We refer to MIFGS – the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show – The Council provides an annual grant to the Company of around $56,000 plus further funding to offset the event operating costs (approximately $63,000). In addition, fees are not charged for the hire of the park, however revenue is paid by the Company to Council in the form of a licence fee of $104,000. Further, the event organiser pays a refundable bond of $30,000 and an annual Public Projects Contribution to Parks Services of $30,450 (‘Sinking Fund’). All park reinstatement costs are the responsibility of the Company and are undertaken by Citywide. Furthermore – the lockout to the public has been increased to 18 days(plus). The Show was meant to move 40% of its high impact displays to the hard surfaces of the Royal Exhibition Building to save the gardens from further damage.In 1998, the CoM licensed MIFGS, to use the Gardens for horticultural exhibitions.  MIFGS has significantly changed since that time in both emphasis and types of stands/exhibitions. The changes have been both in the use of the Gardens for constructions and the preponderance of commercial, variety, and food and drink retail sales areas.  A review of the period from the original horticultural shows at Burnley, to its move into Carlton Gardens, to its present format, as described in the MIFGS exhibitors’ site plan, will demonstrate the extent of these changes.We are not in criticism of the show itself, however many questions remain unanswered… The Age gardening section 16/3/13 had this to say…Changes get the green light