MOUNT LOFTY BOTANIC GARDENS

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (14:59): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Environment and Conservation a question about the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens.

Leave granted.

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN: South Australian is blessed with many fine gardens, including our famous botanic gardens which sit in the heart of the city. The many different displays, including the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion and the SA Water Mediterranean garden, which are both recent additions, are a testament to the skill of the horticulturists who lovingly tend the gardens and to God's good rain which waters them.

Just as magnificent are the botanic gardens which have been long established at Mount Lofty. Although the last time I was there I did, in fact, slip down an embankment and do myself some detriment, nonetheless Mount Lofty is home to some of the most historically significant roses in the state. Could the minister update the house on conservation efforts at the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (15:00): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. Indeed, the Hon. Bernie Finnigan is showing his sensitive side. I must go and check out the claw marks on the side of the bank.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I share his sentiments that the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden is a truly spectacular South Australian icon, which is loved by just as many as the better known Adelaide Botanic Gardens. Testament to this was the recent announcement that the South Australian heritage rose collection and national species rose collection located in the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden would be revitalised thanks to the generosity of the ATCO Group contributing $142,500.

The sponsorship was made in the name of the late Clive Armour, chairman and secretary of ATCO's Australian operations, a former vice-president of the Nature Foundation of South Australia, who was also a strong supporter and passionate advocate of the botanic gardens of Adelaide. I am delighted to inform the council today that plans are underway to rename the rose garden at the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden in honour of Mr Armour.

Clive was chairman of the board of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium from 1995 to 1999. This period was a very significant one in the gardens' history. Projects included the restoration of the historic Palm House, the remediation and transfer of the old Hackney bus depot site to the gardens and significant improvements to traffic management and parking in Botanic Park and Mount Lofty Botanic Garden.

Clive's contribution as chairman left the gardens as a more confident, resilient and better connected scientific and cultural institution. Clive's commitment and enthusiasm for the gardens continued beyond his period as chairman. His enthusiasm and good auspices initiated the development and very significant success of the Gardens 150 Foundation. His extensive support for the continuing development of the gardens for community enjoyment, inspiration and learning should not be overlooked.

Clive also found time to lead the development of a concept for music in the gardens and to guide the delivery of a diverse and successful program that provided the gardens with the experience and capacity to support the range of functions and events that the establishment of the foundation has required.

The generous donation of the ATCO Group will ensure the rose heritage species gardens will be around for many years to come, as it will enable these collections to be upgraded with efficient watering systems and sustainable maintenance programs. The heritage and national species rose collection is a living timeline, tracing the long and complex history of the rose from its wild origins through domestication and breeding.

Adelaide is recognised as one of the premier rose-growing regions in the world. Our Mediterranean climate is ideal for roses to thrive and many South Australians have taken advantage of this. For those who are keen to see a world class display a little closer to home, the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide also have displays to highlight different aspects of rose history and cultivation. In fact, the International Rose Garden has more than 5,000 different species of roses on display, which I am sure will engross even the most experienced of rose lovers.

The site also benefits research, with the adjacent national rose trial garden assisting the rose industry to determine which roses are best suited to Australian conditions before commercial release. I would like to thank the ATCO Group on behalf of the council for its generous donation. I urge all South Australians and rose lovers to visit another of the state's greatest botanic gardens at Mount Lofty.