Santos Limited and Energy Developments Limited. Greg is Managing Director of Murchison Metals Ltd and is a previous CEO and Managing Director of AGL with over 30 years experience in the utilities, energy and energy-related infrastructure sectors in Australia, New Zealand and internationally.

JOHn eGAn BA (Hons), MBA, FAIM, FAICD, FIMC (Appointed 18 March 2010; present term expires 25 June 2014)

John is a career management consultant, with particular interests in the alignment of strategy with organisation structure, Board governance and remuneration matters. John served on the Federal Council of the Institute of Management Consultants for a number of years, including a term as President and was Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Sydney that year, serving as Chairman from 2001 to 2010. John is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business and is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Sydney. In the past 12 months John chaired the Bicentenary Advisory Committee and the Lachlan Macquarie Medal Selection Committee, was a member of the Botanic Gardens Committee and is a Board member of the Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens. He has a particular interest in cool-climate gardens (www.thebraesgarden.com).

PROFeSSOR LeSLeY HuGHeS BSc (Honours), PhD (Appointed 2 February 2009; present term expires 1 February 2013)

Lesley is internationally (and locally) recognised for her research on the impact of climate change on biodiversity, and more broadly on evolutionary ecology. She is currently the co-convenor of the Terrestrial Biodiversity Network operating under the auspices of the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, a lead author on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a member of the Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board, and a federal Climate Commissioner. Lesley chairs the Scientific Committee of the Trust and was a member of the Lachlan Macquarie Medal Selection Committee.


executive and committee level, including Engineers Australia, Consult Australia, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia and the Warren Centre and has served on a number of Government advisory groups. Tom is very involved with the Trust’s new projects and chairs the Trust’s Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee.

vAneSSA PRIeST Dip.Teach, B.Com, M.Tax, C.A (Appointed 2 February 2009; present term expires 1 February 2013)

Vanessa is a Director of Taxation with PKF and has 18 years experience in chartered accounting, all of it in taxation advising and consulting. She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Taxation Institute of Australia and has a Masters of Taxation Law. Vanessa’s client base includes corporates, large family trusts and various deductible gift recipients, and she has a particular interest in the tax issues associated with not-for-profit organisations. Vanessa is a regular presenter for various professional associations and media outlets. She is a member of the Trust’s Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee.

ExecutivePROFeSSOR dAvId MABBeRLeY MA (Oxon), PhD (Cantab) Executive Director

Accountable to the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Chief Executive Office of Environment and Heritage, and the Minister for the Environment for the efficient and effective management of the organisation, including its horticultural, scientific, educational, public engagement, marketing, commercial and corporate support functions.

dR BReTT SuMMeReLL BScAgr (Hons), PhD Deputy Executive Director, Science & Conservation

Responsible for the leadership and management of Science and Conservation Programs, including systematics, ecological and horticultural research, as well as the National Herbarium of NSW, library and laboratories.

JAnIce PuLLen BBus, MBA, CPA Director, Finance & Commercial Operations

Responsible for the organisation’s financial resource management and business services, including leasing and the Trust’s retail services. Secretary to the Trust and the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee.

MARK SAvIO Hort. Cert Director, The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney

Responsible for the management of all services and operations at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney.

cAZ MccALLuM MAg (Turf Mgt), BA, DipEd, MAIH Director, The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan

Responsible for the management of all services and operations at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan.

ROB SMITH BA, NatHortCert, FRIH Director, The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah

Responsible for the management of all services and operations at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah.

KATe FAITHORn BComms, Design&PublishingCert, MIA Acting Director, Public Engagement

Responsible for the management of public engagement for the organisation including community education, marketing, public relations, volunteer programs, tour programs, design and editorial services.

nIcKY JOneS Acting Director, Development

Responsible for the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of strategies and programs that secure fundraising targets and objectives for the organisation.


Organisation StructureMINISTER FOR THE

ENVIRONMENT

OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENT & HERITAGE, DEPARTMENT OF

PREMIER & CABINET

THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS & DOMAIN TRUST

THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS & DOMAIN TRUST

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

FINANCE & COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS

Director

PUBLIC EXPERIENCE

A/Director

DEVELOPMENT A/Director

PhilanthropyManager

SponsorshipManager

Development Support Officer

SCIENCE & CONSERVATION

Deputy Executive Director

Evolutionary EcologyManager

Plant DiversityManager

Horticultural ResearchManager

Collections Manager

Plant PathologyManager

Centre for Plant

Conservation Coordinator

Design & Editorial Services Manager

Royal Botanic GardenManager

Domain & Infrastructure

Manager

Security ServicesManager

THE AUSTRALIAN

BOTANIC GARDEN MOUNT ANNAN

Director

HorticultureManager

Technical & Administrative

ServicesManager

Landscape Planning

Officer

Natural HeritageManager

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

BOTANIC GARDEN MOUNT TOMAH

Director

Natural Areas & Arboriculture

Coordinator

Community EducationManager

Ornamental Horticulture

& DesignCoordinator

THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN SYDNEYDirector

Positions as at 12 July 2012

On 12 July 2012, the Royal Botanic Gardens Foundation merged with the Friends of the Botanic Gardens to become the Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens, an independent entity separate to the Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust.

Woodlands & Turf

CoordinatorWildlife ManagementProject Officer

Marketing & Visitor Services

The Australian Botanic Garden,

Mount Annan

Manager

Public RelationsManager

Visitor Services &Marketing The Blue Mountains

Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah

Manager

Volunteer Programs Manager

Marketing & Tourism Coordinator

Research Assistant Executive Support

PlantBankManager

Venue Management

Manager

Security Services

Senior Ranger

Security Services

Senior Ranger

Business Services Manager

Financial Accounting

Manager

Management Accounting Accountant

Senior Project Officer


correlates of vegetation. Trust records are a major resource for the current revision of the NSW Priority Action Statement for threatened species.

The Trust has established high-level contact with the Global Taxonomy Initiative of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, and with other international groups, to further Asia-Pacific objectives. The Trust also continued to contribute to national and international committees related to the management and dissemination of plant diversity data, such as the IUBS International Working Group on Taxonomic Databases, the Australian Herbarium Information Committee (HISCOM), the Species 2000 Asia-Oceania group, the Pacific Biodiversity Information Forum, and the executive committees of key international database groups. These forums encourage international and national biodiversity activities.

Work on the ‘Guide to trees of Papua New Guinea’ project (www.pngplants.org) continues as part of a collaborative research initiative with the Papua New Guinea National Herbarium to document the tree flora of that country.

Target 2: An assessment of the conservation status of all known plant species, as far as possible, to guide conservation action The Trust nominates one member to each of the State’s two key inter-agency expert committees that determine the extinction–risk status of species and ecological communities for legislative listing: the NSW Scientific Committee (for terrestrial species) and the NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee (for aquatic species). Other staff and honorary research associates also provide information that contributes to the assessments and legislative scheduling of threatened species and communities at both State and Commonwealth level.

Target 3: Information, research and associated outputs, and methods necessary to implement the Strategy developed and shared Scientific staff contribute to the development of model systems, training manuals, conservation data-repositories and long-term monitoring projects of importance to vegetation management and conservation.

In 2011–12 the expert knowledge held by staff of threatened species and threatening processes has been channelled into the revision of the Priority Action Statement (PAS2), the State’s main knowledge repository for the management of threatened terrestrial species. Conservation ecology work detailed under

Global Strategy for Plant Conservation The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) is an international charter for action that aims to bring an international focus to policy, research and capacity related to the conservation of plants and vegetation communities. Since the first iteration of the Strategy expired in 2010, a review of progress led to the adoption of an updated GSPC 2011–2020. This second iteration of the Strategy has five main objectives and 16 specific targets, which can be accessed though the Convention on Biological Diversity: www.cbd.int/gspc.

The Trust, along with affiliates within the Council of Heads of Australian Botanic Gardens (CHABG), have consistently used the GSPC as a reference point for conservation activities and have sought a wider uptake of the GSPC by other Australian conservation-related agencies. The Trust has reported progress against GSPC targets since 2007.

Objective I: Plant diversity is well understood, documented and recognised

Target 1: An online flora of all known plantsThe National Herbarium of New South Wales is the principal repository for documented samples and data of the State’s plants and one of the major repositories and botanical research centres for Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. The Herbarium’s 1.2 million specimens form an authenticated scientific baseline of taxonomic, nomenclatural and distributional knowledge of plant species, which contribute to the accuracy and currency of specialist handbooks and general Floras, such as the multi-volume Flora of Australia, Algae of Australia and Fungi of Australia, and the Flora of New South Wales, now maintained on-line through PlantNET.

Trust staff and research associates continue to contribute to the development of the Australian Plant Census, and to the production and documentation of taxonomic knowledge across a wide range of plant groups.

Progress in the digital capture of scientific data, and in the development of our database structures and tools, is increasing the use of our data in natural resource management geographical information systems (GIS), including conservation-related systems. Our data inputs include records of historic and current vegetation cover, species distributions, survey records, living collections, habitat, and physical and biological

Appendices


Target 7 is contributing directly to a capability to model species responses to habitat change, including climate change. Seed technology work detailed under Target 8 is contributing directly to the national repository of wild plant germplasm and to a capability to use such material for species conservation and ecological restoration.

Several staff have been closely involved in the national and State response to the spread in Australia of the exotic pathogenic fungus Puccinia psidii (myrtle rust, Eucalyptus rust), which causes a disease on a potentially wide range of species in the plant family Myrtaceae and is likely to have serious ecological, silvicultural and horticultural effects. The Trust’s Plant Pathology Unit is engaged in study of the phylogeny of this pathogen. The Trust has also been the major partner of the Australian Network for Plant Conservation (ANPC) in developing and delivering a series of awareness and training courses on myrtle rust throughout regional NSW and Queensland. These have been well attended and received by people from government agencies, natural resource management bodies, local government, the green-life industries, ecological consultancies, community groups and some major utilities suppliers. The manual for this course has been fully updated during the year to maintain its relevance for further training.

Objective II: Plant diversity is urgently and effectively conserved

Target 4: At least 15 per cent of each ecological region or vegetation type secured through effective management and/or restorationInternationally, one of the Trust’s community ecologists is a member of the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Commission on Ecosystem Management, and has made substantial contributions to new draft IUCN criteria and guidelines for the assessment of threatened ecological communities.

At State level, the comprehensive review and typology of ecological communities in the NSW Native Vegetation Classification and Assessment has become a standard reference for conservation planning in those areas of the State covered so far, including strategies for reserve acquisition strategies. The current phase of the Assessment will complete coverage of the western fall of the Southern Tablelands and Alps areas, and will provide full coverage for the eight western Catchment Management Authorities. The Trust continues to liaise with ecologists at the Office of Environment and Heritage working on compatible classifications for the coastal regions of the State.

Regionally, evolutionary ecology staff continue to explore the genetic basis of adaptive traits in rainforest plants, and to analyse the history and adaptive potential of species and vegetation types in the rainforests of north-eastern NSW. This work involves using genetic profiles to reconstruct past shifts in the distributions and adaptive strategies of plant species in response to environmental change. It has direct relevance in predicting responses to current and future pressures on wild species, including climatic change. In the community ecology field, studies also continue of ecological communities (several of them endangered) across the Sydney Basin and Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, including assessment of ecological change and potential threatening processes in the Newnes Plateau swamps, and the development of new web pages on Newnes Plateau plants for the Trust’s website.

Target 5: At least 75 per cent of the most important areas for plant diversity of each ecological region protected with effective management in place for conserving plants and their genetic diversityThe Trust provides botanical, ecological and plant pathology expertise and services to assist with assessment and management of reserve lands, through direct collaboration and advice and through research outputs.

Target 6: At least 75 per cent of production lands in each sector managed sustainably, consistent with the conservation of plant diversityThe NSW Native Vegetation Classification and Assessment project is progressively describing and classifying (but not mapping) the native terrestrial vegetation communities of NSW west of the Great Divide. This enables detailed characterisation of native vegetation types and remnants, and their conservation status at regional and State scales.

The seed biology of many native plant species is being documented through in situ and laboratory studies at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan. This information contributes directly to the management of endangered ecological communities as well as many threatened species, with a particular focus on species of the Cumberland Plain and of rainforest communities.

Target 7: At least 75 per cent of known threatened plant species conserved in situTrust collections and databases provide much of the basic taxonomic, distributional and diagnostic information on which the recognition, conservation assessment and management of plant species depends. Trust staff provide expert input and research


change, and hence informs management and recovery strategies.

• Wollemi pine ecological and pathological studies: research and management of the Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis), including study of grove ecology and growth dynamics, and tracking and treating an outbreak of Phytophthora root-rot.

• Phylogeny of myrtle/eucalyptus rust (Puccinia psidii): clarification of the taxonomic position of this newly arrived and aggressive pathogen on the Myrtaceae family is one of the national priorities for responding to it.

During the year, the Trust provided input to the Office of Environment and Heritage on the updating of the Priority Action Statement for threatened species (PAS2), and is represented on its steering group. Eleven Trust staff and one Scientific Associate contributed to 49 expert interview sessions, equating to about 14 full time equivalent (FTE) days of interview time plus an estimated eight FTE days of preparation time.

Target 8: At least 75 per cent of threatened plant species in ex situ collections, preferably in the country of origin, and at least 20 per cent available for recovery and restoration programsThe Seedbank and Horticultural Research unit at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan (ABGMA), has consolidated earlier work to focus on key areas of relevance to environmental management at departmental, national and international levels, mainly in the area of germplasm (largely seed) conservation and utilisation.

This germplasm work has been a major focus of Trust conservation activity for several years. Partnerships with the Millennium Seed Bank (UK) and corporate entities such as HSBC Bank, have enabled an expanded program of seed collection, seed banking and technology, and seed biology research, and have led to a successful NSW Treasury capital bid to build PlantBank: a new seedbank and science research facility at ABGMA. Construction of this $20 million facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.

PlantBank will house an expanded seedbank as well as seed and horticultural research programs, and tissue-culture and cryostorage facilities. Plant scientists will be able to work with the germplasm of NSW flora, whether as seed or as tissue in cryo-storage or culture. All these genetic resources will be available for scientific studies and for conservation activities such as reintroduction of threatened species and ecosystem restoration.

support to many recovery plans and threat abatement plans and to the NSW Threatened Species Priority Action Statement (PAS2).

