2015 HERITAGE VICTORIA
PERMIT APPLICATION
-MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL
FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW-
2015 DESCRIPTION OF WORKS
CONTENTS
Foreword .............................................................................................................................................. 3
Proposal ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Intended Activities ............................................................................................................................... 3
Current Conditions of Venue ............................................................................................................... 4
Layout Plan ........................................................................................................................................... 5
Heritage Impact Assessment Statement ............................................................................................. 5
Garden Protection and Restoration ..................................................................................................... 6
2015 Designer’s Guide ......................................................................................................................... 7
2015 Irrigation Plan .............................................................................................................................. 7
2015 Heritage Consultant .................................................................................................................... 7
2015 Soil Compaction Report .............................................................................................................. 7
2015 Event Timeline............................................................................................................................. 7
MIFGS Financial Implications - Application Refusal ............................................................................. 8
Appendices ......................................................................................................................................... 10
Appendix 1a – 2015 MIFGS CAD Map ........................................................................................ 10
Appendix 1b – 2015 MIFGS Show Map ...................................................................................... 10
Appendix 2
– 2014 Soil Compaction Test ................................................................................. 10
Appendix 3
– 2015 Garden Protection Method Statement ..................................................... 10
Appendix 4
– 2015 Ground Protection excerpts from the Exhibitor Manual .......................... 10
Appendix 5
– 2015 Designer’s Guide ........................................................................................ 10
Appendix 6
– 2015 Turf Reinstatement Process ...................................................................... 10
Appendix 7a – 2015 Irrigation Plan ............................................................................................ 10
Appendix 7b – 2015 Irrigation Map ............................................................................................ 10
Appendix 8
– 2014 Post Event Report ...................................................................................... 10
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Foreword
Victoria is universally known as the Garden State. We love flowers and gardens as reflected by the attendance
numbers at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (MIFGS).
During the week at MIFGS, the Carlton Gardens and Royal Exhibition Buildings are filled with pensioner groups, civic
and social groups as well as gardening clubs while at weekends young families, couples and singles look for inspiration
to transform their backyard, an inner city courtyard or apartment balcony. There are displays, advice and
entertainment for all - from those with the greenest of thumbs to gardening novices.
It is Australia’s most beautiful event and the reason for this goes beyond the exhibits themselves.
The event’s location plays a large part in its beauty. The Carlton Gardens are amongst the most stunning in the State.
With its boulevards leading off from the Central Fountain, the Gardens have a symmetry, which makes it ideal for
taking in a show of this type.
Meanwhile, the majesty of the Royal Exhibition Building provides a backdrop for a multitude of dazzling floral displays
- the colour, perfume and spectacle of thousands of cut blossoms are enriched by such a historic setting.
The show gives us the opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate something central to life in
Australia – open space, flowers and gardens.
Proposal
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We propose that the 20 annual Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (MIFGS) be held in the world
heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens South.
The event has been held in the above location for the last 18 years operating under a licence from the City of
Melbourne and granted access to close off Crown Land by the Victorian Government (refer Victorian Government
Gazette, No S37 16 April 1996).
MIFGS is a five day event (with an additional 20 days for bump in and out) that celebrates and promotes all aspects of
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the horticultural industry. The events exhibitors are set to officially occupy the Carlton Gardens from Saturday 14
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March until Thursday 2 April 2014.
All planning and exhibit plans are approved for installation by the City of Melbourne. MIFGS and the City of
Melbourne have developed a process for site approvals for garden displays that ensures the protection of the garden.
Intended Activities
We propose that the 2015 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (MIFGS) be held at the World Heritage
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listed Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens South from Wednesday 25 to Sunday 29 March. As such, the
timeline for works on page 7 will be in place.
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Current Conditions of Venue
Yellow dotted line represents where the temporary fence line will be installed to secure the proposed event venue.
At no stage is there any intention to alter the physical layout of the venue. All displays are placed on top of the
ground.
