Botanic Gardens of Sydney Commercial Model Review

The Challenge

Botanic Gardens of Sydney (BGS) manages a diverse portfolio of government-owned properties, many of which hold cultural, environmental, and heritage significance. To ensure long-term sustainability, BGS sought to strengthen its commercial model—generating revenue, using assets more efficiently, and aligning with government service delivery priorities. However, BGS was operating under legacy arrangements that limited flexibility and scalability. Leasing, property maintenance, and precinct management were constrained by outdated structures, making it difficult to unlock value from underutilised assets, attract external investment, or pursue joint ventures. At the same time, BGS faced growing fiscal pressure to improve its budget position while continuing to deliver core public services and maintain its reputation as a trusted steward of public land.

The Action

Polis Partners was engaged to conduct a structured review of BGS’s commercial operations and explore reform options. The work included:

• mapping current revenue streams and asset holdings
• identifying legislative and operational barriers to commercial activity
• developing options for partnerships, leasing reforms, precinct activation, and revenue-sharing models
• testing governance and risk-sharing structures
• aligning proposals with treasury’s commercial policy framework and inter-agency protocols.

The review drew on benchmarks from similar agencies across Australia and was tailored to BGS’s unique role, risk appetite, and public value mandate.

The Results

The final framework has provided BGS with a clear, evidence-based pathway to enhance its commercial capabilities while maintaining its public service ethos. It supported internal decision-making on asset use, precinct planning, and service reform, and positioned BGS to engage constructively with Treasury and DPC on implementation. The analysis clarified where new revenue models could be responsibly adopted and outlined practical steps to strengthen financial sustainability across BGS’s portfolio—ensuring the Gardens continue to thrive as both a public institution and a well-managed asset base.