Page 293 - Week 01 - Thursday, 27 February 2014
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The arboretum runs events and activities to coincide with significant events in the territory, including Floriade and the 2013 centenary celebrations as well as the family festival that coincided with the opening of the children’s pod playground. Examples of other activities held at the arboretum include educational and school holiday activities, self-guided walks through the forest, free guided walks and talks in and around the village centre, and specialised talks presented by the Friends of the National Arboretum Canberra.
The arboretum is also contributing to the protection of tree species and tree diversity worldwide as well as generating new research opportunities and understanding about how trees grow, survive and adapt.
The arboretum has become a popular meeting ground for a diverse range of groups, including recreational groups, horse riders, artists, photographers, mothers groups, car enthusiasts and those with an interest in horticulture and botany.
At the heart of the arboretum is the village centre, with its panoramic views over Canberra, Lake Burley Griffin and beyond. The centre houses a range of interactive displays, the arboretum gift shop, the Sprout Café and the Conservatory Restaurant.
The opening of the pod playground expanded the arboretum’s market reach considerably. On any day you go there, whether it is a working day or, when it reaches its peak, it is the weekend, there are hundreds of children using the playground. Over 800 children used the playground within the first hour of its opening, and it continues to be one of the most popular areas of the arboretum.
The Margaret Whitlam Pavilion, opening in May 2013, has given Canberrans a new and unique venue to host events and provides an alternative to the large village centre as an intimate event space to cater for smaller events.
The arboretum is becoming a preferred venue for events and functions celebrating the territory, especially those of particular significance. The Australian citizenship ceremony and the Australian of the Year event were at the arboretum. Over 10,000 people have attended an event at the village centre so far.
Overwhelmingly, the arboretum’s first year has been an incredible success. It is a success beyond what we had imagined and hoped for. The first year celebrations will be held to coincide with Canberra’s 101st birthday, in the second week of March, on Saturday, 8 March, when there will be a range of different activities, particularly for families to come and celebrate the very successful first birthday of the National Arboretum Canberra.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, can you outline the impact the arboretum has had in terms of our tourism and the local economy?
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