Popular cafe to be axed

Botanic Gardens venue being bulldozed in complete makeover

By Nick Dalton

Botanic Gardens Restaurant and Cafe owner Kimmy Timms (at rear) with regular customers (from left) Mick Furness, Cliff Harrison, Friedel Jaschok and Heather Powers. Picture: Nick Dalton

THE Botanic Gardens Restaurant and Café is to be bulldozed as part of a multimillion-dollar redevelopment of the Collins Avenue venue.

Despite a plea by the current owner Kimmy Timms for a stay of execution until the works begin between January and June next year, the lease will not be renewed at the end of the year,

The decision left Miss Timms, her staff and customers reeling in shock. She has run the venue for the past 26 years and has worked there for 28 years.

According to the gardens’ masterplan review revealed this week, feedback from the community suggested “the old café is a tired space”.

“The cafe will be removed and replaced with a new garden featuring highlight plantings,” the report said.

People also told the council that the current toilets next to the cafe were “old and inaccessible”.

“The existing toilets will be replaced with new all-abilities facilities in a more suitable and accessible location.”

Residents also called for “better food and beverage offerings” and the report said “a future coffee/food cart was proposed to expand refreshment options”.

The gardens will be renewed and transformed, with a proposed multi-stage upgrade from next year until 2030 to enhance accessibility, improve visitor facilities and celebrate the precinct’s world-class tropical plant collections.

The final cost will not be known until councillors prioritise the projects.

The staged improvements will take place across the Flecker Botanic Gardens, Centenary Lakes and Tanks Arts Centre precincts over the next five years.

Mayor Amy Eden said the upgrades would protect the gardens’ legacy while delivering new facilities for locals and visitors.

“The Cairns Botanic Gardens are already recognised as one of Australia’s best tropical gardens. These works will make it even more welcoming, accessible and vibrant,” she said.

“From lush new themed gardens, to modern all-abilities amenities, safer connections and more shaded spaces, the master plan will breathe new life into a place that is loved by our community and admired around the world.”

Divisional Councillor Anna Middleton said the master plan review was informed by extensive research, site analysis and community feedback collected over the past three years.

“Moving forward this plan looks to improve facilities, access and grow the space to reflect a world-class botanical garden,” she said.

Key features of the upgrades include new themed gardens in Flecker Gardens (showcasing diverse tropical species), Centenary Lakes Nature Play upgrade ($300,000) to inspire outdoor exploration for families, new interactive nursery and depot facilities to support ongoing plant conservation and horticultural excellence, removal of ageing café and toilets, replaced with new accessible amenities in a more suitable location and improved pathways and connectivity across the precinct.

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