STATE Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin and major benefactor Jeni Binns today (Wednesday 9 December) will jointly open new accessible amenities at the Visitors’ Centre in Lismore’s popular Rainforest Botanic Gardens.
Ms Saffin said the project was one of 20 electorate-wide which was successful in the 2019 Community Building Partnership Program, securing $25,000 towards the amenities which will cater for larger groups like school excursions.
“I knew how popular the botanic gardens are with locals and visitors alike, and how hard the Friends of the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens Incorporated (FLRBG) work in a volunteer capacity to keep them looking good and to ensure a sensory and educational experience for all,” Ms Saffin said.
“And as is the case with most community projects, different parts must come together to realise them. There are a lot of people to recognise and thank, first and foremost Dr Andrew Binns and Mrs Jeni Binns, who have made general annual donations over many years.
“Draftsman Ben De Nardi, of Paper Plans, drew plans pro bono. Ben’s mother Jan De Nardi is a botanist, member of the FLRBG Committee and volunteer manager of the plant nursery at the gardens.
“Brett Cramp, from BT Sheds, showed great commitment to the project, as did Stephen Nelson for plumbing works, Peter Gow Electrical for lights and power to the maceration pump, and volunteer building team members Don Woodley and Will Evans on the fitout.
“I know FLRBG Committee President Hazel Bridgett cannot thank them enough, as well as Lismore City Council staff in its Planning Department and in the Waste Management Facility for their assistance to her committee.”
Ms Saffin also thanked volunteers in the Wednesday work day teams who did the landscaping around the septic tank and visitors’ centre, and other volunteers for painting internal wall linings.
A special thanks also goes to the organisation’s bookkeeper Christine Kremser, who maintains the journals for various projects at the gardens and who makes it easier for the Committee to plan its expenditure.
In another development, a 10,000-litre rainwater tank has recently been installed behind the visitors’ centre by Bruce Jobson Plumbing with grant funding of $4442 from the North Coast Regional Fund.
Wednesday, 9 December 2020.
