Time to cry ‘timber’ on fernery

DEMOLITION works have begun on the current Ballarat Botanical Gardens’ fernery to make way for its redevelopment.

A new structure, designed by heritage architect, Andrew Fedorowicz, will then be built by Resi Care in the style of the site’s original gothic fernery.

Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens Committee Member, Elizabeth Gilfillan said the group is “thrilled to bits” to see some action for the long-term project.

“It’s exciting. We’re very, very relieved that it’s starting,” she said. “It’s another point of interest and another draw card, not only for the locals but for many people from elsewhere.”

The City of Ballarat is contributing $1.4 million to the project which should be completed by the end of the year, and Mayor, Cr Samantha McIntosh said the fernery is part of protecting Ballarat’s beauty.

“We know the foundations are still here of this gorgeous old gothic fernery. We have the original architectural plans of the timber structure and the steel version,” she said.

“We’ve worked very closely with the Friends of the Gardens over the years to make sure that we’re taking into consideration the views of many hundreds of people.

“We’ve been working very closely with National Trust and Heritage Victoria to do the best that we possibly can to reflect our past history, and to make sure that’s part of this beautiful future for Ballarat as we’re growing,” Cr McIntosh said.

“We need to make sure that we’re planting seed that’s a great education tool for young people that will look after Ballarat into the future.”