Visiting the Ballarat attraction yesterday, Professor Entwhisle said along with a new fernery, the Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Garden were interested in a development plan for the whole of the gardens.

Professor Entwhisle, who recently became a patron of the Ballarat gardens, said it was potentially a great regional attraction with a key tourism role to play.

There was also a strong environmental message in a well kept garden, he said.

“Built in the late 19th century, it’s one of the big gardens used after the gold rush,” he said.

“It would be great for this to be seen as a major tourism attraction, with anyone who comes to Ballarat making a visit to the garden.”

Professor Entwhisle said record numbers visited the Melbourne’s Royal Botanic gardens in the past year and botanic gardens were the most visited cultural attraction in Australia after cinema.

He said the Ballarat City Council should have no trouble gaining support for development of the site if the planning was done well.

“As well as bringing visitors to town it is also a place of tranquility and relaxation for locals,” he said.

“It also gets people interested and involved in gardening.