Our organisation

The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust is a statutory body established under the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Act 1980. The Trust is responsible for the management and stewardship of The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, The Domain, The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan and The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah.

According to a 2018 report from Deloitte Access Economics, the Trust contributes around $140 million to the NSW economy each year, supports more than 1,100 jobs and contribute more than $180 million in social and cultural contributions annually. The Board of Trustees is appointed by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces.

The Trust is responsible for the management and stewardship of:

The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is Australia’s oldest living scientific institution, beginning its life in 1816. The Garden encompasses 30 hectares and is the oldest botanic garden in Australia, home to an outstanding collection of more than 27,000 plants from around the world. Attracting more than five million visits each year, the Garden is one of the top ten most visited destinations in Australia for international visitors and was named NSW’s Major Tourist Attraction of the Year for the last two year’s running at the NSW Tourism Awards. As well as hosting an engaging program of events such as Vivid and New Year’s Eve, the Garden is a national leader in digital and public engagement.
The Domain encompasses 34 hectares of urban parkland wraps around the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. It is endowed with significant natural and cultural heritage values and plays a central role in Sydney’s festivals and cultural events, as well as the recreational and sporting pursuits of city workers and residents.
The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan showcases the enormous diversity of Australian flora. Covering 416 hectares between Camden and Campbelltown in Sydney’s south-west, it is Australia’s largest botanic garden. The Trust’s plant conservation research facilities are based at the Garden, including the award-winning Australian PlantBank which houses the New South Wales Seedbank. The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan will become the new home of the National Herbarium of NSW. The new Australian Institute of Botanic Science will also be anchored by the Australian Plantbank – positioning NSW as a global leader in botanic sciences. The Australian Institute of Botanic Science will focus on providing solutions to issues such as food security and climate change, as well as providing jobs and educational opportunities, within this major recreational space for the rapidly growing Macarthur region.
The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah is situated 1,000 metres above sea level in the World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains. It features 28 hectares of manicured gardens showcasing cool climate plants from around the world. Botanic Gardens & Centennial Parklands is leading a strategy to increase tourism and overnight stays from Richmond through to Lithgow, Bathurst and beyond, working closely with Destination NSW, local councils and businesses.

The administrative staff of the Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust are integrated with the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust, and the integrated entity is known as 'Botanic Gardens & Centennial Parklands'.

With more than 350 staff, BGCP is NSW’s largest state urban parks manager, Australia’s oldest scientific institution, and one of the country’s leading international tourism businesses. BGCP brings together a world-leading staff with expertise in the fields of science, horticulture, public space activation, visitor experience, digital engagement, tourism, planning, major project delivery, commercial investment, sustainable resource and asset management, sport and recreation.

Please note: in order to comply with current NSW Government requirements, we only print a limited number of hard copy Annual Reports each year for accessibility and research purposes. If you would like a hard copy, you can order this by:

•   Visiting the reception on Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
•   Phoning on (02) 9231 8111
•   Emailing at feedback@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

Accessibility

We are committed to providing information in an accessible format. If you have any accessibility issues regarding access to the Annual Report please contact the Trust directly to discuss your particular needs.

Trust and Trustees

The Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust is a statutory body established by the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Act 1980. The Act was amended in 1983 to increase the number of Trustees from five to seven, and in 1985 to vest additional land in the Trust. The legislation defines the powers, authorities, duties and functions of the Trust and vests certain land and property in the Trust. It also governs the Regulations relating to all three Gardens and the Domain.

Trust objectives

To maintain and improve Trust lands, the National Herbarium of New South Wales and the collections of living and preserved plant life owned by the Trust
To increase and disseminate knowledge about the plant life of Australia, and of New South Wales in particular
To encourage the public use and enjoyment of Trust lands by promoting and increasing the educational, historical, cultural and recreational value of these lands.