Trust staff are active members of:

• NSW Scientific Committee (for threatened terrestrial species and ecological communities)

• NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee (for threatened aquatic species and ecological communities)

• IUCN Species Survival Commission Re-introduction Specialist Group

• PAS2 Working Group (NSW Office of Environment & Heritage)

• Wollemi Pine Conservation Management (Recovery) Team

• Border Ranges Multi-Species Recovery Committee

• NSW Phytophthora Threat Abatement Working Group

• Commonwealth Myrtle Rust Scientific Advisory Group.

Staff are also represented on several single-species and single-community recovery teams, and various working groups of the non-government Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc. (ANPC).

Several Trust research programs have a direct bearing on adaptive management of wild plants in situ, including:

• Seed biology of rainforest plants: in situ management and recovery actions for rainforest species require information on the desiccation tolerance, dormancy, longevity, germination, and other ecological characteristics of their seeds. Identification of the many rainforest species that have desiccation-intolerant seeds (and hence cannot be captured in normal seed-banking) is vital, to allow the development of alternative techniques for storage of their tissues and its use in future conservation programs.

• conservation ecology and genetic research using molecular, ecological and environmental data from rare and common paleo-endemic NSW rainforest trees to identify causes of rarity and to infer past patterns of spread and retreat with environmental changes. This helps build models for assessment of the responses of wild plant species to environmental impacts like habitat fragmentation and climate


The Trust is an active partner in the Australian Millennium Seed Bank Partnership, which groups all Australian partners of the earlier Millennium Seed Bank programs, and which is the main point of linkage for a continued cooperative national seed-banking and seed research effort.

Translocation of species (their establishment at new sites, or re-establishment in areas in which they had become extinct) is a technique increasingly being used in Australia, both for threatened species and for non-threatened species restoration. As ‘assisted migration’, it is also a technique being widely canvassed in the context of conservation planning for climate change. This practice overlaps with that used in ‘ordinary’ revegetation using common species, but often requires more specialist knowledge or specific techniques to improve success. Several Trust staff members have been active in this field for many years, with three being members of the Australian Network for Plant Conservation’s Translocation Working Group, two on the steering committee of the Australian Seed Bank Partnership, and one a member of the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Species Survival Commission’s Re-introduction Specialist Group.

Target 9: 70 per cent of the genetic diversity of crops, including their wild relatives and other socio-economically valuable plant species conserved, while respecting, preserving and maintaining associated Indigenous and local knowledgeTrust activity against this target falls mainly under research and training in plant pathology, and the promulgation into the wider community of Indigenous knowledge and insights through teaching and interpretation. In plant pathology (see also Target 10), the Trust contributed to studies of diseases of crop plants and the potential for pathogens to cross from native ecosystems to cropping systems. Major pathogens like Fusarium may in some circumstances lead to the loss of important parts of the genomic variation of crop species.

Monographic studies of commercial citrus and wild crop relatives are underway to better resolve the evolutionary relationships between wild crop relatives of citrus and their commercially-grown counterparts.

Target 10: Effective management plans in place to prevent new biological invasions and to manage important areas for plant diversity that are invadedThe Trust is represented on two key inter-agency committees that assess the threatening processes for NSW legislative listing as Key Threatening Processes, including those relating to alien species. The Botanical

A major focus of the seed conservation work is on rainforest habitats, including seed collections and subsequent testing of seed for desiccation tolerance and suitability for storage. Screening protocols for incoming rainforest seed have been developed and applied to determine their suitability for storage by conventional means; unsuitable (recalcitrant) seeds will be trialled for alternative storage regimes, including tissue culture and cryogenics. Three years of external funding has been secured for the Rainforest Seed Conservation project. Particular priority is being given to species of the Myrtaceae family, in view of the extensive spread of myrtle rust into coastal rainforest habitats.

Work and publication on the seed ecology and biology of some alpine species continues, with a focus on determining the range of temperatures at which alpine species can germinate and their requirements for stratification; this work is relevant to the management of species in the face of climate change.

Research also continues on the conservation of threatened orchid species through the isolation, culture and use of the mycorrhizal fungi that orchids require. A long-term project is underway to develop appropriate tissue culture protocols for threatened species that set no, or poor-quality, seed.

The seedbank continues to provide seed collections and technical support for the restoration of Cumberland Plain Woodland remnants throughout the ABGMA, particularly ecological restoration following the removal of invasive African olive.

Seedbank Statistics (at 18 July 2012)

Total estimated NSW native seed bearing plant taxa (excludes ferns): cycads, conifers, angiosperms 5,810

NSW Threatened vascular plant taxa (excluding ‘presumed extinct’ in NSW) 636

In seedbank:

Total collections 9,960

Total species 4,669

NSW native collections 4,805

NSW native species 2,146

‘Threatened’ NSW collections 537

‘Threatened’ NSW taxa 263

% NSW seed bearing taxa 36.90

% ‘Threatened’ NSW taxa 41.30


Objective Iv: education and awareness about plant diversity, its role in sustainable livelihoods and importance to all life on earth is promoted

Target 14: The importance of plant diversity and the need for its conservation incorporated into communication, educational and public awareness programsScience staff give many presentations to both public and scientific or specialist audiences, and these often have a conservation focus. The Trust has been a partner in the delivery of publicly accessible training events on myrtle rust in regional New South Wales and Queensland.

The Trust’s two scientific journals continue to document the taxonomic diversity of the State’s plants (Telopea) and their ecology (Cunninghamia). Prompt and accurate servicing of public botanical inquiries, via the Botanical Information Service and the Plant Disease Diagnostic Unit, plays an important role in awareness raising, particularly in relation to threatened species in development zones and introduced plant diseases. The Trust’s website is providing an expanding suite of resources on the native and introduced plant species and vegetation communities of New South Wales, their ecology and their conservation status.

Community Education staff at all three botanic gardens delivered school and public programs to over 75,000 participants this financial year, including students in school lessons. Programs include structured educational courses and activities with a plant or horticultural focus, on-site visitor interpretation, talks and guided tours. Conservation and sustainability themes are an element of many of these interactions.

The Trust’s Community Education program has recently been brought under the newly formed Public Engagement Branch, which will create an integrated and strategic approach to the planning and delivery of communication, public engagement and learning activities across the organisation.

Objective v: The capacities and public engagement necessary to implement the Strategy have been developed

Target 15: The number of trained people working with appropriate facilities sufficient according to national needs, to achieve the targets of this StrategyThe PlantBank facility under construction at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan will greatly increase the Trust’s capacity to train tertiary students and community conservation practitioners, and to provide in-service training for agency and industry staff.

Information Service provides expert identification of exotic and introduced weed species, and works with external collaborators to ensure early detection of newly naturalising species. The Plant Disease Diagnostic Unit provides affordable diagnoses of plant diseases, including for natural area and species managers. A long-term focus of research is on the distribution, pathology and genetic variation of Phytophthora cinnamomi (a cause of root-rot and dieback in several national parks and other natural areas in eastern New South Wales) as well as important bushland reserves on Sydney Harbour foreshores. Trust staff are active members of the NSW Phytophthora Threat Abatement Working Group and ad hoc liaison groups with local councils and other land managers that are working to develop practical management and risk minimisation protocols. Remedial treatment of a wild grove of Wollemi pines for Phytophthora cinnamomi infection continues.

Staff of the Plant Pathology, Plant Diversity and Centre for Plant Conservation units have also been major contributors to the science and education components of the State and national responses to the arrival in Australia of the pathogen myrtle rust (Puccinia psidii) since 2010.

Objective III: Plant diversity is used in a sustainable and equitable manner

Target 11: No species of wild flora endangered by international tradeThe Trust is represented on the NSW Cut-flower Advisory Committee. The Botanical Information Service provides expert plant identifications, including for export-control authorities. Trust services provide expert forensic identification for plant import/export seizures as needed, and contribute to import risk assessment processes as appropriate.

Target 12: All wild harvested plant-based products sourced sustainablyThis target is not relevant to the Trust except insofar as we are able to provide expert advice in some instances for assessment of sustainable yield.

Target 13: Indigenous and local knowledge innovations and practices associated with plant resources maintained or increased, as appropriate, to support customary use, sustainable livelihoods, local food security and health careThe Trust advises government bodies on conservation priorities and opportunities, hosts relevant public and specialist events, and has staff expertise across the organisation in Indigenous and non-Indigenous plant practices and cultural knowledge.


Asia-Pacific Capacity Building Action PlanObjective

To contribute to the long-term conservation of plants and their habitats worldwide, by building capacity and sharing expertise among botanic gardens of the Asia-Pacific region.

Rationale

The Trust is a leading botanic garden in Australia and internationally; it is relatively well resourced and has the capacity to help; it has good historical connections with countries in the Asia-Pacific region; and Australia and New South Wales both have interests in the local region that this could enhance.

The Trust has strong links with some countries and botanic gardens, for example Bogor (Indonesia) and Singapore, and will use these relationships to further the program. Countries that have been identified as high priorities, due to historical linkages, proximity or need, include Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, East Timor and New Caledonia.

Progress against actions

Establish relationships opportunistically with botanic gardens within the regionIn February 2011, a team of four Trust staff travelled to Vietnam to assist in developing a landscape and master plan for a proposed botanic garden in the Bidoup Nui-Ba National Park. These plans were designed to provide a preliminary model for the sustainable development of 20 significant national parks within Vietnam.

Following the success of this stage of the relationship between the Trust and Bidoup Nui-Ba, representatives from the National Park in Vietnam have been invited to visit Sydney to learn more about the roles and functions of botanic gardens in conservation work, and important aspects to consider when establishing a contemporary botanic garden. With funding support from the Trust’s principal conservation partner, HSBC Australia, and the Vietnamese Government, four Bidoup Nui-Ba staff members will spend time in September 2012 at the Trust’s three gardens learning how our science, education and horticulture programs complement the conservation programs of national parks in Vietnam.

Develop a Diploma in Asia-Pacific Botanic Gardens Management with Singapore Botanic Gardens,

It will also allow the Trust to host many more visiting scientists, promoting skills transfer between Australian and overseas centres. Development of an interpretation strategy for this facility is underway.

Tertiary level professional and technical training and student supervision occurs mainly through the Science and Conservation Branch in various branches of plant science. Staff also delivered guest lectures at various universities in NSW and overseas.

The Centre for Plant Conservation coordinates several aspects of Trust work on biodiversity conservation and is a focus of outreach and collaboration, especially with the Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc. (ANPC) in which the Trust has long played a major role. During the year, the Conservation Botanist (Centre Coordinator) has focussed on contributing to public education on myrtle rust, and on the revision of the State’s Priority Action Statement for threatened species (PAS2). The Centre maintains close links with other OEH units, biodiversity conservation units in agencies in other jurisdictions, external conservation bodies such as the Australian Association of Bush Regenerators, and other organisations.

Staff of the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan, continue to provide training in Plant Germplasm Conservation and Sustainable Development in a three-day course for honours year and post-graduate students from the University of Sydney.

Target 16: Institutions, networks and partnerships for plant conservation established or strengthened at national, regional and international levels to achieve the targets of this StrategyTrust staff are active in many networks that directly or indirectly underpin plant conservation efforts. Some are active at national and local leadership levels in the Australian Network for Plant Conservation (ANPC); some are working to develop research collaborations and wider awareness networks on plant pathogens including Fusarium, Phytophthora and Puccinia psidii. Others integrate their research work with on-ground conservation efforts, as in the rainforest recovery programs of north-eastern NSW. The Trust is a natural focus for national and international linkage for plant conservation.

Staff have contributed to a number of training and teaching courses internationally to improve expertise in the identification and recognition of plants, algae and fungi. Examples of such courses include the International Master of Science course in Economic Botany at the University of Leiden, The Netherlands, the International Fusarium Workshop in Bari, Italy, and workshops on the identification of marine algae in Asia.


Australian Radula (Radulaceae: Jungermanniiae). $75,000 (2nd year of a $225,000 3-year grant)

Prof. Pauline Ladiges, dr Marco duretto & Dr Michael Bayly: Molecular phylogeny and infrageneric classification of Zieria (Rutaceae), with emphasis on relationships of endangered, narrow endemic taxa. $10,000 (2nd year of a 3-year $30,000 grant)

Australian Research Council – Linkage GrantDr Andy Lowe (University of Adelaide), dr Maurizio Rossetto & dr Brett Summerell: ‘Species and gene turnover across environmental gradients - a landscape-level approach to quantify biodiversity and resilience for climate adaptation’. $90,000 (1st year of a 3 year $270,000 grant)

Bloomberg Limited PartnershipPeter cuneo & dr cathy Offord: Seed Quest NSW partnership. $30,000

Caring for our Country GrantJacqueline Reid (Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, PWG) & dr edward Liew: Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area: Management, Protection and Preservation. Phytophthora Dieback component: $150,000 (final year of a 2 year grant)

Gosford City Council – Ecological Research Grantdr Karen Sommerville: Restoration potential and genetic diversity of Diuris bracteata. $18,700 ex GST, continued from last year

Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking CorporationPeter cuneo & dr cathy Offord: Seed Quest NSW partnership $100,000

Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL) Research and Development GrantProf. David Guest (University of Sydney) & dr edward Liew: Biology and Management of Nut Rot of Chestnut. $12,000 (final year)

Ian Potter FoundationPlantBank funding. $250,000 (2nd year of a 3-year $750,000 grant)

Mazda FoundationPeter cuneo & dr cathy Offord: Seed Quest NSW partnership. $30,000

National Environment Research ProgramProf. Darren Crayn (James Cook University), Dr Craig Costion (JCU), Kaylene Bransgrove (JCU), Dr Katharina Schulte (JCU), Dr Sandra Abell-Davies (JCU), Dr Dan Metcalfe (CSIRO), dr Maurizio Rossetto, Prof. Andy

Botanic Gardens Conservation International and Botanic Gardens of Australia and New ZealandIn 2010 the Trust worked with Australian partner botanic gardens to design and deliver the International Certificate in Botanic Gardens Management in the Asia-Pacific Region, a short course presented at the Singapore Botanic Gardens to help build local and regional capacity and expertise in the management of living collections and the conservation of plant diversity; however, without further commitment from partner organisations, this action has not progressed further.

