Gardening offers more than an opportunity to grow fresh food and flowers, say community gardeners. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
The ACT Government has launched the latest round of community garden grants as it looks to promote a circular economy and ditch fake grass.
Round 11 of the ACT Community Garden Grants Program provides $40,000 for community gardens around Canberra. Grants for local groups are available from $2000 to $10,000.
Projects must demonstrate one of four priorities set out through the government’s living infrastructure plan:
- Benefit the wider community
- Promote healthy living
- Promote a healthy garden through eco-friendly options
- Demonstrate the principles of a circular economy
One new priority to the long-running grants program also exists, the removal of fake grass.
Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water Minister Suzanne Orr launched the latest grants at the Narrabundah community garden.
Ms Orr said these spaces helped Canberra meet its climate goals.
“Community gardens help reduce the urban heat island effect in our suburbs, as well as supporting the ACT to cope with the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events,” she said.
“That is why we have added the removal of artificial turf as a priority of this program. Artificial grass can degrade into microplastics, displace natural systems that support biodiversity, and negatively impact greenhouse gas emissions and landfill.”
Grants are open for a variety of gardening styles, including traditional food gardens, indigenous bush tucker, landscape, and sensory gardens.
Twelve groups last year split $100,000 in funding. One of the beneficiaries, Old Narrabundah Community Centre, received $18,947 to improve fencing at the site.
Garden member Victoria Jewett said the space was important for locals.
“The community garden in Narrabundah is in the heart of our suburb. The garden is overseen by the Old Narrabundah Community Council Inc. which has a strong community base,” Ms Jewett said.
“The aim of the garden is to foster organic homegrown food and broader community involvement in the form of school participation and cooperation with local groups.”
For community gardeners, these sites are about more than having an allotment to grow food or flowers. The Canberra Organic Growers Society, which operates 12 gardens in the ACT, says administering these gardens requires a spirit of harmony, fair-mindedness and goodwill.
For Ms Jewett, the space is special.
“The garden is more than a place to grow food, it’s a place [to] enjoy and be.”
Ms Orr said the grant application period was open until 5 September.
“I encourage everyone who manages a community garden or is thinking of starting one, to apply for one of these grants, which will not only promote healthy living supporting our environment, but also encourage our local communities to come together, get involved, and socialise with their neighbours.”
Guidelines for applicants can be found on the government’s climate choices website