Chairperson

Philip Marcus Clark AO

Appointed: 31 July 2018
Position Expiry: 10 July 2021

Philip is a member of the J P Morgan Advisory Council. He was Managing Partner and CEO of Minter Ellison and worked with that firm from 1995 until June 2005. Prior to joining Minter Ellison, Philip was Director and Head of Corporate with ABN Amro Australia and prior to that he was Managing Partner of Mallesons Stephen Jaques for 16 years. Philip now serves on a number of boards and advisory boards. His current roles include chairing SCA Property Group (SCP) and NSW Skills Board. Philip has been active in the innovation and research sectors and recently retired as Chair of the CRC Advisory Committee. Philip has also worked with various organisations in the not-for-profit sector. He was appointed as a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia in 2007 for his contribution to the development of national law firms and encouraging corporate involvement in community programs

Other Trustees

Professor Michelle Leishman

Appointed: 21 December 2016
Position Expiry: 31 June 2021

Michelle is an internationally recognised scientist with research interests in plant ecology, plant conservation biology, climate change adaptation and urban greening. She was previously the Chair of the NSW Scientific Committee and currently serves as a Councillor of the Australian Flora Foundation, Director of Bush Heritage and Deputy Director of the Biodiversity Node of the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Adaptation Hub. She is Head of the Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University and Co-Leader of Macquarie University's Centre for Smart Green Cities.

Penelope Diamantakiou

Appointed: 30 August 2018
Position Expiry: 4 September 2021

Penelope has extensive experience in digital media, financial management and leadership. She was previously the COO and CFO at Yahoo!7 and was awarded the Telstra Women’s Business Award NSW in 2015.

Tony Pearson

Appointed: 30 August 2018
Position Expiry: 4 September 2021

Tony is currently a Commissioner at the Independent Planning Commission and a Non-Executive Director of ASX listed Cellnet, and Peak Resources. Tony has over 15 years’ commercial and investment banking experience, covering the Asia Pacific natural resources and infrastructure sectors, most recently as a Managing Director at HSBC. Tony is also a White Ribbon Ambassador and a Women in Mining network (WIMnet) mentor.

Giselle Collins

Appointed: 1 January 2019
Position Expiry: 31 December 2021

Giselle Collins is a company director with significant experience in property, tourism and financial services. Giselle is past Chairman of Aon Superannuation, the Travelodge Hotel Group and the Heart Research Institute. Giselle sits on the boards of listed and non-listed companies including Hotel Property Investments Limited, Generation Life, and the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.

Debra Townsend

Appointed: 28 November 2018
Position Expiry: 27 November 2021

Debra is a Partner and National Head of Environment and Planning Practice Team at King and Wood Mallesons. She is an experienced lawyer and has been a partner at the firm for over 20 years.

Mark Fleming

Appointed: 31 October 2018
Position Expiry: 30 October 2021

Mark is CFO and Executive Director with SCA Property Group and previously held senior financial positions with Treasury Wine Estates and Woolworths.

Executive Team

Executive Director
Denise Ora

Director Research & Chief Botanist
Dr Brett Summerell

Director Science & Conservation
Jo White

Director of Horticultural Management
Jimmy Turner

A/Director Visitor Experience
Melissa Driscoll

Director Corporate Services and Governance
Tania Betts

A/Director Strategic Planning and Projects
Jenni Calzini

Director Sport & Recreation
Carla Armanet

Director Assets & Facilities Management
George Salouros

A/Director Commercial Services
Kate Squire

Legislation

The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust is a statutory body established under the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Act 1980.

Under section 7 of the Act, the principal objects of the Trust are:

(a) to maintain and improve the Trust lands, the National Herbarium and the collections of living and preserved plant life owned by the Trust,

(b) to increase and disseminate knowledge with respect to the plant life of Australia, and of New South Wales in particular, and

(c) to encourage the use and enjoyment of the Trust lands by the public by promoting and increasing the educational, historical, cultural and recreational value of those lands.

When acting in pursuance of its objects, the Trust shall give particular emphasis to encouraging and advancing the study of systematic botany, and to plant conservation.

Any inquiries concerning the Act can be directed to:

Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust
Mrs Macquaries Road
Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: + 61 2 9231 8111

The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Act 1980 provides for the making of a regulation. The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Regulation 2013 addresses use of Trust lands for organised activities, fees and charges for parking, entry, camping, disposal of waste, land protection, restrictions on recreational and commercial activities, vehicles on Trust land, conduct of visitors, requests to leave Trust land, requirement to provide name and address and offences.

Copies of the Act and the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Regulation 2013 can be located on the Government of New South Wales Legislation Home Page.

Annual Reports

Download the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Annual Report 2017-18

Download the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Annual Report 2016-17

Download the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Annual Report 2015-16

Download the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Annual Report 2014-15

Download the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Annual Report 2013-14

Download the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Annual Report 2012-13