Integrate the Asia-Pacific Capacity Building program, along with any other international training projects for botanic gardens, in the proposed Centre for Plant Conservation and ResearchConstruction of PlantBank (formerly referred to as the Centre for Plant Conservation and Research) is underway at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan. It is proposed that the relocated Seedbank in this new facility will act as a repository for seed collections from across the Asia-Pacific region. Funding has also been secured from the Arcadia Foundation to employ a seed training officer whose focus will be seed conservation activities in rainforest throughout eastern Australian and the Asia-Pacific.

In addition, the Trust has established high-level contact with the Global Taxonomy Initiative of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, and with other international groups, to further Asia-Pacific objectives.

Development of interactive identification tools for common trees of Papua New GuineaWork on the ‘Guide to trees of Papua New Guinea’ project (www.pngplants.org) continues as part of a collaborative research initiative with the Papua New Guinea National Herbarium to document the tree flora of that country.

Research grantsGrant funding to the Trust

Andrew Mellon Foundationdr dale dixon: Global Plants Initiative 5th Annual Meeting Madrid, Spain. $4,373

Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS)dr elizabeth Brown & dr Matthew Renner (Postdoctoral Fellowship grant): A molecular and morphological investigation of species limits in


Leonie Stanberg: The 9th International Conference on Cycad Biology – CYCAD 2011, Shenzhen Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, Shenzhen, Guangdong, Peoples Republic of China (1–7 December 2011) $2,355

Royal Botanic Gardens Foundation

dr cathy Offord & Peter cuneo: ‘Rainforest Seed Project: Stage 2’ – Rainforest seeds research and conservation project. $80,000 (1st year of a 3-year project). Project funded by donations from private benefactors Tony Maxwell, Robyn Godlee & Ken Roberts

daniel Solander Library: $115,847 donation from private benefactor Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation to digitise historic documents; $14,800 donations from a range of private benefactors to catalogue the rare book collection; $10,000 donation from private benefactor Dr Alistair Hay to conserve rare book collection; $10,000 donation from private benefactor Lois Shirley Stewart to acquire rare books

PlantBank funding: $100,000 donation from an anonymous charitable trust; $320,600 donation from an anonymous foundation

PublicationsScience

Telopea (a journal of systematic research) and Cunninghamia (a journal of plant ecology for eastern Australia), each published twice a year, are available by subscription or on exchange to other organisations.

General

Botanic Gardens of Sydney Guidebook (2005)

The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Sculpture Trail: A walk amongst the passing passions & abiding values of Sydney (2011)

Both publications are available from the Trust’s Garden shops. Some earlier publications are available upon request.

Your Gardens e-newsletter was launched in October 2011 and is distributed monthly to a database of 7,300 subscribers.

Academic papers

Trust researchers are shown in bold type. Includes publications by staff, students and honorary research associates.

Lowe (University of Adelaide) & Prof. Stephen Williams (JCU): ‘What is at risk? Identifying rainforest refugia and hotspots of plant genetic diversity in the Wet Tropics and Cape York Peninsula’. $107,000 (1st year of a 3-year $320,000 grant)

Office of Environment and Heritagedr Karen Sommerville & dr cathy Offord: Ex situ conservation of several threatened orchids in the Murray Catchment. $26,000 (ex. GST)

Plant Health Australia and Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)dr edward Liew & dr Marlien van der Merwe: Phylogenetic position of the Puccinia psidii sensu lato complex in the Pucciniales. $14,000 (1½ year grant of $60,000)

Slade Orchid Funddr Karen Sommerville: Terrestrial Orchid Conservation. $30,000

collaborative grants

Australian Research Council – Discovery GrantDr Tianhua He (Uni WA), Prof. Byron Lamont (Curtin Uni), dr Peter Weston & Prof. Richard Cowling (Curtin Uni): Origin and evolution of plant functional traits in relation to fire. $110,000 (1st year of a 3-year $310,000 grant)

Friends of the Botanic Gardens

national Herbarium of nSW: $14,000 to purchase specialised trolleys for freezing herbarium specimens as part of the integrated pest management plan

Margaret Flockton Award and Exhibition$10,000

Research Grantsdr Maurizio Rossetto: ‘Bicentenary Plant Diversity Project’ to collect representative Australian flora, curate relevant herbarium section and conduct research on the association between climate gradients and genetic diversity. $125,000 (continuation of previous grant)

Scientific Travel Scholarshipsdr elizabeth Brown: IBC, Melbourne (23–29 July 2011) $3,300

dr Richard Jobson: IBC, Melbourne (23–29 July 2011) $3,300

dr nathalie nagalingum: IBC, Melbourne (23–29 July 2011) $3,300


Saude, C., Shuttleworth, L.A., Stukely, M.J.C., Vanky, K., Webster, B.J., Windstam, S.T. & Groenewald, J.Z. (2012) Fungal Planet description sheets: 107–127. Persoonia 28: 138–182.

Crous, P.W., Summerell, B.A., Shivas, R.G., Carnegie, A.J. & Groenewald, J.Z. (2012) A re-appraisal of Harknessia (Diaporthales), and the introduction of Harknessiaceae fam. nov. Persoonia 28: 49–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.3767/003158512X639791.

Crous, P.W., Summerell, B.A., Shivas, R.G., Romberg, M., Mel’nik, V.A. Verkley, G.J.M. & Groenewald, J.Z. (2011) Fungal Planet description sheets: 92–106. Persoonia 27: 130–162. www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nhn/pimj.

Crous, P.W., Summerell, B.A., Swart, L., Denman, S., Taylor, J.E., Bezuidenhout, C.M., Palm, M.E., Marincowitz, S. & Groenwald, J.Z. (2011) Fungal Pathogens of Proteaceae. Persoonia 27: 20–45.

cuneo, P. & Leishman, M.R. (2012) Ecological impacts of invasive African olive (Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata) in Cumberland Plain Woodland, Sydney, Australia. Austral Ecology doi: 10.1111/j.1442-9993.2012.02382.x.

Devos, N., Renner, M.A.M., Gradstein, R., Shaw, A.J., Laenen, B. & Vanderpoorten, A. (2011) Evolution of sexual systems, dispersal strategies and habitat selection in the liverwort genus Radula. New Phytologist 192: 225–236. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03783.x.

Divljan, A., Parry-Jones, K., Roberts, B., Eby, P., van der Ree, R. & Martin, J. (2012) A measure of body condition in flying-foxes: an assessment of methods based on mass and length, 15th Australasian Bat Society Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

Eby, P., Martin, J., van der Ree, R., Roberts, B., Divljan, A. & Parry-Jones, K. (2012) Famished – the responses of flying-foxes to food shortages in south-east Australia, 15th Australasian Bat Society Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

Emery, N., Offord, c., Wardle, G., Henwood, M. & Overall, R. (2011) Variation in seed dormancy among populations of the fire-ephemeral flannel flower, Actinotus helianthi. Orbit 2: 22–28.

Ens, E.J., Towler, G.M., Daniels, C., the Yugul Mangi Rangers & the Manwurrk Rangers (2012) Looking

Aldous, D.E., Offord, c.A. & Silk, J.P. (2011) The origin of horticulture in Australia: the early European colony in Sydney 1778–1850. Chronica Horticulturae 51: 9–13.

Benson, d. (2011) Native plants of Sydney Harbour National Park: historical records and species lists, and their value for conservation monitoring. Cunninghamia 12: 61–84.

Benson, J.S. (2012) Ox-Eye Daisy: An expanding weed on the Tablelands. Nature NSW 56: 24–25.

Cassano, V., Metti, Y., Millar, A.J.K., Gil-Rodríguez, M.C., Sentíes, A., Díaz-Larrea, J., Oliveira, M.C. & Fujii, M.T. (2012): Redefining the taxonomic status of Laurencia dendroidea (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) from Brazil and the Canary Islands. European Journal of Phycology 47: 67–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09670262.2011.647334.

Choi, B-K., duretto, M.F. & Hong, S-P. (2012) Comparative seed morphology of Boronia and related genera (Boroniinae: Rutaceae) and its systematic implications. Nordic Journal of Botany 30: 241–256.

conn, B.J. (2011) Loganiaceae (version 1), in: Kellermann, J. (ed.) Flora of South Australia (ed. 5), 8 pp, State Herbarium of South Australia, Adelaide. www.flora.sa.gov.au/ed5

conn, B.J. (2011) Xyridaceae (version 1), in: Kellermann, J. (ed.) Flora of South Australia (ed. 5), 3 pp, State Herbarium of South Australia, Adelaide. www.flora.sa.gov.au/ed5

conn, B.J. (2011) Botanical collecting, in Thieberger, N. (ed.) The Oxford handbook of linguistic fieldwork. Oxford University Press, Oxford. pp 250–280.

conn, B.J. & Hadiah, J.T. (2011) Precursor to flora account of Procris (Urticaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore 63: 155–162.

Crous, P.W., Summerell, B.A., Alfenas, A.C., Edwards, J., Pascoe, I.G., Porter, I.J. & Groenewald, J.Z. (2012) Genera of diaporthalean coelomycetes associated with leaf spots of tree hosts. Persoonia 28: 66–75.

Crous, P.W., Summerell, B.A., Shivas, R.G., Burgess, T.I., Decock, C.A., Dreyer, L.L., Granke, L.L., Guest, D.I., St.J. Hardy, G.E., Hausbeck, M.K., Huberli, D., Jung, T., Koukol, O., Lennox, C.L., Liew, e.c.Y., Lombard, L., McTaggart, A.R., Pryke, J.S., Roets, F.,


Leslie, J.F. & Summerell, B.A. (2011) In search of new Fusarium species. Plant Breeding and Seed Science 63: 93–101.

Mabberley, d.J. (2011) A note on some adulatory botanical plates distributed by Sir Joseph Banks. Kew Bulletin 66: 1–3. doi:10.1007/s12225-011-9291-y Key: citeulike:9925392.

Mabberley, d.J. (2011) Foreword, in: Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. Aloes: The definitive guide. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, p. 6. ISBN-13: 9781842464397

Mabberley, d.J. (2011) Foreword, in: Smith, G.F. & Pienaar, K. The Southern African: What flower is that? (4th ed.) Random House Struik, Cape Town, South Africa, p. 7. ISBN: 9781770075269

Mabberley, d.J. (2011) The role of the modern botanic garden: the evolution of Kew. Plant Diversity and Resources 33: 31–38.

Mabberley, d.J. & de San Pío Aladrén (2012) La carta de colores de Haenke de la Expedicíon Malaspina: un enigma — Haenke’s Malaspina colour-chart: an enigma. Facsimile, Real Jardín Botánico, CSIC, Madrid, Spain, 36+ pp.

Mabberley, d.J. & Hopper, S.D. (2011) ‘The Queen of Botany’: Charlotte and the royal gardens at Kew, in: Gahrau, M. (compiler) Festschrift anlässlich des 250sten Jubiläums der Krönung von Sophie Charlotte, Prinzessin zu Mecklenburg-Strelitz zur Königin von Großbritannien. Schwerin, pp 47–53.

Makinson, R.O. (2011) Myrtle Rust – a new problem for ecological restoration in Australia, in: O. Nichols & N. Vikuskis (eds) Proceedings of the 2011 Workshop on Australian Mine Rehabilitation. J.K.Tech Pty Ltd, Indooroopilly, Qld. pp. 245–257. ISBN: 978-0-975.

Mast, A.R., Milton, E.F., Jones, E.H., Barker, R.M., Barker, W.R. & Weston, P. (2012) Time calibrated phylogeny of the woody genus Hakea (Proteaceae) supports multiple origins of insect pollination among bird-pollinated ancestors. American Journal of Botany 99: 742–787.

McPherson, H. & Murray, L. (2011) Elaeocarpaceae (version 1), in: J. Kellerman (ed.) Flora of South Australia (ed. 5). State Herbarium of South Australia, www.flora.sa.gov.au 6pp.

Morin, L., Aveyard, R., Lidbetter, J.R. & Wilson, P.G. (2012) Investigating the host-range of the rust fungus Puccinia

back to move forward: Collaborative ecological monitoring in remote Arnhem Land. Ecological Management & Restoration 13: 26–35.

Gibson, R., conn, B.J. & Bruhl, J. (2012) Morphological evaluation of the Drosera peltata complex (Droseraceae). Australian Systematic Botany 25: 49–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/SB11030.

Hamilton, K.n., Offord, c.A., cuneo, P. & Deseo, M.A. (2012). A comparative study of seed morphology in relation to desiccation tolerance and other physiological responses in 71 Eastern Australian rainforest species. Plant Species Biology. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-1984.2011.00353.x.

Hellquist, C.B. & Jacobs, S.W.L. (2011) Aponogetonaceae, in: Flora of Australia Volume 39, Alismatales to Arales. ABRS/CSIRO Melbourne, Australia, pp 44–52.

Hosking, J.R., conn, B.J., Lepschi, B.J. & Barker, C.H. (2011) Plant species first recognised as naturalised or naturalising for New South Wales in 2004 and 2005, Cunninghamia 12: 85–114.

Jacobs, S.W.L. (2011) Alismataceae, in: Flora of Australia Volume 39, Alismatales to Arales. ABRS/CSIRO Melbourne, Australia, pp 3–13.

Jacobs, S.W.L. & Brock, M.A. (2011) Ruppiaceae, in: Flora of Australia Volume 39, Alismatales to Arales. ABRS/CSIRO Melbourne, Australia, pp 95–98.

Jacobs, S.W.L. & Mccoll, K.A. (2011) Limnocharitaceae, in: Flora of Australia Volume 39, Alismatales to Arales. ABRS/CSIRO Melbourne, Australia, pp 1–2.

Jacobs, S.W.L. & Mccoll, K.A. (2011) Najadaceae, in: Flora of Australia Volume 39, Alismatales to Arales. ABRS/CSIRO Melbourne, Australia, pp 99–104.

Jacobs, S.W.L. & Mccoll, K.A. (2011) Zannichelliaceae, in: Flora of Australia Volume 39, Alismatales to Arales. ABRS/CSIRO Melbourne, Australia, pp 105–110.

Jacobs, S.W.L., Mccoll, K.A. & Kuo, J. (2011) Hydrocharitaceae, in: Flora of Australia Volume 39, Alismatales to Arales. ABRS/CSIRO Melbourne, Australia, pp 14–43.

