Application & Agreement form - Research & Scientific study

Conditions for Approval and Use and Health and Safety

Conditions for Approval

1. Approval must be sought from Dunedin Botanic Garden before undertaking or setting up any research/scientific study.
2. A short description (refer Section 1) is required outlining the project, target species or area, the potential outcomes, details of methodology around research components, required location, start date and duration of programme. The applicant will be advised whether further information or references are required at time of request.
3. Studies within Dunedin Botanic Garden are bound by; the requirements of the Convention on Biological Diversity; National animal welfare standards, standards of ethics and; any specific control agreements adopted by the applicants sponsor organisation and/or agency. A copy of the sponsor organisation’s obligatory agreements must be supplied to the Botanic Garden or proof of these having been approved and granted is to be acknowledged in this application by the research project supervisor/sponsor.
4. Where scientific publications are produced and include the research undertaken at Dunedin Botanic Garden, wherever practical the applicant is requested to send a copy of the research paper or as an alternative, the abstract, or the link too or name of any publication the research study is to appear. The Botanic Garden should be cited within all such instances.
5. The Botanic Garden reserves the right to place additional conditions of use immediately prior to or during any approved research work within the Garden, these will be discussed and advised and will be added to form part of an extended agreement.

Specific Conditions of Use

1. Research is permitted in the Botanic Garden during hours of business – weekdays 8am-4.30pm, or outside of those hours as authorised and noted as part of this agreement
2. No access is allowed into planted beds/borders or off tracks and paths into bush areas unless authorised and noted as part of this agreement
3. No use of ladders, unless authorised and noted within the approved Project agreement.
4. All instruments and devices to be used or set up in the Garden for the purposes of this project must be described in full in Section I, e) above. This includes whether they are used only while in attendance or set up in situ and unattended for the duration of the research period. If approved, a sign is to be placed on or nearby identifying who it belongs to, a contact number and the purpose it’s there (e.g. this is a research project of the [insert organisation name here], please do not disturb).
5. If any change is made to the extent of research, and/or methodology, inform the Botanic Garden Representative for authorisation and noting as an addition to this agreement
6. Be aware of and considerate to, all other garden visitors and ensure no area is blocked off or people are not excluded from passing through the area research is being undertaken in unless otherwise approved.

Health and Safety

1. As the researcher or research team is conducting business on Dunedin City Council property, a Health and Safety Plan is required.
2. Wear or carry approved identification at all times
3. If questioned or challenged while undertaking research, show identification and give explanation to your activities. Do not engage in debates beyond the scope of the project and redirect all other inquiries to the Botanic Garden representative
4. Research Team members must be aware of the following hazards:
   1. Where parts of the Garden may be barriered off by a contractor or Botanic Garden staff member, strictly no access is allowed for any reason.
   2. In windy conditions, keep away from inside of the drip line of large trees.
   3. Should an emergency situation occur, the research team must follow the direction of Botanic Garden staff or instruction in the Health and Safety Plan
5. All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to the Botanic Garden Representative immediately.
6. Access to the research location - please note, the Botanic Garden is a work site with large and small vehicle/machinery movements so all due care and caution must be taken when walking onto and around the site.
7. A site induction will be required prior to the start of the research project.

Specific requirements for this research programme

1. Maintain and keep tidy the research project work site the study specimens, tools, personal equipment and items used as part of the project and in good condition throughout the duration of the project
2. Ensure any specific industry or organisations standard protective clothing requirements and medical treatments are available at all times.
3. Ensure all experimental work is undertaken within the agreed site.
4. All additional personal assisting must be advised and inducted before entering the research site.
5. Emergency contact details of all parties to be provided to the Botanic Garden Representative.
6. Adherence to any separate attachments supporting the research programme or additional conditions of use.