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Layout Plan
Refer to Appendix 1a for the 2015 MIFGS CAD Plan and Appendix 1b for the 2015 MIFGS Show Map.
Heritage Impact Assessment Statement
The positive heritage significance of MIFGS
The continuing use of the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens for exhibitions is associated with the cultural
significance of the place, and the on-going use of the site for this purpose is acknowledged in all heritage listings.
In the 2004 Carlton Gardens 10 year Master Plan, MIFGS is identified as the only commercial event that is to be given
access to the South Carlton Gardens. Furthermore, MIFGS, as the only exhibition that utilises both the Royal Exhibition
Building and Carlton Gardens, actually played an integral part in the world heritage listing process. The function of the
entire venue to host an exhibition/event reflects the original purpose of the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton
Gardens.
The following Statement of Significance was provided as part of the nomination by the Federal Government of the
Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens for inscription on the World Heritage List:
“The Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens have outstanding universal value as a rare surviving manifestation
of the international exhibition phenomenon of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century’s – a phenomenon that
embodied ideas and processes that have profoundly affected modern societies. The Building and Gardens, used for the
international exhibitions of 1880 and 1888, are unique in having maintained authenticity of form and function through
to the present day.”
MIFGS is mentioned twice in Environment Australia’s submission highlighting how the Royal Exhibition Building
continues to be used as a venue for major exhibitions (pg 45, Part 2) and within the Visitor/Tourism Pressures Section
(pg. 58, Part 2).
Further endorsement of MIFGS as part of the Heritage listing can be seen by the comments made by Mary Delahunty,
Victorian Minister for Women's Affairs and The Arts, in the Heritage (World Heritage) Bill 2004.
“The Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens is not listed because it is a grand piece of architecture, in a nice
park, in a magnificent city. It has achieved its status as the only surviving ‘place of industry’ from one of the major
international exhibitions of the nineteenth and early twentieth century. This significance is enhanced by the fact that
the building and gardens are still used for exhibitions such as the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.”
MIFGS is conscious of its responsibility to maintain this world heritage asset and, in conjunction with the City of
Melbourne, manages a comprehensive grass restoration process at the end of each event.
MIFGS also makes a substantial contribution of $34,000 per annum to the City of Melbourne to be utilised in continual
improvement and upgrade of the gardens.
The City of Melbourne has commissioned a number of reports to identify and assess the venue at the conclusion of
the 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 events. Please see Appendix 2 for the 2014
Soil Compaction Assessment.
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While turf restoration is required at no stage has there been a report that says that MIFGS cause’s damage to the
venue. Please refer to below samples of report conclusions:
Extract from the 2014 Soil Compaction Assessment
“It is concluded that the MIFGS has not caused damage by compaction to the soil in 2014. In only three of eleven sites
where the bulk density was measured ‘before’ and ‘after’ there was a slight change: a slight increase in two locations
and a slight decrease in the other location. The magnitude of these changes was mostly so small as to be
insignificant”.
Extract from the 2013 Soil Compaction Assessment
“It is concluded that the MIFGS has not caused damage by compaction to the soil in 2013. In nine out of ten sites
where the bulk density was measured “before” and “after” there was a slight decrease in three locations and a slight
increase in four locations and no change in two locations. The magnitude of these increases and decreases were very
small and considered to be less than experimental error. They are not statistically significant”.
Key heritage features in Carlton Gardens South and the impact MIFGS has upon these features:
Plane Tree Avenue
All large exhibition displays have been removed from the Plane Tree Avenue to ensure that visitors to MIFGS can
enjoy the view to the Royal Exhibition Building and especially the dome.
Any potential impact to the Plane Trees is reduced by installing barriers between them to prevent foot traffic from
moving between them. Where foot traffic can move between the Plane Trees, a flooring product (Profloor) is used to
protect the grass and the base of the tree is chained off to protect the immediate area surrounding the base of the
tree.
The Hochgurtel Fountain
There is no event impact on the Hochgurtel Fountain as it is not available to exhibitors.
