Front: Bundaberg Region Mayor Helen Blackburn and Vice Mayor of Nanning Municipal People’s Government Mr Pan Guoxiong
Back: Mr Michael Ellery, Mr Wu Zhi, Cr Steve Cooper, Mr Qin Jian, Mr Liang Wang, Lihong Du, Cr Larine Staham-Blair, Ms Li Sumei
Bundaberg’s connection with Sister City Nanning in China is set to blossom through a plan for closer collaboration between each region’s botanic gardens.
The Sister-Botanical Garden Relation Agreement between Bundaberg Regional Council, as custodian of the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens, and Administrative Committee of Nanning Qingxiushan Scenic Area, as custodian of Nanning Botanic Garden aims to provide opportunities for cooperation, knowledge sharing and plant exchanges.
The initiative builds on years of collaboration between the two gardens which was vital to the creation of the Chinese Garden at Bundaberg Botanic Gardens.
Following the Bundaberg floods in 2013, the city of Nanning assisted rebuilding works in the Chinese Garden, providing funding for the repair and replacement of damaged plants and infrastructure.
Bundaberg Regional Council’s Sister City Advisory Committee Chair Cr Steve Cooper said the agreement further solidified the Sister City friendship.
“The Sister-Botanic Gardens Relation Agreement provides further avenues to promote greater connections between our two regions,” Cr Cooper said.
“Through collaboration in ecological conservation, exchanges of plant resources and sharing horticultural experiences, the two teams can build their combined knowledge base.
“It is a wonderful opportunity for our Botanic Gardens staff to share their expertise, gain professional development and receive support for their work promoting the value of botanic gardens within our region.”
The agreement will support knowledge sharing and exchange between the two cities and may even see suitable seeds and seedlings shared, subject to biosecurity controls in both countries.
Cr Cooper said Bundaberg’s Chinese Garden provided a point of difference for the region.
“The Nanning Chinese Garden is a spectacular feature of the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens, authentically designed in the Chinese tradition,” Cr Cooper said.
“Nanning, known as the Green City, has a climate much like Bundaberg’s, and that is reflected in the plant choices featured in our garden.
“Through the Sister-Botanic Gardens Relation Agreement, I look forward to seeing the garden blossom into an even more beautiful area for visitors to enjoy for many years to come.”
Council approved the Sister-Botanic Gardens Relation Agreement at its Ordinary meeting on Tuesday 24 February.
It was signed by Mayor Helen Blackburn and Director of Administrative Committee of Nanning Qingxiushan Scenic Area Mr Liang Wang during the recent Nanning delegation visit to the Bundaberg Region for Lunar New Year.
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