Fears Melbourne's 'sacred botanical site' could shrink, taking a slice of history with it

By Bridie Smith Science Editor
Updated December 12 2016 - 10:18am, first published November 29 2016 - 3:37pm
Melbourne University's system garden, circa 1870. The top of the conservatory tower can be seen above the domed roof. Photo: State Library of Victoria
Melbourne University's system garden, circa 1870. The top of the conservatory tower can be seen above the domed roof. Photo: State Library of Victoria
Trevor Pitkin outside the system garden's conservatory tower which dates back to 1856 - three years after the university was established.  Photo: Penny Stephens
Trevor Pitkin outside the system garden's conservatory tower which dates back to 1856 - three years after the university was established. Photo: Penny Stephens
Trevor Pitkin in the north-west corner of Melbourne University's 160-year-old system garden, which is set to make way for a new building. Photo: Penny Stephens
Trevor Pitkin in the north-west corner of Melbourne University's 160-year-old system garden, which is set to make way for a new building. Photo: Penny Stephens
Australian Garden History Society member Trevor Pitkin in the system garden at Melbourne University. Photo: Penny Stephens
Australian Garden History Society member Trevor Pitkin in the system garden at Melbourne University. Photo: Penny Stephens
Melbourne University vice-chancellor Glyn Davis. Photo: Wayne Taylor
Melbourne University vice-chancellor Glyn Davis. Photo: Wayne Taylor

One of Melbourne's oldest gardens, laid out when the colony of Victoria was just two years young, is under threat from building works which could swallow up about 10 per cent of the remaining grounds.

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