Government help for community gardens

Eight organisations will share in almost $100,000 of State Government grants to maintain or start a community garden.

Local Government Minister Tony Simpson said $98,627 would go towards new gardens in Gosnells and Willetton, improvements to gardens in Victoria Park, Greenbushes, Mt Barker, Mandurah and Rockingham, and support to community gardens in Broome.

“As part of the Liberal National Government’s election commitments last year, we announced that grants of up to $20,000 would be offered to community groups or local governments to establish a new garden, or up to $10,000 to maintain an existing garden,” Mr Simpson said.

“Community gardens provide a sense of achievement and ownership for neighbourhoods where people can share ideas and skills. As we saw in Joondanna when we launched the grants last year, when communities come together to work on a garden, it creates opportunities for greater understanding between parents, young people and different cultures, and social opportunities for older people who may become isolated.”

Applicants had to show how the broader community – including a range of community organisations and agencies – can be actively involved in all aspects of planning and running the garden. Additionally, projects had to have sound planning and local government support.

The Minister said community gardens were a sustainable way for people who might not have room in small apartments or inner city backyards to grow food in their own suburb.

“Community gardens act as a hub for the community where people can come together, learn new skills and improve community connections,” he said.

“Gardens add life, colour and creativity and become a place for community gatherings, sharing stories, knowledge and ideas and increased self-sufficiency.”

Fact File
.The program fulfils a 2013 election commitment to provide $400,000 over four years for gardens in local government areas
.Grants are for planning, workshops, signage, infrastructure and community engagement projects
.Applications for the next round of funds ($100,000) open in late 2014

Grant recipients

1. Rockingham Regional Environment Centre Inc. – $10,000
To expand the Naragebup Community Garden with new shade cloths, upgraded reticulation, new compost bed bins and more gardens beds, including sensory gardens.

2. City of Gosnells – $20,000
Establish the Southern River Community Garden in collaboration with the community group Garden Gurus.

3. Victoria Park Community Garden Association Inc. – $5,060
Purchase banners to promote open days and improve garden paths to provide accessibility for gardeners in wheelchairs.

4. Rostrata Primary School Parents and Citizens Association Inc. – $15,850
To establish the Willetton Community Garden next to the school, including planning and design, basic infrastructure, development of policies and manuals, and holding showcase community events.

5. Greenbushes Ratepayers and Residents Association Inc. – $7,827
To expand the Greenbushes Community Garden to provide a storage area for soil, compost and mulch, install a pergola and frog pond and hold workshops on the pond’s development.

6. Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee Inc. – $10,000
Establish the Mt Barker Community Garden, install a water system, garden beds, fencing, gazebo and signage. Buy plants and shed and deliver gardening workshops.

7. Mandurah Community Gardens Inc. – $9,900
Host an open day and guest speaker at the garden, deliver Living Smart educational sessions for the community and build the capacity of the garden committee.

8. Broome Community Information Resource Centre and Learning Exchange Inc. – $19,990
The Incredible Edible Broome project will provide maps of community gardens in Broome, offer workshops about what and when to plant, host fresh food markets, buy mobile equipment and a resource library, and create a seasonal produce box business.