The garden's 25-year plan, revealed in 2014, included radical proposals for a five-star "Botanic Hotel", a new ferry wharf and Domain railway station, upgraded visitor information centre and a permanent soundshell for concerts in the domain.

The plan was met with widespread objection, not least from former prime minister Paul Keating and a majority of respondents in a Community Consultation Report who "expressed concern" at the perceived loss of public open space and commercialisation of the historic site.

On the eve of the garden's bicentenary, executive director Kim Ellis said the 25-step blueprint for the much-loved space was not being pushed ahead and that there was "absolutely, emphatically no major plan for any sort of major commercial development in the gardens and the domain".

"The draft masterplan that was put up for consultation is what I call a toe in the water. It was designed to engage with the community and get feedback.

"We've got that feedback," he said. "We're not planning on engaging with that masterplan until 2017, our 200th birthday is taking priority this year."

He said proposals will be revised in light of community comments.

"If nothing else, the masterplan reminded us that people genuinely care about these spaces," he said.

Instead, short-term projects to be completed within about 12 months include the activation of currently vacant spaces such as on-site cottages, with a tea room slated for the 1860s Victoria Lodge and a "potential reception centre or orchestra home" in the 1843 Domain Lodge.

He ensured that none of the prized area's green spaces would be taken away from the public.

"Every leaf has a friend. People love these spaces, people are very connected to them," he said, adding that government and garden managers tamper with them at their peril.

Monday marks the 200th birthday of the garden, the southern hemisphere's oldest scientific institution and a global leader in horticultural and botanical education.

As the gardens look towards a "digital future" and deeper links with Asia, The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust has planned a schedule of celebrations over the year. The $14 million Calyx glasshouse opens on Saturday, while on Monday morning, the Governor will host a tea party with NSW Minister for Environment. At 1pm that afternoon, a canon will be fired twice to represent the moment in 1816 when tools were finally downed on Mrs Macquaries Road. Artist Jonathan Jones' major installation, Barrangal dyara, will run for two weeks in September.

"It's truly remarkable that for 200 years this beautiful site on the harbour has remained untouched, the greatest legacy we could leave is that we leave it untouched for another 200 years plus," Mr Ellis said.