Knight, A., Elix, J.A. & Archer, A.W. (2011) A new species of Pertusaria (lichenized Ascomycota, Pertusariaceae) from New Zealand. Australasian Lichenology 69: 33–34.


psidii sensu lato across tribes of the family Myrtaceae present in Australia. PLoS ONE 7(4): e35434.

nagalingum, n.S., Marshall, C.R., Quental, T.B., Rai, H.S., Little, D.P. & Mathews, S. (2011) Recent Synchronous Radiation of a Living Fossil. Science 334 (6057): 796–799. doi: 10.1126/science.1209926.

Offord, c.A. (2011) Pushed to the limit: consequences of climate change for the Araucariaceae: a relictual rain forest family. Annals of Botany 108: 347–357.

Orel, G., Wilson, P.G., Curry, A.S. & Luu, H.T. (2012) Camellia inusitata (Theaceae), a distinctive new species and a new section (Bidoupia) from Vietnam. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 69: 347–355.

Papassotiriou, S.E., Jacobs, S.W.L. & Hellquist, C.B. (2011) Potamogetonaceae, in Flora of Australia Volume 39, Alismatales to Arales. ABRS/CSIRO Melbourne, Australia, pp 84–94.

Pócs, T., Brown, e.A., Cairns, A., Cargill, D.C. & Pócs, S. (2012) Contributions to the Bryoflora of Australia, III. The genus Nowellia Mitt. (Cephaloziaceae, Jungermanniopsida). Acta Biologica Plantarum Agriensis 2: 21–26.

Ramsay, e. (2011) Australian Mosses – new chromosome numbers and a compilation of chromosome data. Telopea 13: 577–619.

Renner, M.A.M. (2011) New records, range extensions and descriptions for some unfamiliar Australian Lejeuneaceae (Jungermanniopsida). Telopea 13: 563–576.

Renner, M.A.M. & Beadel, S.M. (2011) Taeniophyllum norfolkianum: a second genus of Vandeae (Orchidaceae) indigenous to New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 49: 435–439. doi.org/10.1080/0028825X.2011.580766.

Renner, M.A.M. & de Lange, P.J. (2011) Additions to the Lejeuneaceae flora of New Zealand: new species from the Kermadec Islands and range extensions of New Zealand species into the South Pacific. New Zealand Journal of Botany 49: 421–433.

Renner, M.A.M. & Pócs, T. (2011) Cololejeunea grossepapillosa (Lejeuneaceae: Jungermanniopsida), an inconspicuous species new for New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 49: 295–303. doi: 10.1080/0028825X.2010.548071.

Snow, N., McFadden, J., Salywon, A., Evans, T.M., Wojciechowski, M.F. & Wilson, P.G. (2011) Morphological and molecular evidence of polyphyly in Rhodomyrtus (Myrtaceae: Myrteae). Systematic Botany 36: 390–404.

Soderstrom, L., Hargborg, A., Pocs, T., Sass-Gyarmati, A., Brown, e., von Konrat, M. & Renner, M. (2011) Checklist of hornworts and liverworts of Fiji. Telopea 13: 405–454.

Sommerville, K., Pulkownik, A. & Burchett, M. (2011) Reproductive biology of a threatened Australian saltmarsh plant – Wilsonia backhousei. Aquatic Botany. doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2011.12.010.

Sparrius, L.B., Elix, J.A. & Archer, A.W. (2011) Typification of Austrographa. Australasian Lichenology 69: 11–29.

Summerell, B.A. & Leslie, J.F. (2011) Fifty years of Fusarium: how were 9 species ever enough? Fungal Diversity 50: 135–144.

Thornhill, A.H, Wilson, P.G., Drudge, J., Barrett, M.D., Hope, G.S., Craven, L.A. & Crisp, M.D. (2012) Pollen Morphology of the Myrtaceae Part 3: Tribes Chamelaucieae, Leptospermeae and Lindsayomyrteae. Australian Journal of Botany 60: 225–259.

Von Konrat, M., Naikatini, A., Tuiwawa, M., Soderstrom, L., Fife, A., Renner, M., Brownsey, P., Perrie, L., Hagborg, A., Pocs, T., Thorsten, H., Lumbsch, T., Braggins, J., Seneca, A. & Brown, e. (2011) A brief history of the crytopgams of Fiji and prospects for the future. Telopea 13: 361–619.

Wearn, J. & Mabberley, d.J. (2011) Clerodendrum confusion – redefinition of, and new perspectives for, a large Labiate genus. Gardens’ Bulletin, Singapore 63: 119–124.

Wearn, J. & Mabberley, d.J. (2011) Clerodendrum (Lamiaceae) in Borneo. Systematic Botany 36: 1050–1061.

Webber, B.L., Born, C., conn, B.J., Hadiah, J.T. & Zalamea, P-C. (2011). What is in a name? That which we call Cecropia peltata by any other name would be so invasive? Plant Ecology & Diversity 4: 289–293. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17550874.2011.610372.

General articles

Benson, J.S. (2012) NSW Vegetation Classification Strategy (Version 1). Part 1 Short Term Classification


of Eastern NSW (2012–2015); Part 2 Long Term Tasks to Improve and Maintain the NSW Classification. Native Vegetation Information Directorate, Office of Environment and Heritage, Sydney.

Benson, J.S. (2011) Vegetation classification and Mapping in NSW: some perspectives. NSW office of Environment and Heritage workshop on NSW Vegetation Mapping: Sydney.

Bourke, G. & Nunn, R. (2012) Australian Carnivorous Plants. Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole, ISBN: 978-1-908787-02-6.

Briggs, B.G. (2012) A wild west tale well told: the story of the Western Australian Herbarium. Australasian Systematic Botany Society Newsletter 150: 56–57.

Lee, C.C., Bourke, G., Taylor, W., Yeo, S.T. & Rembold, K. (2011) Nepenthes appendiculata, a new pitcher plant from Sarawak, in: McPherson, S.R. (ed.) New Nepenthes: Volume One. Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole, pp. 24–35.

Mabberley, d.J. (2011) Executive Director’s Report. The Gardens 91: 4.

Mabberley, d.J. (2012) Executive Director’s Report. The Gardens 92: 4.

Mabberley, d.J. (2012) A review of the Gardens. The Gardens 93: 4–5.

Mabberley, d.J. (2012) pp 120–121 in: Ainsworth, R. & Howell, C. (eds) St Catherine’s, Oxford: a pen portrait. Third Millennium, London.

McPherson, S., Bourke, G., Cervancia, J., Jaunzems, M., Gironella, E., Robinson, A. & Fleischmann, A. (2011) Nepenthes leonardoi (Nepenthaceae), a new pitcher plant species from Palawan, Philippines. Carniflora Australis 8: 4–19.

Weston, P.H. (2011) From the President. Australasian Systematic Botany Society Newsletter 149: 1–2.

Weston, P.H. (2011) ASBS President’s Report 2010-2011. Australasian Systematic Botany Society Newsletter 149: 4–7.

Weston, P.H. (2012) From the President. Australasian Systematic Botany Society Newsletter 150: 1–2.

Weston, P.H. (2012) New proposals to change ASBS rules. Australasian Systematic Botany Society Newsletter 150: 4–10.

Environmental managementThe Trust supports principles of ecological sustainable development and is committed to achieving best practice in environmental management in all of its operations, partnerships and programs. Under the Office of Environment and Heritage Sustainability Action Plan, the Trust has adopted targets and strategies to reduce its environmental footprint and to conserve water and energy across the whole organisation. The Trust also contributes through sharing information and analysis of its energy and water consumption and waste, recycling and purchasing data.

Water use

The highest recorded rainfall in 10 years, along with improved efficacy in fixing leaks across the site, contributed to a drastic reduction in potable water use at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. In contrast, the Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan increased its water usage as a result of the significant increase in visitation to the Garden.

Annual potable water use (kilolitres):

2011–12 2010–11 2009–10 2008–09


38,868 96,135 147,852 109,455


23,796 18,313 23,548 15,763

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah 1

n/A N/A N/A N/A

1 All water used at the BMBGMT is captured on-site.

energy consumption and cO2 emissions

Increased CO2 emissions from the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan reflect increases in the use of gas at the site as well as fuel consumption for maintenance purposes.

Annual electricity consumption (kWh):

2011–12 2010–11 2009–10 2008–09


2,217,431 2,151,262 1,896,805 1,909,450


596,852 596,196 545,264 544,547


191,415 207,415 187,429 206,387


Human resource informationIncreased CO2 emissions from the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan reflect increases in the use of gas at the site as well as fuel consumption for maintenance purposes.

Trends in the representation of EEO groups

% of total staff*

eeO group Benchmark / Target

30 June 2012

30 June 2011

30 June 2010

30 June 2009

Women 50.0 45.4 44.3 47 47.2

Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders

2.6 3.0 2.7 3.0 2.1

People whose first language is not English

19.0 6.6 4.7 6 6.2

People with a disability

N/A 5.6 5.0 6 6.7

People with a disability requiring a work-related adjustment

1.5 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3

* Excludes casual staff.

Trends in the distribution of EEO groups

Distribution Index* for total staff**

eeO group Benchmark 30 June 2012

30 June 2011

30 June 2010

30 June 2009

Women 100 105 109 106 108

Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders

100 n/A N/A N/A N/A

People whose first language is not English

100 97 N/A 94 N/A

People with a disability

100 n/A N/A N/A 100

People with a disability requiring a work-related adjustment

100 n/A N/A N/A N/A

* A Distribution Index of 100 indicates that the centre of the distribution of the EEO group across salary levels is equivalent to that of other staff. Values less than 100 mean that the EEO group tends to be more concentrated at lower salary levels than is the case for other staff. The more pronounced this tendency is, the lower the index will be. In some cases the index may be more than 100, indicating that the EEO group is less concentrated at lower salary levels. The Distribution Index is not calculated where EEO group or non-EEO group numbers are less than 20.

** Excludes casual staff.

Annual CO2 emissions (tonnes):

2011–12 2010–11 2009–10 2008–09

The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney1

2,343 2,269 1,978 2,038


613 581 532 531


187 202 183 201

1 CO2 emissions at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney and the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan include production from gas consumption

Work Health & SafetyThe Trust adheres to the policy and strategic direction set out by the Office of Environment and Heritage in its Occupational Health and Safety Policy (2011) and the Health and Safety Strategy 2011–13. The Trust’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) and Work Health and Safety (WHS) Committees at each site oversee the implementation of this strategy, which is set out under four key areas:

• Executive and senior management safety leadership

• Planning, accountability and governance

• Risk management of high consequence risks

• Creating a learning and innovative organisation

In 2011–12 the Trust, through SAG and the WHS Committees, has worked through a detailed WHS improvement plan to ensure safety concerns are addressed and identified risks are managed. WHS Committees have conducted regular checks of work areas and the reporting methodology for Worksafe Online was streamlined across all Trust sites, with emphasis placed on reporting ‘near misses’.

Of 154 incidents in 2011–12, 104 were investigated; all WorkCover incidents were investigated

Lost time injuries

2011–12 2010–11 2009–10 2008–09

Total 12 15 8 15

Average 1.00 1.25 0.67 1.25

Average frequency rate 41 22 14 29


Account payment performanceAge analysis at the end of each quarter

Quarter current ($’000)

Less than 30

days overdue

($’000)

Between 30 &

60 days overdue

($’000)

Between 60 &

90 days overdue

($’000)

More than 90

days overdue

($’000)

All suppliers

September 3,172 1,347 144 33 11

December 3,869 2,093 101 7 8

March 4,082 2,971 404 18 98

June 9,210 3,034 172 167 45

Small business suppliers

September 30 3 0 0 0

December 36 4 0 0 0

March 38 6 0 0 2

June 137 24 1 1 7

Accounts due or paid within each quarter

Measure Sept dec Mar Jun

All suppliers

Number of accounts due for payment

1,797 2,199 2,184 2,385

Number of accounts paid on time

1,739 2,123 2,052 2,224

Actual percentage of accounts paid on time (based on number of accounts)

97% 97% 94% 93%

Dollar amounts of accounts due for payment ($000)

4,707 6,078 7,573 12,629

Dollar amounts of accounts paid on time ($000)

4,519 5,962 7,053 12,244

Actual percentage of accounts paid on time (based on dollars)

96% 98% 93% 97%

Number of payments for interest on overdue accounts

0 0 0 0

Interest paid on overdue accounts

0 0 0 0

The Trust was not required to pay interest to creditors due to the late payment of accounts during the year, and will not implement any actions to improve performance.

Staffing Statistics

30 June 2012

30 June 2011

30 June 2010

30 June 2009

Horticulturists/rangers 151 151 145 146

Senior officers 5 4 4 3

Senior executive service 2 1 2 2

Other* 126 130 137 130

Total 284 286 288 281

The numbers reported are full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.

*Other includes building and mechanical trades staff, clerical staff, casual teachers, education officers, herbarium assistants, librarian, sales and information staff, scientific officers and technical officers.

Location of Officers

Location 30 June 2011

30 June 2011

30 June 2010

30 June 2009


190 196 193 191


56 37 39 35


38 53 56 55

Total 284 286 288 281

The numbers reported are full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.

exceptional movements in remuneration

In 2011–12 there were no exceptional movements in wages, salaries or allowances.

Grants to non-government community organisationsThe Trust provides an annual grant to the Hunter Regional Botanic Garden, funded through the Trust’s Botanic Gardens and Parks Service Group.

Recipient/ purpose of grant Amount

Hunter Region Botanic Gardens – Annual Grant Contribution to the management of a regional botanic garden

$50,000

Trustee’s disclosureThe Trust met on six occasions in 2011–12. There were no declarations of conflict of interest or gifts received from any member throughout the year.


Overseas travelname & Position countries/ cities

visitedPurpose of visit duration Total

costcost to

the TrustSource of other funds

Dr Alan Millar, Principal Research Scientist

Rhodes, Greece To attend the 5th European Phycological Congress

2–12 Sep. $4,100 Nil Allen Press, Kansas, U.S.A.

