Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, June 6, 2023
Starting February 2024, all out of town visitors aged 16 and over will have to pay $20 to visit their enclosed gardens at Hamilton Gardens.
Hamilton City Council said that the revenue from the entry fee will go towards the significant and increasing costs to maintain Hamilton’s most-popular visitor attraction, and continuing to provide the world-class experience it is known for.
The Council decided on the controversial fee for non-Hamiltonians aged 16 and over at a meeting last week and will formally finalise it on June 29, 2023.
Visitor Destinations Unit Director Lee-Ann Jordan said the time is right to introduce the entry fee, given the growing visitation and the demand this puts on the site.
“Hamilton Gardens is a huge asset for our city and is an important contributor to local tourism and the city economy,” she said. “A lot of people are passionate about them and $20 is a very reasonable price to experience the 18 amazing and unique gardens in the Enclosed Gardens. And, of course, they remain free for Hamiltonians.”
Balancing the books
The revenue generated by the entry fee will go towards the maintenance of Hamilton Gardens, and will help to address Council’s ‘balancing the books’ shortfall – how much more money will go to everyday costs next year, than is expected in revenue, which now stands at $16.5 million, with a debt-to-revenue ratio of 199% and net debt of $842 million.
Councillors opted not to increase rates beyond the 4.9% that has been signalled for a long time. “It is more important than ever that we think of our responsibilities, and what is best for Hamiltonians not just now, but into the future,” said Mayor Paula Southgate.
“After a robust and considered debate, we opted to keep rates at a 4.9% increase – which is good news for some, but signals that we have a lot of work to do through our Long-Term Plan process to considerably cut costs and balance the books.”
Details being streamlined
When enquired about how Hamiltonians would gain access to gardens, Lee-Ann Jordan, Visitor Destinations Unit Director told Indian Newslink, “Staff are still working through the details but at this stage Hamiltonians will need to show proof of current physical address. They will then be provided with a membership card or similar which means they can scan straight in on subsequent visits to the gardens. We anticipate accepting proof of physical address from local or central government departments, banks or utility companies (e.g. power, phone, gas).”
It would create some confusion for extended families that are visiting, or people on temporary visas living in Hamilton as an acceptable evidence that the person resides in Hamilton would be required for free entry.
Everyone, no matter their location, will still continue to have free access to the outer gardens which include Roger’s Rose Garden, Rhododendron Lawn, Camellia Garden, children’s playground, Turtle Lake and Hamilton Gardens Cafe.
New Entry Precinct
Ms Jordan also said, “Implementation of paid entry to the Enclosed Gardens will coincide with the completion of the new Visitor Centre at Hamilton Gardens. The new building allows for ticketing and controlled access to the Enclosed Gardens.” She confirmed that new staff will be recruited as part of the new Visitor Centre to support paid entry.
Hamilton Gardens recently released plans for a proposed new Visitor Entry Precinct which Hamilton City Council believes will transform how visitors are welcomed to the world-class attraction.
The Visitor Centre will include a secure entry point into the Enclosed Gardens to manage large numbers of visitors at peak times and enable the collection of entry fees into the gardens when charges are introduced from the end of 2023 or early 2024.
The Visitor Entry Precinct project, also includes enhancements to Hamilton Gardens Cafe, better flow, and a new retail space and the range of amenities expected of modern facilities, Hamilton City Council said.
The entry precinct will create a sense of arrival that reflects the gardens loved by visitors from near and far, said the director at Hamilton Gardens, Lucy Ryan. “We need a new Visitor Centre to manage the volume of visitors the gardens attract during the peak summer months and to ensure a rich welcome that complements our world-class gardens,” she said.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
