The establishment in 2021 of a community garden in Gloucester has done much more than produce baskets of fresh food.
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It has connected the community, forged new friendships and created a lasting appreciation for healthy living.
"When this originally came to council the community was a little bit divided," Cr Katheryn Stinson said.
Speaking at the March MidCoast Council meeting, Cr Stinson said as a result, a two year trial was conducted, which ended this month.
During the meeting councillors voted in favour of a recommendation to continue the community initiative.
Located in Gloucester District Park between the tennis courts and swimming pool, council staff were initially approached by members of the Gloucester Community Garden (GCG) in May 2020 asking for advice on how to establish a community garden on council managed land.
The initial 12 months were spent setting up the facility with a further 12 months developing the garden.
The garden includes 10 wicking beds, which are now mature and producing a regular harvest, a composting system and a storage shed with attached potting shed to support operations.
"Having celebrated its second anniversary in late 2023 the garden has provided a social outlet for the community with over 50 members and more than 900 followers on Facebook engaged in the space," strategy and projects manager, Amanda Hatton reported.
"It is recognised that the Gloucester community garden offers a place where people can come together for social networking whilst demonstrating sustainable practices, thus resulting in health and wellbeing benefits for the community."
The community garden committee give back to the community.
- Katheryn Stinson
Cr Stinson, who wanted to give a shout-out to the GCG committee, described the project as a great asset for the community.
She said initially there had been concerns from some sectors of the community that it would be untidy.
"It is actually quite tidy," she said.
"The community garden committee give back to the community; they have share baskets where you can take things and swap."
Mayor Claire Pontin said the committee had done a marvellous job on a relatively small patch of land.
"It is amazingly productive and there is a lot of community coming together in that space and it is something we want to see."
Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
