The public had its first glimpse of the State’s new Herbarium today, with the NSW Government unveiling concept designs for the building which will house more than 1.4 million plant specimens.
The precinct where the Herbarium will be built at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan will be known as the Australian Institute of Botanic Science, bringing a world-class science hub to South-West Sydney.
Inspiration for the Herbarium has been drawn from the seed pod of NSW’s floral emblem, the iconic waratah.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the Government had allocated $27 million in the 2019-20 NSW Budget, to allow work to begin on the $60 million project early in 2020.
“The Herbarium houses one of the most important and significant collections of plant specimens in the world, and this purpose-built facility will ensure Australia is at the forefront of conservation and management for generations to come,” he said.
“This is a lot more than just seed funding for this project, we are ensuring the NSW Government delivers a world class facility for Western Sydney.”
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the Herbarium, which is being relocated from its current home at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, includes specimens include those collected by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander on Captain Cook’s first voyage to the Pacific in 1770.
“The Australian Institute of Botanic Science will include the new National Herbarium of NSW, to be built next to the award-winning Australian Plantbank,” Mr Stokes said.
“The Australian Botanic Garden in Mount Annan was once a cow paddock, but has gradually been transformed into one of Sydney’s most-loved public spaces.”
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