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Australian National Botanic Gardens
Growing, studying and promoting Australian plants

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GPO Box 1777
Canberra ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA

Telephone (02) 6250 9546
Facsimile (02) 62509599
Media enquiries: Paul Ziesing (M) 0418 955 661

NEWS RELEASE

Botanic Gardens has something new to Hyde

Sandstone from the new tunnel beneath Hyde Park in Sydney is part of a new redevelopment at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra.

The Botanic Gardens has received over 35 tonnes of sandstone removed from the tunnel construction beneath Sydney's Hyde Park. The sandstone material will be used to redevelop part of the Rock Garden designated for plants from the southeastern Australian sandstone region.

Horticulturists at the Botanic Gardens developed the project, which has been successfully pioneered at the Mount Annan Botanic Gardens, in western Sydney, and the Olympic site at Homebush.

"This is an excellent example of using a recycled material to construct an effective and interesting landscape," said Director, Mr Robin Nielsen. "It demonstrates a genuinely innovative use of sustainable materials and methods at Australia's national garden in the Year of the Built Environment" Mr Nielsen added.

The sandstone material has a number of horticultural advantages over conventional organic mulches as it is self-mulching, does not break down or change consistency and discourages the build up of pests and diseases. It is particularly effective in shady areas because its light colour highlights the foliage of many small plants.

The Rock Garden at the Botanic Gardens was built in 1980 using boulders excavated during the construction of the Tuggeranong Parkway. It was extended in 2002 using Black Mountain sandstone and granite boulders from Harcourt Hill.

Media contact: Paul Ziesing
Communications Officer
(02) 6250 9546
0418 955 661
paul.ziesing@deh.gov.au

10 June 2004