News

Nine diverse local community garden projects will receive funding as part of this year’s Community Garden Grants program.

Now into its eighth round, the grant program provides funding for community groups to buy materials and tools or hire contractors for work on new or existing community gardens across the ACT.

A total of over $41,000 will be shared across the nine successful recipients in this round of funding, who have been selected for their ability to help the environment and promote a sense of belonging to improve health and wellbeing across the city.

The Good Works Garden, located at Dirty Jane’s in Fyshwick, is an initiative between Argyle Housing, St Vincent de Paul Society and Dirty Jane’s. The garden will be run by volunteers and participants in the charities’ social inclusion and housing programs. It will include fencing, sheds, wicking beds and a compost facility.

Phillip Jones from St Vincent de Paul Society said the collaborative project would transform a long paddock into an accessible garden that could be enjoyed by people of all ages.

“Through the creation and cultivation of this garden we will create specific inclusion opportunities for residents of housing run by Argyle Housing and Vinnies,” Phillip said.

“The funding supplied as part of the Community Garden Grant program will be used to purchase materials for wicking beds including soil and mulch, composting equipment, garden tools and trellises to grow vines on the back wall.”

Jane Crowley from Dirty Jane’s welcomed volunteers to be involved with the project.

“Regreening our environment is always front of mind for Dirty Jane’s. We are mindful of being an active member of the community in which we are situated, Jane said.

“The garden has been designed with a focus on sustainability and repurposing. We are looking forward to seeing green thumbs working on the project soon.”

There are more than 100 community gardens scattered throughout ACT suburbs, providing a food source, empowering people to learn gardening skills, and connecting like-minded Canberrans.

The recipients of this year’s Community Gardens grants are:

• St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra Goulburn Ltd: Good Works Garden.
• Downer Preschool Parent Association: Downer Preschool Community Garden Project.
• YWCA Canberra: Spence Community Garden.
• Hawker Community Landcare: Hawker Community Garden Stage 2.
• Canberra Organic Growers Society Inc (Charnwood): Raised Garden Beds.
• Yeddung Mura (Goodpathways) Aboriginal Corporation: Yeddung Mura. Community Reflective Vegetable Garden.
• Council on the Ageing ACT: Towards Zero Waste in Hughes.
• Margaret Hendry Parents and Citizens Committee Incorporated: Margaret Hendry School Community Garden.
• Holy Spirit Parish, Gungahlin: Holy Spirit Community Garden – Sharing Skills to Grow a Sustainable Future.