The ACT government has defended the use of paid parking at the National Arboretum Canberra, which has received more than $70 million in public funding.
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There is now 24-hour paid parking at the facility, which also hosts night-time events in its visitors' centre.
The parking is $2 an hour, with a daily maximum of $7.
Signs at the facility say all revenue raised from parking will go back to funding the arboretum.
A spokesman for Chief Minister Katy Gallagher confirmed that was the case.
''Money collected from paid parking at the National Arboretum helps to maintain the popular attraction and ensure access to parking at the arboretum remains available, especially during busy times,'' he said.
He confirmed the total budget for the arboretum now stood at $71,827,000. The federal government had provided $20 million of that total as its contribution to celebrating Canberra's centenary, with the ACT government funding the remainder.
''All the funds for the arboretum have been allocated, but there is still some works going on. But any additional money on top of that would go through a budget process,'' Ms Gallagher said.
Meanwhile, at a standing committee meeting on Friday, a representative for the arboretum said insurance coverage was being sought for the trees, but a final agreement on their value had not yet been reached.
''Right at this point in time, no [the forests] are not insured, but for the record it is a matter of just agreeing on the final premium,'' she said.