Dr Elizabeth Brown, Systematic Bryologist

Fiji To participate in a biodiversity assessment project to catalogue the moss and liverwort biodiversity of the terrestrial environment of the Fiji Islands

27 Aug.–14 Sep.

$6,100 Nil Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund

Dr Matthew Renner, Australian Biological Resources Study Postdoctoral Fellow

Fiji To participate in a biodiversity assessment project to catalogue the moss and liverwort biodiversity of the terrestrial environment of the Fiji Islands

27 Aug.–14 Sep.

$6,100 Nil Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund

Dr John Benson, Senior Research Scientist

Arles, France To participate in an international workshop organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature

16–28 Sep.

$4,000 Nil Ecosystem Department, Tour due Valat

Professor David Mabberley, Executive Director

San Francisco, USA

To accept the prestigious Robert Allerton Award for Excellence in Tropical Botany or Horticulture

16–21 Sep.

$3,500 Nil Allerton Award

Dr Alan Millar, Principal Research Scientist

Kobe, Japan To attend a workshop on genetic diversity of marine algae

19–23 Sep.

$2,300 Nil Japanese Scientific Trust

Dr Matthew Renner, Australian Biological Resources Study Postdoctoral Fellow

Boston, USA; London, UK & Geneva, Switzerland

To visit three major herbaria in Boston, London and Geneva that hold extensive liverwort collections made by Franz Stephani between 1842 and 1927 in order to complete his taxonomic research

25 Oct.– 18 Nov.

$8,060 Nil Privately funded

Karen Wilson, Senior Research Scientist

Chicago, USA To participate in an international workshop at the Field Museum and to examine specimens relevant to her other research projects in the family Cyperaceae in the herbarium of the Field Museum

23 Sep.– 3 Oct.

$3,000 Nil Privately funded

Leonie Stanberg, Curator Shenzhen & Guangxi, China

To attend the 9th International Cycad Conference and participate in the post-conference field trip

30 Nov.–16 Dec.

$7,355 Nil Friends of the Botanic Gardens

Dr Barry Conn, Principal Research Scientist

Port Moresby, Lae, Kamiali & Kiunga, Papua New Guinea

To lead the ‘Tree Keys of Papua New Guinea’ project

20 Feb.–16 Mar.

$20,000 Nil ACP-EU (FORENET) Forestry Network Program and grant from Mundango Abroad


Leiden, The Netherlands & London, UK

To deliver the annual (16th year) International M.Sc. Course in Economic Botany

7–22 June N/A Nil Privately funded


Philadelphia & Tampa, Florida, USA

To attend the annual meeting of the International Visiting Committee of Longwood Gardens as a member

To visit colleagues in Tampa, Florida, in connection with research work on citrus and its diseases

29 Apr.– 5 May

$10,462 Nil Longwood Gardens

Dr Dale Dixon, Manager Collections

Madrid, Spain; Paris, France; Edinburgh & London, UK

To attend Global Plants Initiative Digitisation Project annual five-day meeting

8–23 Apr. $3,500 $2,500 Mellon Foundation

Dr Brett Summerell, Deputy Executive Director, Science, Conservation and Education

Bari, Italy To participate in teaching a workshop on the fungus Fusarium organised by the Consiglio Nazionale delle Richerche, Bari, Italy

1–11 June $4,000 Nil Consiglio Nazionale delle Richerche


Botanic Garden, Sydney, very few complaints were received; just one commenting that the Opera was an inappropriate event for such a natural setting while two regular visitors criticised summer events for blocking access to the Garden. These issues were raised with the relevant decision-makers who will assess whether improvements can be made for similar future events.

Issues with infrastructure and services were brought to the Trust’s attention with just over 25 communications received. A new cleaning roster was implemented in response to negative comments about the cleanliness of toilets at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, while a water outage at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan caused inconvenience to a mothers’ group when an entire amenities block was closed without notification. Advice received from another visitor group to Mount Annan also resulted in technical services staff being called to repair barbecues. Management were also able to confirm that new barbecues are being installed at Mount Annan in response to the high demand from the increase in visitor numbers to the Garden since free entry was introduced in April 2011.

Graffiti at Mrs Macquaries Point at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney was cleaned immediately in response to notification received from a visitor. The inadequacy of signage in the Royal Botanic Garden was raised by five people, with two questioning the effectiveness of ‘no bicycle’ markers at the Garden’s entrances after visitors observed people riding bicycles. Another two complained of their difficulty in finding their way through the site due to poor route markers. The signage committee will be conducting a review of signage in the forthcoming year.

Parking fines were disputed by 13 people, some of whose complaints were upheld, resulting in the fines being quashed. Fines issued during the ANZAC Day dawn service resulted in three complaints and the Trust acted quickly to arrange for the cancellation of all fines inadvertently issued on that occasion.

Staff and services were commented on by 16 visitors to the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, including six staff receiving praise for their excellent service and only two complaints about staff. Two people expressed disappointment in the printed seasonal calendar being replaced by electronic information while one person complained about the quality of the shop.

Provision of information servicesGardens Shops & visitor centres

The Trust operates four combined visitor centres/shops at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan; the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah; the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney and the Sydney Tropical Centre in the Sydney Garden.

Inquiries for Plant Identification

The Plant Disease Diagnostic Unit received 250 requests for advice this year. This decrease in inquiry, particularly over the summer months, reflects the positive impact of wet weather, which means that plants are less drought-stressed and hence less prone to pests and disease.

The Botanical Information Service received just fewer than 3,000 inquiries this year — down slightly from 2010 –11 — 85 per cent of which were responded to within 20 working days.

Consumer response Some four million visits were recorded across the three Gardens of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust this year. Despite this large number of visitors, only 157 people provided feedback in writing, by phone or in person. Each enquiry and complaint is forwarded to the relevant supervisor or manager and an official response provided to the interested party. Wherever possible the Trust uses the feedback it receives to make improvements to its services, processes and facilities.

Concern over wildlife management at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney resulted in the Trust responding to 92 communications, the majority of which referred to the relocation of flying-foxes roosting in the Garden. Whilst the relocation has been approved at both State and Commonwealth levels since 2010, the Trust received a petition signed by 57 people from the University of Sydney to stop the relocation. A further 28 people complained or expressed concern about the relocation. In comparison, just two people expressed their support for the relocation while another requested help to relocate a local colony.

Of a combined total of more than 100,000 people who attended the Handa Opera, La Traviata, and the Open Air Cinema at Fleet Steps at the Royal


Government Information (Public Access) Act

Table A: Number of applications by type of applicant and outcome *

Access granted in

full

Access granted in

part

Access refused in

fullInformation

not held

Information already

available

Refuse to deal with

application

Refuse to confirm/

deny whether

information is held

Application withdrawn

Media 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Members of Parliament 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Private sector business 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

not for profit organisations or community groups

2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0

Members of the public (application by legal representative)

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Members of the public (other)

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

*More than one decision can be made in respect of a particular access application. If so, a recording must be made in relation to each such decision. This also applies to Table B.

Table B: Number of applications by type of applicant and outcome *

Access granted in

full

Access granted in

part

Access refused in

fullInformation

not held

Information already

availableRefuse to deal with

application

Refuse to confirm/

deny whether

information is held

Application withdrawn

Personal information applications*

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Access applications (other than personal information applications)

2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0

Access applications that are partly personal information applications and partly other

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

*A personal information application is an access application for personal information (as defined in clause 4 of Schedule 4 to the Act) about the applicant (the applicant being an individual).

The total number of decisions in Table B should be the same as Table A.

Table C: Invalid applications

Reason for invalidity number of applications

Application does not comply with formal requirements (section 41 of the Act) 0

Application is for excluded information of the agency (section 43 of the Act) 0

Application contravenes restraint order (section 110 of the Act) 0

Total number of invalid applications received 0

Invalid applications that subsequently became valid applications 0


Table D: Conclusive presumption of overriding public interest against disclosure: matters listed in Schedule 1 of the Act

number of times consideration used*

Overriding secrecy laws 0

cabinet information 0

executive council information 0

contempt 0

Legal professional privilege 1

excluded information 0

documents affecting law enforcement and public safety

0

Transport safety 0

Adoption 0

care and protection of children 0

Ministerial code of conduct 0

Aboriginal and environmental heritage

0

*More than one public interest consideration may apply in relation to a particular access application and, if so, each such consideration is to be recorded (but only once per application). This also applies in relation to Table E.

Table E: Other public interest considerations against disclosure: matters listed in the table to section 14 of the Act

number of occasions when application not

successful

Responsible and effective government

0

Law enforcement and security 0

Individual rights, judicial processes and natural justice

2

Business interests of agencies and other persons

0

environment, culture, economy and general matters

0

Secrecy provisions 0

exempt documents under interstate Freedom of Information legislation

0

*More than one public interest consideration may apply to a particular access application. Each such consideration must be recorded, but only once per application.

Table F: Timeliness

number of applications

decided within the statutory timeframe (20 days plus any extensions)

4

decided after 35 days (by agreement with applicant)

0

not decided within time (deemed refusal)

0

Total 4

Table G: Number of applications reviewed under Part 5 of the Act (by type of review and outcome)

decision varied

decision upheld Total

Internal review 0 0 0

Review by Information commissioner*

0 0 0

Internal review following recommendation under section 93 of Act

0 0 0

Review by AdT 0 0 0

Total 0 0 0

*The Information Commissioner does not have the authority to vary decisions, but can make recommendation to the original decision-maker. The data in this case indicates that a recommendation to vary or uphold the original decision has been made.

Table H: Applications for review under Part 5 of the Act (by type of applicant)

number of applications for review

Applications by access applicants 0

Applications by persons to whom information the subject of access application relates (see section 54 of the Act)

0

Consultanciesconsultancies equal to or more than $50,000

• Nil

consultancies less than $50,000• Total number and value of consultants less

than $50,000 is 17 at $139,000


• Plant pathology diagnostic service (02) 9231 8186

• Botanic Gardens Restaurant & café (02) 9241 2419

• Pavilion on the Park restaurant & café (02) 9232 1322

The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan Narellan Road, Mount Annan 2567 Ph (02) 4634 7900 Fax (02) 4634 7950

• Open all year round 10 am – 5 pm except Christmas Day

• Visitor Centre open 10 am – 4:30 pm Free guided tours most days, leaving from the Visitor Centre

• Education service (02) 4634 7930

• Melaleuca House Café (02) 4648 3318

• Weddings and venue hire (02) 4634 7903

• Macarthur Centre for Sustainable Living (02) 4647 9828

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah Bells Line of Rd, via Bilpin, NSW 2758 Ph (02) 4567 3000 Fax (02) 4567 2037

• Garden and Visitor Centre open all year round except Christmas Day 9 am – 5.30 pm Monday–Friday 9:30 am – 5:30 pm Saturday, Sunday & public holidays

• Free guided tours and Garden Shuttle, leaving from the Visitor Centre

• Garden Shop open 10:15 am – 4:45 pm (02) 4567 3010

• Waratah Education Centre

• World Heritage Exhibition Centre

• Weddings and venue hire (02) 4567 3000

• The Jungle Lodge accommodation (02) 4567 3019

• Restaurant Tomah (02) 4567 2060

This annual report and further information on the programs and services provided by the Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust can be found at www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

Corporate credit card useIn accordance with Treasurer’s Direction 205.01, it is certified that credit card usage by officers of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust has been in accordance with the appropriate government policy, Premier’s Memoranda and Treasurer’s Directions.

Major capital worksThe following table shows major capital works managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust in 2011–12:

Project

Total expenditure (to 30 June 2012)

$’000

estimated completion

date

Major new works

Yurong Precinct public amenities, RBGS

132 2012–13

Sydney Tropical Centre 172 2013–14

Major works in progress

Domain roads and pathways

4,287 2011–12

PlantBank 6,681 2012–13

Public amenities and BBQs, ABGMA

333 2013–14

TOTAL 11,605 —

There were no cost overruns in these projects. The PlantBank project was reprioritised to future year.

Access directoryTrust Head Office & The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney 2000 Ph (02) 9231 8111 Fax (02) 9251 4403

• Garden offices and reception 8.30 am – 5 pm Monday–Friday

• Red Box Gallery 10 am – 4 pm

• Garden Shop 9.30 am – 5 pm (closes at 4:30 pm during winter months) (02) 9231 8125

• Community education service (02) 9231 8134

• Free guided walks 10.30 am every day

• Botanical information service (02) 9231 8154

Section 4Financial Statements

Hakea salicifolia (seed)


Pursuant to Section 41C(1C) of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, I state that:

a) the accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Public Finance and Audit Act, 1983, the Financial Reporting Code for NSW General Government Sector Agencies, the Public Finance and Audit Regulations 2010 (as applicable), the Treasurer’s Directions, and applicable Australian Accounting Standards which include Australian Accounting Interpretations;

b) the statements exhibit a true and fair view of the Notes, and the financial position and transactions of the Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust; and

c) there are no circumstances that would render any particulars included in the financial statements to be misleading or inaccurate.

