Garden project bringing the community together in Chigwell, Hobart

The community of Chigwell in Hobart, Tasmania, has welcomed the establishment of a community garden, funded under the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP).

Using RLCIP funding of $52,800, Glenorchy City Council has developed a community garden site, complete with garden beds, water supply, fencing, shelter and a communal storage container. The garden is nearing completion, and will be maintained by the local community management group.

Local resident and management committee member Jodi Tune says the Chigwell community is very pleased with the project, and locals have been keen to be involved.

“I had names and phone numbers of over 40 residents in the area that were interested in a community garden even before funding became available,” said Jodi.

“The residents here haven’t had to worry about the whole grant process,” explained Jodi.

“We’re lucky the Council have taken the project on board and set up the infrastructure for us.”

Previously a vacant block of land, the community garden site is now home to 49 garden beds, including four raised beds for wheelchair access, and there is room to expand that number in the future.

Twelve fruit trees have also been planted, and the community intend to use all available space on the site to grow.

Community members pay a fee of $5 for a garden bed in the first year, and then approximately $20 each year thereafter. Locals, including students from the nearby Mt Faulkner Primary School, have already begun planting vegetables and reaping the rewards.

Jodi explained that the school will have about six plots, and they are excited by the new project.

“They will start collecting their food scraps for the compost bin,” said Jodi.

“It’s encouraging kids to eat healthily, and see the process from seed to table.”

“The thing about community gardens is, that for the people involved, it creates ownership and a feeling of belonging within the community,” said Jodi.

“The worst thing that can happen is that someone will be eating healthy.”

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