Friends of the Botanic Gardens Photography Competition

The Botanic Gardens are the perfect location to try your skills at plant photography.  Trees, birds, flowers, leaves and landscape are just a few of the great subjects that make an amateur photographers visit to the gardens worthwhile.

The Friends of Gold Coast Botanic Gardens are holding a members only photography competition to create a file of images that can be used to promote the Gardens.  The best images will be included in the Friends 2014 Botanic Gardens Calendar.  Photographers will be acknowledged.

Check out the Friends website for details click here, email info@friendsgcrbg.org.au or call in at the Friends Centre.

Competition entry is for Friends members only, so non-members might consider this is the right time to support the Gardens by becoming a Friend.

Storm Season Update

Unfortunately we lost over 100 trees particularly along the Gum Tree Corridor where winds were strongest.  The majority of these trees were between 2 to 4 years old and were planted by the community, however we will endeavour to replace the lost trees as soon as possible.

There has been some flooding in the dog-off leash area at the western end of the gardens and we remind all visitors to avoid crossing any flooded footpaths and to take care after flood waters recede on slippery paths.

The maintenance team and our Friends volunteers have been working hard to tidy up so a big thank you to all those who have helped out.  After the clean up and a big drink of rain, we hope that the gardens will be looking better than ever!

Salvinia Management Program

Council is trialing an integrated pest management program to manage salvinia in the Botanic Gardens lake, using a biological control agent, the salvinia weevil.  Salvina (Salvinia Molesta) is a free-floating aquatic fern and is declared noxious plant in Australia.  It can double in size within a week and rapidly form mats that completely cover lake systems, damaging water quality and causing a safety hazard.

Over the past year, the weevil has been successful in clearing salvina from other Council lakes including Lake Orpheus in Robina and Aqua Promenade in Currumbin.  However, the salvinia weevil can take several months to become established, particularly in a large area.  To assist, Council has cordoned a section of the lake, west of the causeway, to encourage the weevil to establish.  Other areas are being managed through a combination of spraying and harvesting.  As the weevil becomes established, Council will relocate weevil-infested plants to other plants to other parts of the lake.

Regular events

Friends Gardens Maintenance Morning
Every Wednesday from October to March, 6.30am to 9am. Every Wednesday from April to September, 7.30am to 9am.   Meet at the Friends' Centre.  For further information about planting days, guided walks or joining the Friends, please visit fgcbg.org.au or phone 0449 561 674.

Fit and fabulous for the over 50’s
Join this fun, motivating, friendly group training session for the over 50s. Improve your posture, balance and strength with this gentle group exercise session. Great for helping to prevent falls. Meeting every Tuesday at 9am. Just $2 per class – contact Hands on PT on 0432 692 131 for further information.

Tai chi
Join this free class, great for creating strength and health, with emphasis on body alignment, relaxation and slow movement. Qualified instructor Brad will guide you through gentle movements for relaxation. Meet on Tuesdays or Fridays at 8.30am. Contact Brad for further information on 0418 757 539.

 For further information on the amazing Gardens visit: