A Shorten Labor Government will provide $400,000 to the Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens (SHBG) to build a new Education Centre.

The SHBG is a volunteer, not-for-profit establishing new Botanic Gardens in Bowral, with a masterplan that includes the gardens, a sculpture museum, function centre and the education centre.

The garden has continued to develop, and grow over the past decade and a half.

As this growth continues, it will provide a place in the local community that can be used for recreation, education and artistic and cultural events.

This funding will allow the Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens to take the next step in achieving its vision.

Development of the site is well underway, with Member for Whitlam Stephen Jones delighted to support the organisation in the next step of expanding the project.

The Education Centre will be built adjacent to the existing plant nursery and volunteer centre and will also provide light caf services for visitors it will also be made available as a Learning Centre for School excursions and other interest groups.

It will be used to educate young locals about native flora and fauna in the region and how to care for our environment.

The Southern Highlands Botanic Garden has attracted attention and support from the Southern Highlands Community and will over time become a tourism drawcard for the region.

Labor believes in increasing the amenity of regional centres through improved services and infrastructure and this project is a good example of that.

Investment in community infrastructure will create jobs, support the lifestyles and living standards of regional Australians and enable regional cities and towns to attract and retain population.