Mr Tom Pinzone Trustee Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust

Ms Vanessa Priest Trustee Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust

Date: 27 September 2012

Statement by Members of the Trust


Statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 30 June 2012

notes

Actual2012

$’000

Budget2012

$’000

Actual2011

$’000expenses excluding losses

Operating expenses: Personnel Services 2(a) 26,125 25,303 24,854 Other operating expenses 2(b) 12,226 12,019 12,831Depreciation and amortisation 2(c) 6,917 5,191 5,151Grants and subsidies 2(d) 51 52 82

Total expenses excluding losses 45,319 42,565 42,918

RevenueRecurrent appropriation 3(a) 0 0 19,914Capital appropriation 3(a) 0 0 8,274Sale of goods and services 3(b) 12,536 11,821 11,680Investment revenue 3(c) 195 122 182Retained taxes, fees and fines 3(d) 1,426 1,200 1,310Grants and contributions 3(e) 34,773 40,578 9,225Other revenue 3(f) 914 451 1,186

Total Revenue 49,844 54,172 51,771

Gain / (loss) on disposal 4 (115) 0 (101)

net result 16 4,410 11,607 8,752

Other comprehensive incomeNet increase / (decrease) in property, plant and equipment asset revalua-tion surplus 14,798 0 59,587

Total other comprehensive income for the year 14,798 0 59,587

TOTAL cOMPReHenSIve IncOMe FOR THe YeAR 19,208 11,607 68,339

[The accompanying notes form part of these statements]


Statement of financial position as at 30 June 2012

notes

Actual2012

$’000

Budget2012

$’000

Actual2011

$’000

ASSeTScurrent Assets

Cash and cash equivalents 6 5,381 2,777 2,493Receivables 7 942 809 881Inventories 8 164 216 216

Total current Assets 6,487 3,802 3,590

non current Assets

Property, plant and equipment- Land and building 265,664 257,277 247,211- Plant and equipment 5,251 5,334 5,034- Infrastructure systems 53,646 54,994 54,157- Collection assets 40,076 39,926 39,926

Total non-current Assets 9 364,637 357,531 346,328

Total Assets 371,124 361,333 349,918

LIABILITIeS current Liabilities

Payables 11 3,311 1,742 1,797Provisions 12 2,812 2,455 2,345

Total current Liabilities 6,123 4,197 4,142

non current Liabilities Provisions 12 43 24 26

Total non current Liabilities 43 24 26

Total Liabilities 6,166 4,221 4,168

net Assets 364,958 357,112 345,750

eQuITY

Reserves 204,266 189,238 189,483Accumulated funds 160,692 167,874 156,267

Total equity 364,958 357,112 345,750



Statement of changes in equity for the year ended 30 June 2012

notes

Accumulated Funds$’000

Asset Revaluation

Surplus$’000

Total$’000

Balance at 1 July 2011 156,267 189,483 345,750Changes in accounting policy 0 0 0Correction of errors 0 0 0Restated total equity at 1 July 2011 156,267 189,483 345,750

net result for the Year 4,410 0 4,410Other comprehensive income:Net increase / (decrease) in property, plant and equipment asset revaluation 0 14,798 14,798Transfer on disposal of assets 15 (15) 0Total other compehensive income 15 14,783 14,798

Total compehensive income for the year 4,425 14,783 19,208

Balance at 30 June 2012 160,692 204,266 364,958

Balance at 1 July 2010 147,477 129,934 277,411Changes in accounting policy 0 0 0Correction of errors 0 0 0Restated total equity at 1 July 2010 147,477 129,934 277,411

net result for the Year 8,752 0 8,752Other comprehensive income:Net increase / (decrease) in property, plant and equipment asset revaluation 0 59,587 59,587Transfer on disposal of assets 38 (38) 0Total other compehensive income 38 59,549 59,587

Total compehensive income for the year 8,790 59,549 68,339

Balance at 30 June 2011 156,267 189,483 345,750



Statement of cash flows for the year ended 30 June 2012

notes

Actual2012

$’000

Budget2012

$’000

Actual2011

$’000

cASH FLOWS FROM OPeRATInG AcTIvITIeSPayments

Employee related 0 (17) 0Grants and subsidies (51) (52) (82)Finance costs 0 0 0Other (inc Personnel Services) (37,483) (35,439) (37,705)

Total Payments (37,534) (35,508) (37,787)

ReceiptsRecurrent appropriation 0 0 19,914Capital appropriation 0 0 8,274Sale of goods and services 12,526 11,762 11,567Retained taxes, fees and fines 1,426 1,100 1,310Grants and Contributions 32,640 35,598 4,168Interest received 195 122 182Cash reimbursements from the Crown Entity 442 0 470Other 3,494 3,852 919

Total Receipts 50,723 52,434 46,804

neT cASH FLOWS FROM OPeRATInG AcTIvITIeS 16 13,189 16,926 9,017

cASH FLOW FROM InveSTInG AcTIvITIeSProceeds of sale of land and buildings, plant and equipment and infrastructure systems 42 0 21 Purchases of land and buildings, plant and equipment (10,343) (16,642) (9,451)

neT cASH FLOWS FROM InveSTInG AcTIvITIeS (10,301) (16,642) (9,430)

neT IncReASe / (decReASe) In cASH 2,888 284 (413)

Opening cash and cash equivalents 2,493 2,493 2,906cLOSInG cASH And cASH eQuIvALenTS 6 5,381 2,777 2,493



Service group statements for the year ended 30 June 2012

Service Group 1 * Service Group 2 * not Attributable ** Total2012 $000

2011 $000

2012 $000

2011 $000

2012 $000

2011 $000

2012 $000

2011 $000

TRuST’S eXPenSeS And IncOMeexpenses excluding lossesOperating expenses: - Personnel services 5,656 0 20,469 0 0 0 26,125 0 - Other Operating expenses 2,647 8,132 9,579 29,553 0 0 12,226 37,685Depreciation and amortisation 1,498 1,112 5,419 4,039 0 0 6,917 5,151Grants and subsidies 11 18 40 64 0 0 51 82Total expenses excluding losses 9,812 9,262 35,507 33,656 0 0 45,319 42,918

RevenueRecurrent appropriation 0 0 0 0 0 19,914 0 19,914Capital appropriation 0 0 0 0 0 8,274 0 8,274Sale of goods and services 2,714 1,368 9,822 10,312 0 0 12,536 11,680Investment income 42 21 153 161 0 0 195 182Retained taxes, fees and fines 309 153 1,117 1,157 0 0 1,426 1,310Grants and contributions 7,529 1,080 27,244 8,145 0 0 34,773 9,225Other revenue 198 139 716 1,047 0 0 914 1,186Total Retained Revenue 10,792 2,761 39,052 20,822 0 0 49,844 51,771

Gain / (Loss) on disposal of non current assets (25) (22) (90) (79) 0 0 (115) (101)Other gains / (losses) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0net result 955 (6,523) 3,455 (12,913) 0 0 4,410 8,752

Other comprehensive IncomeIncrease / (decrease) in asset revaluation reserve 3,204 6,978 11,594 52,609 0 0 14,798 59,587Total Other comprehensive Income 3,204 6,978 11,594 52,609 0 0 14,798 59,587TOTAL cOMPReHenSIve IncOMe 4,159 455 15,049 39,696 0 0 19,208 68,339

TRuST’S ASSeTS And LIABILITIeScurrent AssetsCash and cash equivalents 3,821 715 1,560 1,778 5,381 2,493Receivables 669 253 273 628 942 881Inventories 114 60 50 156 164 216Total current Assets 4,604 1,028 1,883 2,562 6,487 3,590

non current AssetsProperty, plant and equipment- Land and building 188,640 70,873 77,024 176,338 265,664 247,211- Plant and equipment 3,729 1,443 1,522 3,591 5,251 5,034- Infrastructure systems 38,092 15,526 15,554 38,631 53,646 54,157- Collection assets 28,457 11,446 11,619 28,480 40,076 39,926Total non-current Assets 258,918 99,288 105,719 247,040 364,637 346,328

Total Assets 263,522 100,316 107,602 249,602 371,124 349,918

current LiabilitiesPayables 2,351 515 960 1,282 3,311 1,797Provisions 1,997 672 815 1,673 2,812 2,345Total current Liabilities 4,348 1,187 1,775 2,955 6,123 4,142

non current LiabilitiesProvisions 31 7 12 19 43 26Total non current Liabilities 31 7 12 19 43 26

Total Liabilities 4,378 1,194 1,788 2,974 6,166 4,168

net Assets 259,144 99,122 105,814 246,628 364,958 345,750

* The names and purposes of each service group are summarised in Note 5.

** Appropriations are made on an agency basis and not to individual service groups. Consequently, Government Contributions are included in the ‘Not Attributable’ column.


Summary of compliance with financial directives

notes to the Summary of compliance with Financial directives The Summary of Compliance is based on the assumption that Consolidated Fund moneys are spent first (except where otherwise identified or prescribed). The Liability to Consolidated Fund is calculated as the difference between “Amount drawn down against Appropriation” and “Total Expenditure/Net Claim on Consolidated Fund”. From 2012 the Trust does not receive direct appropriation. Funding is received from Grants received from the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

2012 2011

Recurrent Appropriation

$’000

expenditure / net claim on consolidated

Fund$’000

capital Appropriation

$’000


Fund$’000

Recurrent Appropriation

$’000


Fund$’000

capital Appropriation

$’000


Fund$’000

ORIGInAL BudGeT APPROPRIATIOn / eXPendITuRe

- Appropriation Act 0 0 0 0 19,914 19,914 10,605 9,474

0 0 0 0 19,914 19,914 10,605 9,474

OTHeR APPROP’n / eXPendITuRe

S.45 Transfer to other Agency 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1,200) (1,200)

0 0 0 0 0 0 (1,200) (1,200)

Total Appropriations / expenditure / net claim on consolidated Fund (includes transfer payments) 0 0 0 0 19,914 19,914 9,405 8,274

Amount drawn down against Appropriation 0 0 19,914 8,274

Liability to consolidated Fund 0 0 0 0


1. SuMMARY OF SIGnIFIcAnT AccOunTInG POLIcIeS

(a) Reporting entityThe Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust (the Trust), is the reporting entity and is responsible for two service groups as outlined in Note 5.

The Trust is a NSW government Trust. The Trust is a not-for-profit entity (as profit is not its principal objective). The reporting entity is consolidated as part of the NSW Total State Sector Accounts.

This financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2012 has been authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on 27 September 2012.

(b) Basis of PreparationThe Trust’s financial statements are general purpose financial statements which has been prepared in accordance with:

* applicable Australian Accounting Standards (which include Australian Accounting Interpretations);

* the requirements of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 and Regulation;

* the Financial Reporting Directions published in the Financial Reporting Code for NSW General Government Sector Agencies or issued by the Treasurer.

Property, plant and equipment, assets (or disposal groups) held for sale and financial assets at ‘fair value through profit or loss’ and available for sale are measured at fair value. Other financial report items are prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention.

Judgements, key assumptions and estimations management as made are disclosed in the relevant notes to the financial report.

All amounts are rounded to the nearest one thousand dollars and are expressed in Australian currency.

(c) Statement of complianceThe financial statements and notes comply with Australian Accounting Standards, which include Australian Accounting Interpretations.

(d) Administered ActivitiesThe Trust does not administer or control any activities on behalf of the Crown Entity.

The accrual basis of accounting and applicable accounting standards have been adopted.

(e) Borrowing costsBorrowing costs are recognised as expenses in the period in which they are incurred, in accordance with Treasury’s mandate to general government sector agencies.

(f) InsuranceThe Trust’s insurance activities are conducted through the NSW Treasury Managed Fund Scheme of self insurance for Government agencies. The expense (premium) is determined by the Fund Manager based on past claim experience.

(g) Accounting for the Goods and Services Tax (GST)Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST, except where:

* the amount of GST incurred by the Trust as a purchaser that is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of an asset or as part of an item of expense.

* receivables and payables are stated with the amount of GST included.

Cash flows are included in the cash flow statement on a gross basis. However, the GST components of cash flows arising from investment and financing activities which is recoverable from, or payable to, the Australian Taxation Office are classified as operating cash flows.

(h) Income RecognitionIncome is measured at the fair value of the consideration or contribution received or receivable. Additional comments regarding the accounting policies for the recognition of income are discussed below.

(i) Parliamentary appropriations and contributions Parliamentary appropriations and contributions from other bodies (including grants and donations) are generally recognised as income when the Trust obtains control over the assets comprising the appropriations / contributions. Control over appropriations and contributions is normally obtained upon the receipt of cash.

Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Financial Year ended 30 June 2012


Unspent appropriations are recognised as liabilities rather than revenue, as the authority to spend the money lapses and the unspent amount must be repaid to the Consolidated Fund.

(ii) Sale of Goods Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised as revenue when the Trust transfers the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the assets.

(iii) Rendering of Services Revenue is recognised when the service is provided or by reference to the stage of completion (based on labour hours incurred to date).

(iv) Investment Income Interest revenue is recognised using the effective interest method as set out in AASB 139 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. Rental revenue is recognised in accordance with AASB 117 Leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

ASSeTS

(i) Acquisition of AssetsThe cost method of accounting is used for the initial recording of all acquisitions of assets controlled by the Trust. Cost is the amount of cash or cash equivalents paid or the fair value of the other consideration given to acquire the asset at the time of its acquisition or construction or, where applicable, the amount attributed to that asset when initially recognised in accordance with the requirements of other Australian Accounting Standards.

Assets acquired at no cost, or for nominal consideration, are initially recognised as assets and revenues at their fair value at the date of acquisition.

Fair value is the amount for which an asset could be exchanged between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm’s length transaction.

Where payment for an asset is deferred beyond normal credit terms, its cost is the cash price equivalent, i.e. the deferred payment amount is effectively discounted at an asset-specific rate.

(j) capitalisation ThresholdsProperty, plant and equipment and intangible assets costing $5,000 and above individually (or forming part of a network costing more than $5,000) are capitalised.

(k) Revaluation of Property, Plant and equipmentPhysical non-current assets are valued in accordance with the “Guidelines for the Valuation of Physical Non-Current Assets at Fair Value” (TPP 07-1). This policy adopts fair value in accordance with AASB 116 Property, Plant and Equipment and AASB 140 Investment Property.

Property, plant and equipment is measured on an existing use basis, where there are no feasible alternative uses in the existing natural, legal, financial and socio-political environment. However, in the limited circumstances where there are feasible alternative uses, assets are valued at their highest and best use.

Fair value of property, plant and equipment is determined based on the best available market evidence, including current market selling prices for the same or similar assets. Where there is no available market evidence, the asset’s fair value is measured at its market buying price, the best indicator of which is depreciated replacement cost.

The Trust revalues each class of property, plant and equipment at least every five years or with sufficient regularity to ensure that the carrying amount of each asset in the class does not differ materially from its fair value at reporting date.

Non-specialised assets with short useful lives are measured at depreciated historical cost, as a surrogate for fair value.

When revaluing non-current assets by reference to current prices for assets newer than those being valued (adjusted to reflect the present condition of the assets), the gross amount and the related accumulated depreciation are separately restated.

For other assets, any balances of accumulated depreciation at the revaluation date in respect of those assets is credited to the asset accounts to which they relate. The net asset accounts are then increased or decreased by the revaluation increments or decrements.

Revaluation increments are credited directly to the asset revaluation surplus, except that, to the extent that an increment reverses a revaluation decrement in respect of that asset previously recognised as an expense in the net result, the increment is recognised immediately as revenue in the net result.



Revaluation decrements are recognised immediately as expenses in the net result, except that, to the extent that a credit balance exists in the asset revaluation reserve in respect to the same class of assets, the decrements are debited directly to the asset revaluation surplus.

As a not-for-profit entity, revaluation increments and decrements are offset against one another within a class of non-current asset, but not otherwise.

