THE Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens is under new management.
Club members voted to support the formation of a new association led by volunteers to handle management and financial control of the gardens during a meeting this month, following agreement with Scenic Rim Regional Council.
The gardens will be managed by the Tamborine Mountain Botanical Gardens Inc.
Scenic Rim Regional Council approved a new financial support agreement with the association, replacing a decade old former agreement.
Tamborine Mountain Botanical Gardens spokeserson Roger Bell said the volunteers had worked over many years to build up multiple sources of funding.
"The volunteer group has known for some time that we could not continue to rely on the council and the Garden Club alone. The cancellation of the festival in 2018 brought funding into sharper focus for the volunteers," he said.
"The roles of the Garden Club and the Botanic Gardens have evolved over time. Both parties have agreed that effective management should be in the hands of the volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain and continue to develop the 13 hectare site."
Scenic Rim councillor Nigel Waistell said he was delighted to see a secure future for the gardens.
The Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens Inc committee is expected to announce initiatives to promote greater community engagement in garden activities.
Mr Bell said the committee would build on the success of the gardens which was first developed in 1983.
"The gardens are ranked as the most important not-for-profit destination on the mountain and the second most important attraction overall," he said.
"The gardens are a source of inspiration, education and relaxation for people across south-east Queensland and beyond.
"The volunteers are excited about the future and our new focus."
