Please help us stop the demolition of the 'Pyramid Glasshouse' at the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney to make way for a 'new' public amenity/exhibition area.

The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Board (RBG&DTB) and the RBG Executive have decided to demolish the ‘Pyramid Glasshouse’ as part of the Sydney Tropical Centre (‘Biomes’) refurbishment project.

The Trust’s Project Team recently announced that as part of ‘Biome Stage 1’ they have decided to: Retain and refurbish 'The Arc' (Tropical Glasshouse) and demolish the ‘Pyramid Glasshouse’ which will reduce the RBG Sydney’s plant exhibition space by 1,740 m3.

The RBG&DTB proposes to replace the ‘Pyramid Glasshouse’ with ‘a purpose-built facility that will include: foyer, reception, amenities, warm up kitchen, 2 display spaces (to provide an extension of horticulture exhibits) and multi-purpose function space (dependent on budget availability)’.

For the last 42 years multitudes of native and exotic, tropical and sub-tropical plants have been grown and displayed in the 'Pyramid Glasshouse' to the delight of millions of visitors. How could you forget the fruit of the Giant Granadilla hanging like green footballs and the claw shaped turquoise flowers of the Jade Vine suspended from the roof structure, orchid and bromeliad clad logs displaying an array of flower colours, shapes and sizes or the huge round fronds of the Ruffled Fan Palm below the viewing platform, the horridly spined leaves and trunk of the Ruffle Palm or the huge Koi Carp lazily cruising in the pond.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars of public money were raised in the 1980's as part of the ‘Great Pyramid Appeal’ to help with the completion of the 'Pyramid Complex'. This project involved the construction of the two previously planned glasshouses. That did not happen and the people of NSW ended up with 'The Arc' as part of the RBG's 'Tropical Centre' in 1990. This time the RBG&DTB plans to use our money to refurbish ‘The Arc’ and demolish the ‘Pyramid’ Glasshouse’.

We want the Honorable Mr. Rob Stokes MP to answer the following questions:

 

Why does the 'Pyramid Glasshouse' have to be demolished?

 

Why demolish a functional, world renowned plant growing and exhibition structure and replace it with a multi-purpose function space?

 

Why has the decision been made to reduce the RBG’s plant growing and exhibition space and replace it with a 'purpose-built' reception area, kitchen, toilet block and entertainment room?

 

Why can't the 'Pyramid' be used to increase tourist visitation through the use of targeted exhibitions and planting themes with popular and current horticultural and scientific messages?

The RBG&DTB and RBG Executive need to reconsider their refurbishment plans. Stop the demolition of the ‘Pyramid Glasshouse’ and save it as part of the ‘RBG’s Biomes Project’. Refurbish the 'Pyramid Glasshouse' as well as 'The Arc' to better house, display and conserve the RBG's plant collections for public exhibition. Our taxes should not be used to reduce the space available for the exhibition of tropical plants at the RBG, Sydney.

The 'Pyramid Glasshouse' is ours and it is part of our cultural, horticultural and botanical heritage. Please help save one of Sydney’s icons from destruction!