Where an asset that has previously been revalued is disposed of, any balance remaining in the asset revaluation reserve in respect of that asset is transferred to accumulated funds.

Land, buildings, and infrastructure were valued in 2011 by NSW Land & Property Management Authority. The collection assets were valued in 2011 by RHAS Pty Ltd. Statutes and Monuments were valued in 2009 by RHAS Pty Ltd. Plant and Equipment assets were valued internally in 2011. In 2012 the Domain Car Park building was revalued and useful life reassessed as a result of capital works by the tenant using market rental income valuation methodology.

(l) Assets not able to be reliably measuredThe Trust holds certain assets that have not been recognised in the statement of financial position because the Trust is unable to measure reliably the value for the assets. The Herbarium collection, which forms part of the Collection Assets has a nil balance recorded in the Trust’s asset register. Consideration of the changing scientific value of the specimens over time, the unique collection event (in time and space) associated with each specimen, and the irreversible changes to the original habitat of most collection localities results in the Herbarium collection not being capable of a reliable valuation.

(m) Impairment of Property, Plant and equipmentAs a not-for-profit entity, the Trust is effectively exempted from AASB 136 Impairment of Assets and impairment testing. This is because AASB 136 modifies the recoverable amount test to the higher of fair value less costs to sell and depreciate replacement cost. This means that, for an asset already measured at fair value, impairment can only arise if selling costs are material. Selling costs are regarded as immaterial.

(n) depreciation of Property, Plant and equipmentExcept for a limited number of heritage assets, depreciation is provided for on a straight line basis

for all depreciable assets so as to write off the depreciable amount of each asset as it is consumed over its useful life to the Trust.

All material separately identifiable components of assets are depreciated over their shorter useful lives.

Land is not a depreciable asset. Certain heritage assets including original artworks and collections and heritage buildings may not have a limited useful life because appropriate curatorial and preservation policies are adopted. Such assets are not subject to depreciation. The decision not to recognise depreciation for these assets is reviewed annually.

Depreciable assets are depreciated from the date of acquisition.

depreciation Rates % RateBuilding 1.25% to 25%Infrastructure 1% to 10%Plant and equipment 10% to 25%

Collection Assets have not been depreciated.

(o) Major Inspection costsThe labour cost of performing major inspections for faults is recognised in the carrying amount of an asset as a replacement of a part, if the recognition criteria are satisfied.

(p) Restoration costsThe estimated cost of dismantling and removing an asset and restoring the site is included in the cost of an asset, to the extent it is recognised as a liability.

(q) Maintenance The costs of day-to-day servicing costs or maintenance are charged as expenses as incurred, except where they relate to the replacement of a component of an asset, in which case the costs are capitalised and depreciated.

(r) Leased AssetsA distinction is made between finance leases which effectively transfer from the lessor to the lessee substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to ownership of the leased assets, and operating leases under which the lessor effectively retains all such risks and benefits.

The leasing transactions of the Trust are restricted to operating leases of motor vehicles. Operating


lease payments are charged to the statement of comprehensive income in the periods in which they are incurred.

(s) Loans and receivablesLoans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. These financial assets are recognised initially at fair value, usually based on the transaction cost or face value. Subsequent measurement is at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less an allowance for any impairment of receivables. Any changes are accounted for in the statement of comprehensive income when impaired, derecognised or through the amortisation process.

Short-term receivables with no stated interest rate are measured at the original invoice amount where the effect of discounting is immaterial.

(t) InventoriesInventories held for distribution are stated at cost, adjusted when applicable, for any loss of service potential. A loss of service potential is identified and measured based on the existence of a current replacement cost that is lower than the carrying amount. Inventories (other than those held for distribution) are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is calculated using the weighted average cost. The cost of inventories acquired at no cost or for nominal consideration is the current replacement cost as at the date of acquisition. Current replacement cost is the cost the Trust would incur to acquire the asset. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

(u) Impairment of financial assetsAll financial assets, except those measured at fair value through profit and loss, are subject to an annual review for impairment. An allowance for impairment is established when there is objective evidence that the entity will not be able to collect all amounts due.

For financial assets carried at amortised cost, the amount of the allowance is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the effective interest rate. The amount of the impairment loss is recognised in the operating statement.

When an available for sale financial asset is impaired, the amount of the cumulative loss is removed from equity and recognised in the statement of comprehensive income, based on the difference between the acquisition cost (net of any principal repayment and amortisation) and current fair value, less any impairment loss previously recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

Any reversals of impairment losses are reversed through the statement of comprehensive income, where there is objective evidence, except reversals of impairment losses on an investment in an equity instrument classified as “available for sale” must be made through the reserve. Reversals of impairment losses of financial assets carried at amortised cost cannot result in a carrying amount that exceeds what the carrying amount would have been had there not been an impairment loss.

(v) Trust fundsThe entity receives monies in a trustee capacity for various trusts as set out in Note 17. As the entity performs only a custodial role in respect of these monies, and because the monies cannot be used for the achievement of the entity’s own objectives, these funds are not recognised in the financial statements.

LIABILITIeS

(w) PayablesThese amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Trust and other amounts including interest. Payables are recognised initially at fair value, usually based on the transaction cost or face value. Subsequent measurement is at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Short-term payables with no stated interest rate are measured at the original invoice amount where the effect of discounting is immaterial.

(x) employee benefits and Other Liabilities(i) Salaries and Wages, Annual Leave, Sick Leave

and On-Costs Liabilities for salaries and wages (including non-monetary benefits), annual leave and paid sick leave that fall due wholly within 12 months of the reporting date are recognised and measured in respect of employees’ services up to the reporting date at undiscounted amounts based on the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled. These amounts are payable to Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet.



Long-term annual leave that is not expected to be taken within twelve months is measured at present value in accordance with AASB 119 Employee Benefits. Market yields on government bonds are used to discount long-term annual leave.

Unused non-vesting sick leave does not give rise to a liability as it is not considered probable that sick leave taken in the future will be greater than the benefits accrued in the future.

The outstanding amounts for payroll tax, workers’ compensation insurance premiums and fringe benefits tax, which are consequential to employment, are recognised as liabilities and expenses where the employee benefits to which they relate have been recognised.

(ii) Long Service Leave and Superannuation The Trust’s liabilities for long service leave and defined benefit superannuation are assumed by the Crown Entity. The Trust accounts for the liability as having been extinguished resulting in the amount assumed being included as non-monetary revenue within the item described as Grants and Contributions.

Long service leave is measured at present value in accordance with AASB 119 Employee Benefits. This is based on the application of certain factors (specified in NSWTC 12/06) to employees with five or more years of service, using current rates of pay. These factors were determined based on an actuarial review to approximate present value.

The superannuation expense for the financial year is determined by using the formulae specified in the Treasurer’s Directions. The expense for certain superannuation schemes (i.e. Basic Benefit and First State Super) is calculated as a percentage of the employees’ salary. For other superannuation schemes (i.e. State Superannuation Scheme and State Authorities Superannuation Scheme), the expense is calculated as a multiple of the employees’ superannuation contributions.

(iii) Other Provisions Other provisions exist when the Trust has a present legal, or constructive obligation as a result of a past event; it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle

the obligation; and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

(y) equity and reserves(i) Revaluation surplus

The revaluation surplus is used to record increments and decrements on the revaluation of non-current assets. This accords with the agency’s policy on the revaluation of property, plant and equipment as discussed in Note 1(k).

(ii) Accumulated Funds The category accumulated funds includes all current and prior period retained funds.

(z) Budgeted AmountsThe budgeted amounts are drawn from the original budgeted financial statements presented to Parliament in respect of the reporting period, as adjusted for section 24 of the PFAA where there has been a transfer of functions between departments. Other amendments made to the budget are not reflected in the budgeted amounts.

(za) comparative InformationExcept when an Australian Accounting Standard permits or requires otherwise, comparative information is disclosed in respect of the previous period for all amounts reported in the financial statements.

(zb) new Australian Accounting Standards issued but not effective

The Trust has not applied new Australian Accounting Standards that have been issued but are not yet effective as at 30 June 2012.

There are no new Accounting Standards that the Trust considers having a material impact on the financial statements.

(zc) changes in Accounting estimates The Trust has adjusted the useful life assumptions for the Domain Car Park building in the 2011/12 financial year based on an independent valuation report. This change in accounting estimates has reduced the depreciation expense each year by approx $1.075 million.


Notes accompanying and forming part of the Financial Statements for the Financial Year ended 30 June 20122. eXPenSeS eXcLudInG LOSSeS

2012 $’000

2011 $’000

Personnel servicesPersonnel services 26,125 24,854

26,125 24,854

Personnel services are acquired from the Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet and the cost comprises:

Salaries and wages 20,719 19,938Superannuation entitlements 1,792 1,757Long service leave 1,826 1,154Workers compensation insurance 583 733Payroll and fringe benefits tax 1,205 1,272

26,125 24,854

(b) Other operating expenses

External audit 53 51Internal audit 31 47Bad debts 50 (2)Operating leases 233 245Insurance 401 380Advertising 163 171Consultants 151 262Legal fees 112 99Purchase of plant and equipment under $5,000 238 246Plant and equipment hire 215 228Cost of goods sold 664 654Stores and provisions 975 887Maintenance 2,891 3,028Energy 611 560Contractors 908 808Telephone and communication 98 118Cleaning and waste collection 1,244 1,159Books, printing and publications 256 358Travel 173 170Motor vehicle 185 232Rates 184 317Security 500 569Other 1,890 2,244

12,226 12,831

Maintenance Reconciliation:Maintenance expense, included above 2,891 3,028Maintenance related personnel servicesincluded in salaries and wages in Note 2(a) 8,621 8,202

Total maintenance expenses 11,512 11,230


2012 $’000

2011 $’000

(c) depreciation expense Buildings 3,551 2,367

Infrastructure 2,101 1,736Plant and equipment 1,265 1,048

6,917 5,151

(d) Grants and Subsidies NSW public sector agencies 1 2

Federal government agencies 0 30Other 50 50

51 82

The Trust provides free of charge horticultural services to the Historical Houses Trust of NSW to maintain Government House gardens and grounds, and a florist who develops flower arrangements for Government House functions. The total cost of support for 2012 was $626,016 (2011 $602,267).

3. RevenueS2012 $’000

2011 $’000

(a) Recurrent appropriationsRecurrent draw-downs from NSW Treasury (per Summary of compliance) 0 19,914Less: Liability to consolidated fund (per Summary of compliance) 0 0

0 19,914

Comprising:Recurrent appropriations (per Statement of comprehensive income) 0 19,914

0 19,914

capital appropriationsTotal capital draw-downs from NSW Treasury (per Summary of compliance) 0 8,274Less: Liability to consolidated fund (per Summary of Compliance) 0 0

0 8,274

Comprising:Capital appropriations (per Statement of comprehensive income) 0 8,274

0 8,274

(b) Sales of goods and servicesSale of goods:

Gross sales through the shops 1,579 1,592Rendering of service:

Rents 4,726 3,829Publications 4 7Fees received 6,170 5,901Admissions 57 336Other 0 15

12,536 11,680


2012 $’000

2011 $’000

(c) Investment revenue Interest 195 182

195 182

(d) Retained taxes, fees and finesParking 1,426 1,310

1,426 1,310

(e) Grants and contributions Grants and donations 2,695 2,683

Recurrent and Capital Grants 29,643 0Assets acquired free of charge 242 4,587Research grants 275 381Crown grant LSL and superannuation 1,918 1,574

34,773 9,225

Grant funding is received from the Department of Premier and Cabinet for operating and capital expenditure for $29.6m.

Research grants are applied to those areas of scientific endeavour sponsored by the grantor.

(f) Other Revenue Insurance recoveries 7 67

Cost recoveries and other non user charges 907 1,119914 1,186

The Trust received value-in-kind service from events clients during the year. Services include advertising, website links, and event tickets. The total estimated value for the value in kind service for 2012 was $443,300.

4. GAIn / (LOSS) On dISPOSAL

Proceeds from the sale of assets 42 21Written down value of assets disposed (157) (122)

Gain / (Loss) on disposal of assets (115) (101)

5. SeRvIce GROuPS OF THe TRuST

Service Group 1 - Science and Public ProgramsThis service group covers research of plant diversity cultivation and pathology, informing and contributing to policies relating to flora, vegetation and biodiversity; enhancing and maintaining the State collection of preserved plants and NSW Seedbank; designing and delivering plant related programs for specific visitor and outreach groups; and delivering volunteer programs to support Trust objectives.

Service Group 2 - Botanic Gardens and ParksThis service group covers managing, making accessible and interpreting the landscapes and living collections of plants in the botanic gardens; maintaining conservation collections; conserving and interpreting the Aboriginal and cultural heritage of the botanic gardens; and making Trust sites available for community events, commercial events, sport and recreation events.



6. cuRRenT ASSeTS - cASH And cASH eQuIvALenT

2012 $’000

2011 $’000

Cash at bank 3,019 500Petty cash 11 11At call deposits 2,351 1,982

5,381 2,493

For the purposes of the statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash at bank, cash on hand, and at call deposits.

Cash and cash equivalent assets recognised in the statement of financial position are reconciled at the end of the financial year to the Statement of Cash Flows as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents (per statement of financial position) 5,381 2,493Closing cash and cash equivalents (per Statement of cash flows) 5,381 2,493

7. cuRRenT ASSeTS - ReceIvABLeS

Debtors 237 227GST receivable from the Australian Taxation Office 531 359Prepayments 65 87

Accrued income 160 209993 882

Less: Allowance for impairment (51) (1)942 881

Movement in the allowance for impairmentBalance as at 1 July 1 4Amounts written off during the year 0 (1)Amounts recovered during the year 0 0Increase/(decrease) in allowancerecognised in profit or loss 50 (2)Balance at 30 June 51 1

8. cuRRenT ASSeTS - InvenTORIeS

Shop stock held for resale 164 216164 216


9. nOn-cuRRenT ASSeTS - PROPeRTY, PLAnT And eQuIPMenT

Land and Building

$’000

Plant and equipment

$’000

Infra-structure

$’000

collection Assets $’000

Total $’000

At 1 July 2011 - fair valueGross carrying amount 315,526 8,852 81,074 39,926 445,378Accumulated depreciation and impairment (68,315) (3,818) (26,917) 0 (99,050)Net Carrying amount 247,211 5,034 54,157 39,926 346,328

At 30 June 2012 - fair valueGross carrying amount 334,531 10,199 82,626 40,076 467,432Accumulated depreciation and impairment (68,867) (4,948) (28,980) 0 (102,795)Net Carrying amount 265,664 5,251 53,646 40,076 364,637

ReconciliationsA reconciliation of the carrying amount of each class of property, plant and equipment at the beginning and end of the current reporting period is set out below.

