Background
On 16 August 2023, Council resolved to exhibit a draft Plan of Management for Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens. In accordance with s38 of the Local Government Act, the draft Plan of Management was placed on public exhibition during September - October 2023.
A Plan of Management is a public document that sets out how community land is to be used, improved, managed, and maintained. Council develops Plans of Management under the Local Government Act 1993 and assigns one or more category to the land which will govern how the land can be used
Community Engagement
The community has had opportunity to have input into the preparation of this draft POM. The community engagement to inform the preparation of the draft POM took place via:
- An on-site meeting with key representatives of Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens Inc management board on 21 February 2023.
- Online community survey through Your Say Wingecarribee from 3 April 2023 to 1 May 2023.
This feedback identified the values, management and land use issues and opportunities. These values, issues and opportunities form the basis for management of the POM. A summary of the feedback can be accessed in the document library to the right of this page.
The PoM was developed in accordance with the public exhibition requirements of the Local Government Act and was placed on public exhibition. Submissions were invited from the community during September - October 2023.
In addition, Council held a public hearing on 13 September 2023 in respect of this draft Plan of Management, as the proposed draft POM is altering the categorisation of community land under section 36(4) under the Local Government Act. The Public Hearing report can be viewed in the document library to the right of this page.
The final PoM was successfully presented to Council for endorsement at its meeting on 15 November 2023. A copy of this can be accessed in the document library to the right of this page.
