The 'Friends' are an incorporated organisation made up of enthusiastic volunteers dedicated to the establishment of a Gold Coast City Botanic Gardens.



In mid-1998 a small group of like-minded individuals with a common goal met and formed a steering committee led by Kate Green. Regular committee meetings followed with the first general meeting in May 1999, not long after we made our first proposal to the Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) Co-ordination Committee.



The Council Co-ordination Committee subsequently made a decision to work with the Friends to find and dedicate a suitable site. Prior to this commitment from council we also received support from key individuals and organisations within the Gold Coast community.



In Late 1999 Council initiated the Site Selection process with the the help of Laurie Smith of LandPlan Studios. The resulting report was tabled at a Community Services Meeting in May 2000. Rosser Park was selected as the most suitable site based on criteria of international standards. A Reference Group was formed in early 2001 with representitives from the Friends, the community and Council. During 2001 to 2002 a Master Plan for the Rosser Park Botanic Gardens was developed by Council and Laurie Smith. The planning process involved consultation with the wider community through a number of forums and a questionaire. In 2003 and early 2004 the first steps towards establishing the gardens were taken by the Friends group and community members during a number of successful planting days