Role of the Botanical Gardens
As a State Government statutory body, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is governed by the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens Act 2002 which is administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens Board is appointed by, and reports to, the Minister for Parks. The Board's responsibility includes managing, conserving and enhancing the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, and setting a long-term vision and strategic framework.
Vision Statement
- A thriving Tasmanian botanical, social and cultural destination.
Our Purpose
- To enrich Tasmania by curating, securing, and displaying a diverse living collection.
The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens Board
| Mr. Daniel Leesong (Chair)
Daniel commenced as Chair of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in 2024. His background has spanned private enterprise and Government having also developed one of Tasmania's most acclaimed food businesses, Coal River Farm. As a former Premier's Chief of Staff, Marketing and Corporate Affairs Agency Owner and Association CEO throughout Australia, Daniel brings a broad range of governance skills to his role as Chair. He has been a regular visitor privately to the gardens and is passionate about the work the gardens undertakes for the benefit of the whole community.
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| Dr. Ian Cresswell (Member)
Dr Ian Cresswell is an Adjunct Professor at the School of Agriculture and Environment, University of Western Australia. He has extensive experience working in environmental science in biodiversity conservation and discovery, wildlife regulation, protected areas and oceans management. He was the co-Chief Author of the national State of the Environment Report 2021 and currently chairs the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Advisory Panel, the Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute, and the Australian Government Resilient Landscapes Hub of the National Environmental Science Program (NESP). He sits on the board of the Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, and the Tasmanian Land Conservancy.
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| Ms. Sophie Davidson (Member)
Delivering on ambitious goals by guiding historic brands to meet contemporary opportunities, Sophie has scaled positive impact and business growth locally and across the Asia Pacific, the United States and Europe. Her experience includes environment, climate, tourism, heritage, First Nations initiatives, international NGOs, social services and education. As a Non-Executive Director Sophie champions practical innovation, commercial acumen and ESG, with 10+ years' international, national and local governance experience across government, business and not for profit. In her down time you'll find Sophie recharging in nature - enjoying the Botanical Gardens with her family, walking in the Tasmanian wilderness or sailing the Great Barrier Reef. |
| Ms. Belinda Hazell (Member)
Belinda Hazell is Principal Consultant at Optimum Standard, a Tasmanian based consultancy business that was born in agribusiness. Belinda has been a farmer and works with farmers. She has a love for the land and how it is farmed, which has seen her become a leading advocate for the primary industry sector. Belinda has extensive Board experience at a National and State level, currently Emeritus Chair of Tasmanian Women in Agriculture, and a Board member of the Tasmanian Farm Innovation Hub. In 2018, Belinda was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to Investigate the use of horticultural QA Standards to stay ahead of social license demands. In 2021 she was the recipient of the Excellence in Women's Leadership Award for Tasmania and was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2022 for services to primary industry.
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| Mr. Philip Mussared (Member)
Philip Mussared was appointed as a member of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens Board by the Minister for Parks in February 2022. Philip held senior positions in the Commonwealth, NSW and Tasmanian public sectors, most recently as CEO of the Retirement Benefits Fund. Following the implementation of the State Government's public sector superannuation reforms in March 2017, Philip has pursued non-executive director opportunities. Philip is a former Chair of the Tasmanian Traineeships and Apprenticeships Committee, a former director of TasRail, a former director of Hobart International Airport, a former director of the National Trust of Tasmania and is currently Independent Chair of the Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania Audit and Risk Committee, Vice President of the Australian Risk Policy Institute and a member of the Tasmanian Heritage Council. Philip has been recognised as a Fellow by the AICD, CPA Australia and the Institute of Public Administration Australia. |
| Ms. Vanessa Pinto (Member and delegate for the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania)
Vanessa Pinto is the Chief Operations Officer of the Department of NRE Tas, where she leads the Strategy and Business Services division and provides corporate support and services to independent authorities including the Inland Fisheries Service, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, the Waste and Recovery Board and the Environment Protection Authority. Vanessa has forged a broad career within the private and public sectors in Tasmania and Western Australia through executive roles across brand, marketing, strategy, sales and business operations within the energy and civil services industries. Most recently in Tasmania, she has provided leadership within the ministerial parliamentary services and to corporate and strategic services across government including stepping in for 5-6 months in 2024 as Acting CEO Tourism Tasmania. With long-standing qualifications as an AICD graduate, Vanessa is a member of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens Board as well as a member of a number of inter-governmental committees.
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Management
- Director of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens - Mr Yann Gagnon
Strategic Plans & Annual Reports
Here you can access links to our Annual Reports, Strategic Master Plan and Living Collections Plan.
The Strategic Master Plan 2024 - 2044 is the overarching policy for a strategic framework that ensures the Gardens are sensitively and effectively managed. Through the Strategic Master Plan, the Board sets out a vision to manage the Gardens for the next 20 years.
The Living Collections Master Plan 2025 - 2035 provides strategic guidance for the long-term management, development and care of the Gardens’ living collections.
Click on the below links to download these resources:
Annual Reports