Year ended 30 June 2012Carrying amount at start of year 247,211 5,034 54,157 39,926 346,328Additions 7,256 1,267 1,913 150 10,586Disposals (50) (48) (60) 0 (158)Net revaluation increment 14,798 0 0 0 14,798Reclassification 0 263 (263) 0 0Depreciation expense (3,551) (1,265) (2,101) 0 (6,917)Carrying amount at end of year 265,664 5,251 53,646 40,076 364,637

At 1 July 2010 - fair valueGross carrying amount 212,097 6,464 43,932 33,304 295,797Accumulated depreciation and impairment (8,347) (2,883) (6,591) 0 (17,821)Net Carrying amount 203,750 3,581 37,341 33,304 277,976

At 30 June 2011 - fair valueGross carrying amount 315,526 8,852 81,074 39,926 445,378Accumulated depreciation and impairment (68,315) (3,818) (26,917) 0 (99,050)Net Carrying amount 247,211 5,034 54,157 39,926 346,328

ReconciliationsA reconciliation of the carrying amount of each class of property, plant and equipment at the beginning and end of the previous reporting period is set out below.

Year ended 30 June 2011Carrying amount at start of year 203,750 3,581 37,341 33,304 277,976Additions 1,172 1,696 6,544 4,626 14,038Disposals (83) (39) (122)Net revaluation increment 44,781 802 12,055 1,949 59,587Reclassification (42) 42 (47) 47 0Depreciation expense (2,367) (1,048) (1,736) 0 (5,151)Carrying amount at end of year 247,211 5,034 54,157 39,926 346,328



10. ReSTRIcTed ASSeTS2012 $’000

2011 $’000

Cosh bequest 466 446Swane bequest 29 28Webster bequest 123 118Rathborne bequest 0 4Slade bequest 223 0Research 8 27

849 623

Slade Bequest was transferred in 2012 from the Royal Botanic Gardens Foundation.These contributions are held in investments and are applied in accordance with the conditions on each contribution. The Cosh bequest is for the purpose of the National Herbarium of NSW. The Swane bequest is for the purpose of botany, horticulture, research, education, expeditions, statues, fountains and buildings at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. The Webster bequest is to be used for the National Herbarium of NSW. The Slade Bequest established to promote the harmony of mankind with the earth through the study and application of natural sciences. Research grants are applied to those areas of scientific endeavour sponsored by the grantors.

11. cuRRenT LIABILITIeS - PAYABLeS

Creditors 2,180 1,199Accrued salaries, wages and on-costs 462 364 Unearned revenue 669 234

3,311 1,797

12. cuRRenT / nOn cuRRenT LIABILITIeS - PROvISIOnS

employee benefits and related on-costs Recreation leave 1,901 1,755

Provision for Long Service Leave (on-cost) 596 318Payroll Tax on employee benefits 358 298

2,855 2,371Aggregate employee benefits and on-costsProvision - current 2,812 2,345Provision - non current 43 26

2,855 2,371

As a result of the Public Sector Employment Legislation Amendment Act 2006 the Provisions for Employee benefits and on-costs are payable to the Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet.

13. cOMMITMenTS FOR eXPendITuRe

(a) capital commitmentsAggregate capital expenditure for the acquisition of goods contracted for at balance date and not provided for:- Not later than one year 11,491 950- Later than one year, and not later than five years 142 128

Total (including GST) 11,633 1,078


2012 $’000

2011 $’000

(b) Operating lease commitmentsFuture non-cancellable operating lease rentals not provided for and payable:- Not later than one year 158 186- Later than one year, and not later than five years 144 111

Total (including GST) 302 297

The total commitments above includes input tax credits of $1,085,010 (2010-2011 $124,922) that are expected to be recoverable from the ATO.

14. cOnTInGenT LIABILITIeS And cOnTInGenT ASSeTS

The Trust is not aware of any contingent liabilities and / or contingent assets associated with its operations.

15. BudGeT RevIeW

net resultThe Net result of $4.4 million is $7.2 million less than the budget of $11.6 million. This is mainly due to Depreciation Expense $1.7 million above budget, and Grants and Contribution Revenue below budget by $5 million as a result of reprofiling Capital expenditure.

Assets and liabilitiesTotal Net Assets of $365 million is $8 million greater than budget mainly due to Cash and Cash Equivalent greater than budget by $2 million, Land and Building greater than budget by $8 million and payables greater by $1 million.

cash flowsClosing cash and cash equivalent of $5.4 million is $2.6 million more than budget of $2.8 million. This is mainly due to the reprofiling of the PlantBank Project to the next year.

16. RecOncILIATIOn OF cASH FLOWS FROM OPeRATInG AcTIvITIeS TO THe neT ReSuLT

2012 $’000

2011 $’000

Net cash used on operating activities 13,189 9,017Depreciation (6,917) (5,151)Allowance for impairment (50) 3Decrease / (increase) in provisions (484) 18Increase / (decrease) in receivables and other assets 111 417Decrease / (increase) in creditors (1,079) 112Decrease / (increase) in income received in advance (435) (62)Increase / (decrease) in inventory (52) (88)Assets received free of charge 242 4,587Net gain / (loss) on sale of plant and equipment (115) (101)

net result 4,410 8,752



17. TRuST FundS

The Trust received a bequest which is held in a Miscellaneous Trust Fund which is used for specific purposes as outlined in the bequest conditions. These monies are excluded from the financial statements as the Trust cannot use them for the achievement of its objectives. The following is a summary of the transactions in the trust account:

2012 $’000

2011 $’000

Cash balance at the beginning of the financial year 574 0 Add: Receipts 549 574 Less: Expenditure 0 0 Cash balance at the end of the financial year 1,123 574

18. FInAncIAL InSTRuMenTS

The Trust’s principal financial instruments are outlined below. These financial instruments arise directly from the Trust’s operations or are required to finance the Trust’s operations. The Trust does not enter into or trade financial instruments, including derivative financial instruments, for speculative purposes.

The Trust’s main risks arising from financial instruments are outlined below, together with the Trust’s objectives, policies and processes for measuring and managing risk. Further quantitative and qualitative disclosures are included throughout this financial report.

The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for the review of risk management and reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks. Risk management policies are established to identify and analyse the risks faced by the Trust, to set risk limits and controls and to monitor risks. Compliance with policies is reviewed by the Finance and Risk Management Committee on a continuous basis.

(a) Financial instrument categories

Financial Assets note category

carrying Amount

2012 $’000

carrying Amount

2011 $’000

class:Cash and cashequivalent 6 N/A 5,381 2,493Receivables1 7 Receivables (at amortised cost) 346 435

Financial Liabilities note category

carrying Amount

2012 $’000

carrying Amount

2011 $’000

class:

Payables2 11Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost 2,642 1,563

Notes1. Excludes statutory receivables and prepayments (i.e. not within scope of AASB 7).2. Excludes statutory payables and unearned revenue (i.e. not within scope of AASB 7).


(b) credit RiskCredit risk arises when there is the possibility of the Trust’s debtors defaulting on their contractual obligations, resulting in a financial loss to the Trust. The maximum exposure to credit risk is generally represented by the carrying amount of the financial assets (net of any allowance for impairment).

Credit risk arises from the financial assets of the Trust, including cash, receivables, and authority deposits. No collateral is held by the Trust. The Trust has not granted any financial guarantees.

Credit risk associated with the Trust’s financial assets, other than receivables, is managed through the selection of counterparties and establishment of minimum credit rating standards. Authority deposits held with NSW TCorp are guaranteed by the State.

Cash Cash comprises cash on hand and bank balances with Westpac Banking Corporation and TCorp. Interest is earned on daily bank balances at the monthly average NSW Treasury Corporation (TCorp) 11am unofficial cash rate, adjusted for a management fee to NSW Treasury.

Accounts Receivable - Trade DebtorsAll trade debtors are recognised as amounts receivable at balance date. Collectability of trade debtors is reviewed on an ongoing basis. Procedures as established in the Treasurer’s Directions are followed to recover outstanding amounts, including letters of demand. Debts which are known to be uncollectible are written off. An allowance for impairment is raised when there is objective evidence that the entity will not be able to collect all amounts due. This evidence includes past experience, and current and expected changes in economic conditions and debtor credit ratings. No interest is earned on trade debtors. Sales are made on a 30 day term.

The Trust is not materially exposed to concentrations of credit risk to a single trade debtor or group of debtors. Based on past experience, debtors that are not past due (2012: $124k; 2011: $144k) and less than 6 months past due (2012: $45; 2011: $47k) are not considered impaired. Together, these represent 75% of the total trade debtors.

The only financial assets that are past due or impaired are ‘sales of goods and services’ in the ‘receivables’ category of the statement of financial position.

Total $’000

Past due not impaired

$’000

considered impaired

$’000

2012< 3 months overdue 45 45 0 3 months – 6 months overdue 5 4 1 > 6 months overdue 50 0 50

2011< 3 months overdue 47 47 0 3 months – 6 months overdue 16 15 1 > 6 months overdue 0 0 0

Authority DepositsThe Trust has placed funds on deposit with TCorp, which has been rated “AAA” by Standard and Poor’s. These deposits are similar to money market or bank deposits and can be placed “at call” or for a fixed term. For fixed term deposits, the interest rate payable by TCorp is negotiated initially and is fixed for the term of the deposit, while the interest rate payable on at call deposits can vary. None of these assets are past due or impaired.



2012 carrying Amount

$’000

2012 net Fair

value $’000

2011 carrying Amount

$’000

2011 net Fair

value $’000

At call 2,351 2,351 1,982 1,982Less than one year 0 0 0 0 One to five years 0 0 0 0 Greater than five years 0 0 0 0 Total 2,351 2,351 1,982 1,982

The deposits at balance date were earning an average interest rate of 3.45%, while over the year the weighted average interest rate was 4.28%.

(c) Liquidity RiskLiquidity risk is the risk that the Trust will be unable to meet its payment obligations when they fall due. The Trust continuously manages risk through monitoring future cash flows and maturities planning to ensure adequate holding of high quality liquid assets. The objective is to maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of overdrafts, loans and other advances.

During the current and prior years, there were no defaults or breaches on any loans payable. No assets have been pledged as collateral. The Trust’s exposure to liquidity risk is deemed insignificant based on prior periods’ data and current assessment of risk.

The liabilities are recognised for amounts due to be paid in the future for goods or services received, whether or not invoiced. Amounts owing to suppliers (which are unsecured) are settled in accordance with the policy set out in NSW TC 11/12. For small business suppliers, where terms are not specified, payment is made not later than 30 days from date of receipt of a correctly rendered invoice. For other suppliers, if trade terms are not specified, payment is made no later than the end of the month following the month in which an invoice or a statement is received. For small business suppliers, where payment is not made within the specified time period, simple interest must be paid automatically unless an existing contract specifies otherwise.

(d) Market RiskMarket risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. The Trust’s exposures to market risk are primarily through interest rate risk on the Trust’s deposits with TCorp. The Trust has no exposure to foreign currency risk and does not enter into commodity contracts.

The effect on profit and equity due to a reasonably possible change in risk variable is outlined in the information below, for interest rate risk and other price risk. A reasonably possible change in risk variable has been determined after taking into account the economic environment in which the Trust operates and the time frame for the assessment (i.e. until the end of the next annual reporting period). The sensitivity analysis is based on risk exposures in existence at the balance sheet date. The analysis is performed on the same basis for 2011 The analysis assumes that all other variables remain constant.

Interest Rate riskExposure to interest rate risk arises primarily through the Trust’s interest bearing liabilities. This risk is minimised by undertaking mainly fixed rate borrowings, primarily with NSW TCorp. The Trust does not account for any fixed rate financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss or as available-for-sale. Therefore, for these financial instruments, a change in interest rates would not affect profit or loss or equity. A reasonably possible change of +/- 1% is used, consistent with current trends in interest rates. The basis will be reviewed annually and amended where there is a structural change in the level of interest rate volatility. The Trust’s exposure to interest rate risk is set out below.


$’000 $’000

Carrying Amount

-1% +1%

Profit Equity Profit Equity

2012Financial Assets

Cash 2,351 (24) (24) 24 24

2011Financial Assets

Cash 1,982 (20) (20) 20 20

19. AFTeR BALAnce dATe evenTSThere are no events subsequent to balance date which affect the financial report.

(end OF AudITed FInAncIAL STATeMenTS)



Access Directory ..........................................................48

Account Payment Performance ...................................43

Achievements ..............................................................10

Aims and Objectives of Trust .........................................6

Annual Report Costs ............................ Inside front cover

Appendices .................................................................30

Asia-Pacific Capacity Building Action Plan ..................35

Chairman & Executive Director’s Report .......................5

Charter and Legislation .................................................6

Community Support ....................................................16

Consultancies ..............................................................47

Consumer Response ....................................................45

Corporate Credit Card Use .........................................48

Corporate Governance ................................................25

Delivering our Vision .....................................................6

Environmental Management ......................................41

Executive .....................................................................28

Financial Statements ...................................................50

Financial Support .........................................................20

Friends of the Botanic Gardens ...................................17

Gardens Shops and Visitor Centres .............................45

Global Strategy for Plant Conservation .......................30

Government Information (Public Access) ....................46

Grant Funding .............................................................43

Human Resource Information ......................................42

Internal Audit and Risk Management ..........................26

Legislative Changes ....................................................25

Letter to the Minister .....................................................2

Major Capital Works ....................................................48

Organisation Structure ................................................29

Our Organisation ...........................................................6

Overseas Travel ...........................................................44

Performance Snapshot ..................................................4

Provision of Information Services ................................45

Publications .................................................................37

Research Grants ...........................................................36

Statement of Compliance ..............................................2

Trustees .......................................................................27

Trustees’ Disclosure .....................................................43

Volunteers ....................................................................16

Work Health and Safety ...............................................42

Index

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