Construction
has started on a new covered verandah for the café in the iconic Tea House
building within the Geelong Botanic Gardens.
Funded via the Federal Government's Local Roads and Community
Infrastructure program, the café
extension will provide customers a comfortable sheltered outdoor space to dine
in.
Heritage
Victoria issued the planning permit as Geelong Botanic Gardens and Eastern Park
is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register with State Significance.
Prior to plans
being submitted to Heritage Victoria, an x-ray of the ground was conducted to
survey the tree root systems and ensure the new structure would avoid
disturbing tree roots.
The café, known
as WYM (Where You Meet), is located in the heart of the Geelong Botanic Gardens
and offers a delightful space for friends and family to gather and enjoy a
coffee as well as a variety of lunch delicacies and locally sourced treats.
Greater Geelong
Mayor Trent Sullivan
The Geelong Botanic Gardens is one of the
region’s most beautiful green spaces and I encourage everyone to explore the
trails and enjoy a visit to the café.
Eastern Park
and the Botanic Gardens have significant historical importance for the
state of Victoria.
The new café
verandah will provide covered outdoor seating for customers, making WYM an even
more enjoyable place to meet and relax in the gardens.
Geelong based
construction company TRAK Constructions has been engaged to complete the
project.
Spanning 3.6
hectares, the Geelong Botanic Gardens feature intensely cultivated spaces
dominated by mature 19th-century tree plantings, including rare exotic species
alongside more recent additions.
The fourth
oldest botanic garden in Australia, the gardens are home to some of the finest
examples of trees in Victoria, many of which are listed on the National Trust
of Australia (Victoria) Register of Significant Trees.
Councillor Eddy
Kontlelj, Chair of the Active Spaces portfolio
The gardens have evolved
and developed over time and offer something for everyone to enjoy.
Free guided
tours from The Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens are available to take you
through the gardens' rich history, including original heritage buildings and
significant tree collections.
It serves as a
vital green space for the community, offering a peaceful environment to explore
and learn about botanical history and conservation.
Entry to the
Geelong Botanic Gardens is free and it is open every day of the year from 8am
to 5pm (8am to 7pm during Daylight Savings hours).
WYM cafe will
operate regular trading hours throughout the construction works.
For more
information visit the Geelong Botanic Gardens website.