IT WILL be a big mistake, if councillors accept new guidelines ruling Carlton Gardens as an unsuitable venue for the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, organisers and participants say.
The Melbourne City Council was concerned the heritage-listed park would be unsuitable to hold such a high-impact event.
Entering its 13th year, the show is one of Australia’s hallmark events, regarded as the largest and most successful horticultural event in the Southern Hemisphere, and rated among the top five flower and garden shows in the world.
An annual exhibitor since the first show, Sunshine’s Gantcho Taskov was dismayed by the news.
“It’s very sad. I’ve been to Singapore and Japan to take part, but this is the best show,” Mr Taskov said.
“They can’t compare with Australia, the organisation is at a very high level,” he said.
“The show brings a lot of tourism. It will be a very big mistake to show somewhere else. It’s a very good spot and a very good garden – and Melbourne will lose a lot of money,” Mr Taskov said.
But there was more to it than revenue. It was an expression of art, he said.
“I also don’t think there’s any damage to the garden,” he said.
“I couldn’t believe who would take this idea and why they want to do it.”
But the show is certain to go ahead next year because of a standing contract between the council and show organisers.
More than 100,000 visitors attended this year, and a report on the 2006 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show revealed that 94.8 per cent of visitors surveyed said “yes” to Carlton Gardens being a suitable venue for the event.
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show director Greg Hooton said all was not lost yet.
“We’ve only just seen the results from the council meeting, which has to go forward and be ratified,” said Mr Hooton.
“And we’re still working to have the event remain and pushing for it to be held at Carlton Gardens,” he said.
“In our mind, there’s no other venue. It’s never been proven that we’ve caused any high impact on the garden,” said Mr Hooton.
“There’s no evidence to show.
“All the reports show there’s no damage. It’s no more damage than what general foot traffic would cause,” he said.
“From a logical perspective, there appears to be no logic in the decision.”
And if council sticks to this ruling, “the event will go”, Mr Hooton said.
When contacted by the Star, the event management company for the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, International Management Group of America Ltd (IMG), said it could not comment.
