Attractions | Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

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Rain Garden

The Rain Garden at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is a display feature demonstrating innovative and environmentally sensitive ways of reducing the damaging effects of urban storm water runoff on the environment.

This small-scale example of a storm water treatment/detention system incorporates the latest trends in the Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD). It shows that such features can be incorporated into attractive landscape designs that will fit into a variety of urban settings. The Rain Garden also forms part of the Gardens' commitment to water conservation.

Water is harvested from the Training Centre roof and the surrounding roads and pathways into a small basin, or pond, planted with attractive native vegetation. The water is filtered by microorganisms that live around the root zone of the plants and then percolates through the sandy soil layer at the base of the pond.

A combination of plant take-up and microbiological interaction removes pollutants from the water. The silt load is also reduced due to the Rain Garden's ability to slow down the water before it is returned to the Derwent River.

Water-Wise Gardening Resources

A list of native plants suitable for a Rain Garden in Tasmania is available here.
Whilst at the Gardens, have a look at some attractive plants in the collection that have low water requirements - download the self-guided walk map here.
The RTBG also offers a fact sheet about how to garden without wasting water, available here.
To find out more about Rain Gardens and WSUD principles please visit the website of the Derwent Estuary Program.
The Hobart City Council also has helpful information about Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) available on its website.

Thank You

Development and construction of this rain garden has been a joint project between the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, the Master Plumbers Association of Tasmania, the Derwent Estuary Program and Hobart City Council.

The Rain Garden was designed and built by Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens' staff with the plumbing completed by members of the Master Plumbers Association of Tasmania. The project forms part of the Master Plumber Association's GreenCity Service program. More information about the Master Plumber Association can be found at www.mpatas.com.au.

RTBG staff members designed a planting plan for the Rain Garden and the surrounding areas. The Gardens' Planning & Asset Team completed the landscape requirements.

The project has been made possible by Commonwealth Government funding provided under the Envirofund grants program For more information please visit: www.nht.gov.au.

Photos

Our landscape team Cameron Haas and Henry Kulinski with the Rain Garden before planting had started.

The newly planted Rain Garden.