Ornamental Lakes
There is no event impact on either of the ornamental lakes.
Mature trees growing in the Carlton Gardens South
Any potential impact on trees is carefully monitored and managed through pre and post show assessments.
Event Management, in conjunction with the City of Melbourne, have developed in-depth plans that address how the
trees in the garden will be protected to avoid any potential impact.
Refer to Appendix’s 3 to 6 for more information on venue protection.
Garden Protection and Restoration
Exhibitors that take part in the event are educated regarding the significance of the venue and the processes in place
to protect the venue. This information is disseminated to all exhibitors via an ‘Exhibitor Manual’ as well as at the
Exhibitor Meeting prior each year’s Show.
Refer to Appendix 3 for the ‘Garden Protection Method Statement’.
Refer to Appendix 4 for the ‘Ground Protection excerpts from the Exhibitor Manual’.
Refer to Appendix 5 for the ‘2015 Designer’s Guide’ which gives details on the Tree Protection Zone and garden
protection requirements of the exhibitor. This is distributed to all landscape exhibitors.
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Refer to Appendix 6 for the ‘Turf Reinstatement Process’ as per the Show’s licence agreement with the City of
Melbourne.
2015 Designer’s Guide
Designers are provided with details on how to operate in the Carlton Gardens to ensure maximum protection of the
space.
Refer to Appendix 5 for the ‘2015 Designers Guide’.
2015 Irrigation Plan
Please see Appendix 7a and 7b for the 2015 Irrigation Plan and Map to be actioned by the event and the City as
required.
2015 Heritage Consultant
Once again the event has engaged the services of Carolyn Blackman from Vivid Design to act as the Heritage
Consultant and prepare a report on the event for presentation post the event to the City of Melbourne and Heritage
Victoria.
2015 Soil Compaction Report
Once again the event has engaged the services of Van de Graaff & Associates to conduct soil compaction testing pre
and post the event and prepare a report on the event for presentation post the event to the City of Melbourne and
Heritage Victoria.
2015 Event Timeline
The proposed timeline for the 2015 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show is as follows:
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PRE-EVENT SET UP – Commencing Monday 2 March to 15 March
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On site offices move into Southern Drive of REB and marquee contractor to commence installation in
Carlton Gardens South
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Event management place water barriers and safety barrier around venue to protect corners prior to
exhibitor move-in. Sound system installed throughout gardens. Portable toilets are installed in the A
section of the gardens. Set up of temporary fence line commences around Carlton Gardens South.
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Fence line is locked down at 12.01am Monday 17 March to prevent public access to the venue.
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EXHIBITOR BUMP IN OVER 9 DAYS – Monday 17 March to Tuesday 25 March
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Exhibitors commence set up on site.
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5 DAYS OF THE SHOW – Wednesday 25 to Sunday 29 March
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BUMP OUT OVER 5 DAYS – Sunday 29 to Thursday 2 April
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From approximately 7pm Sunday 29 March exhibitors begin to move out of the gardens
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Temporary fence is dismantled and public have access to the gardens from 12.01am Thursday 2
April
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The venue is handed back to the City of Melbourne at close of business Thursday 2 April
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MIFGS Financial Implications - Application Refusal
The financial implications of the permit application being refused are immeasurable. The financial and social loss
would be felt by the following groups:
MIFGS drives a substantial amount of economic activity into the Victorian economy.
It is estimated that the economic impact of the show generates between $8 to $9 million to the State, with a
substantial proportion generated by interstate and overseas visitors. Approximately 20,000 (15% of show-goers) are
from interstate or overseas. The influx of visitors from outside Melbourne means hotel occupancy rates rise,
restaurants and cafes, particularly in the CBD and Carlton precinct are busier and the likelihood of retail expenditure in
and around the city increases.
MIFGS also impacts positively on the horticultural economy directly.
Each major display in the Great Hall (Royal Exhibition Building) costs between $8,000 and $10,000 to stage. In the
Carlton Gardens each landscape display on average invests between $20,000 and up to $40,000 in their displays. At
the 2014 event, displays and exhibitions generated $1 million into the economy along with greater employment,
marketing and sponsorship opportunities to the industry.
