Community garden network is growing

6 May 2010

The City's network of community gardens is set to grow with the proposed introduction of a site in Redfern.

Under a plan to be considered by Council next Monday night, new beds for growing flowers, fruit and nut trees will be established in James Street Reserve, taking the total of community gardens to 14.

Community gardens are public open spaces managed by local residents, primarily for the production of food.

The concept has been popular with gardens established in Alexandria, Newtown, Waterloo, Glebe, Pyrmont, Annandale and Woolloomooloo.

"Community gardens give city residents, particularly children, a chance to dig and plant and watch things grow. It's very therapeutic for city people to be able to get dirt under their fingernails. Friendships happen in community gardens," said Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP.

"We're pleased to be working with the James Street Reserve Community Gardens Committee to create a new garden for Redfern and have been in discussions with local residents and businesses.

"The community gardens program teaches us about sustainability and how to grow our own food close to home. It encourages us to work together to green our City and look after our environment," said Ms Moore.

This garden is the first to be considered since the introduction of the City's Community Gardens Policy, adopted in February this year.

The Policy describes in detail the benefits of community gardens, the services and support provided by the City, the rights and responsibilities of gardeners and the process for establishing new gardens.

An $8,000 grant has been awarded to the James Street Reserve Committee in the first round of the City's 2009/10 "Community Gardens and Greening the Village" Matching Grants Program.

For more information about the City's community gardens or to enquire about establishing your own, please visit: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/communitygardens

Media Contact: Keeley Irvin (02) 9265 9106 or kirvin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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