A variety of fruit and vegetables is grown at the Community Garden in Charnwood. Photo: ACT Government for both images
Community gardens in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are mostly located on public land, and give members a place to grow their own fruit and vegetables, and exchange gardening ideas and experiences. Organic methods – which can help improve soils – are encouraged and supported. Social benefits include increased access to fresh food, community learning, and a sense of belonging and pride in the community. These gardens also offer productive ways to use land that would be otherwise at risk of weed invasion, erosion and other degradation. The added vegetation also creates habitat values in the urban environment.
A review of community gardens undertaken in 2012, by what is now the Environment and Planning Directorate, reported a growing demand for community gardens in the ACT. It also highlighted positive social, cultural, health, economic and educational outcomes for participants – and the community more broadly – in addition to environmental and ecological benefits.
The review identified that at least 77 food-producing school gardening sites existed in the ACT, in addition to 17 community gardens. The latter mainly comprised fenced, individual plots, and organic or low-chemical cultivation methods. The variety of designs, intentions and governance/management arrangements in place indicated that there is no single ‘right’ model for a community garden.
The study found that effective cross-sectoral partnerships and access to information are integral to the success of these enterprises. Succession planning for managers/volunteers and having community gardens within walking distance of people’s place of residence were also identified as key issues for success. In 2015–16, the Environment and Planning Directorate made $25 000 available for individual small grants of up to $5000 for new or existing community gardens aimed at achieving a range of social outcomes. Ongoing funding is yet to be confirmed.
The Canberra Organic Growers Society (COGS), a not-for-profit organisation that encourages and supports organic gardening methods, is licensed by the ACT Government to operate 12 community gardens on government land in the ACT. The COGS garden at Holder has been in operation since 2001, and has a very active gardening community and about 57 plots of varying sizes. Casuarinas were planted to provide wind protection and shade for a communal orchard, herb garden, grapevines, raspberries and a vegetable patch. The garden also has a greenhouse, shed, barbecue, compost heaps and tools. Gardeners share the allotment with a range of passing native and non-native wildlife.
A group of Lyneham residents has started a slightly different venture in urban food production. Working with Territory and Municipal Services, they are setting up a shared food forest. The site is on a small piece of low-use public land behind the Lyneham Primary School, adjacent to Sullivans Creek stormwater drain and a short walk from the Lyneham shops. The first stage of works for the food forest, known as Lyneham Commons, will involve soil preparation and planting a variety of fruit trees. Approximately 30 fruit and nut trees and complementary plants, selected for resistance to pests and disease and to suit local conditions, will be planted during the next couple of years.
Sources:
a http://www.ecoaction.com.au/resources/community/edible-plants
b http://www.planning.act.gov.au/tools_resources/research-based-planning/demand_for_community_gardens_and_their_benefits
c http://www.environment.act.gov.au/cpr/grants/act_environment_grants
d http://www.cogs.asn.au/community-gardense
e http://www.cogs.asn.au/community-gardens/holder-garden
f http://timetotalk.act.gov.au/consultations/?engagement=lyneham-food-forest