MIFGS provides significant support to the show’s major stakeholders and key industry partners, the Nursery and
Garden Industry of Victoria (NGIV) and Flowers Victoria (FV). These two organisations are major industry employers
within the horticultural industry. The income from MIFGS assists NGIV and FV with employment, production,
marketing, promotion and accreditation initiatives. It strengthens the sales and distribution of horticultural products
and services.
MIFGS fosters young talent and provides a platform for professional development.
Each year horticulture and floristry departments of technical colleges and universities are provided free space to
exhibit at the show. These institutes include Burnley College (University of Melbourne), Swinburne University of
Technology, Box Hill Institute of TAFE, Holmesglen Institute of TAFE, Chisholm
Institute of TAFE, Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT), Kangan Batman TAFE and Royal Melbourne Institute
of TAFE (RMIT).
The event also reaches students beyond landscape, horticulture and floristry courses. Over the past eight years MIFGS
has included participation by the Fashion Department of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). As part
of their assignment work, final year students create a fashion exhibition that celebrates fashion, flowers and foliage.
The participation of community groups at MIFGS.
The event provides many community groups with free space to assist their ability to exhibit at MIFGS. In some cases
MIFGS actually contributes financially to their display presence.
Groups participating in MIFGS include amateur gardening clubs, floral art societies, the Royal Horticultural Society and
the Association of Sculptors of Victoria as well as issue-based organisations such as Friends of the Elms and
Sustainable Gardening Australia.
MIFGS is about inclusion and getting as many people as possible involved. Community and special interest groups that
participate in MIFGS each year include:
 RHSV affiliate clubs and individual members
 Victorian Schools’ Gardens Awards
 Sustainable Gardening Australia
 Victorian Arts Societies
 Association of Sculptors of Victoria
 Victorian Regional Tourism Bodies
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All of the above organisations receive complimentary space at the event and in some cases are assisted financially by
the event to display at the event.
For many of these groups MIFGS gives them a voice that they might not otherwise have. Organisations such as these
are often made up of volunteers with incredibly limited resources and so MIFGS is the centrepiece to their yearly
marketing, promotional and membership initiatives. Without the show they would not have the capacity to reach
over 100,000 people in such in a concentrated manner.
The participation of Charity Organisations at MIFGS
Each year MIFGS works closely with charity organisations that wish to exhibit at the event to enable them to reach an
audience that they might otherwise not have access to. For the 2012 MIFGS appointed Kids Under Cover as the Show’s
Official Charity in a bid to assist in raising awareness for the national charity that helps to prevent homelessness by
building homes and providing scholarships for homeless and at-risk young people. As one part of their yearly
fundraising efforts Kids Under Cover held their annual Cubby House Challenge at MIFGS, auctioning off custom
designed and built cubby houses designed by Australian Architects along with a number of other activities to be held
at MIFGS. They were able to raise over $120,000 from the Show.
Some of the organisations that have exhibited at MIFGS to build their profile and raise funds have included:
 Royal Children’s Hospital
 Skin Cancer Foundation
 Cystic Fibrosis
All of the above organisations receive complimentary space at the event and in some cases the resources of IMG’s
event management team is placed at their disposal.
For a full report on the success of the 2014 Show please see Appendix 8 for the Post Event Report.
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Appendices
See external attachments for:
Appendix 1a
Appendix 1b
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
Appendix 5
Appendix 6
Appendix 7a
Appendix 7b
Appendix 8
– 2015 MIFGS CAD Map
– 2015 MIFGS Show Map
– 2014 Soil Compaction Test
– 2015 Garden Protection Method Statement
– 2015 Ground Protection excerpts from the Exhibitor Manual
– 2015 Designer’s Guide
– 2015 Turf Reinstatement Process
– 2015 Irrigation Plan
– 2015 Irrigation Map
– 2014 Post Event Report
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