The City of Whittlesea is looking to support residents wanting to set up a new community garden.
We have developed a 10-week training program, Gardening Together Again, that will provide you with the skills you need to help you create and maintain a thriving community garden for your local area.
The program will cover:
Gardens who participate will also be able to apply for seed funding for a small garden infrastructure project and funding for an event with the community at your garden.
If you are already part of a community garden in the City of Whittlesea, you can also be part of this program. Up to two members from each existing community garden can apply for the program to support you and your group reinvigorate your garden.
The Gardening Together Again 10-week program will run weekly from April – June 2022, with a celebratory event at the conclusion of the program.
The program will be run by Cultivating Community, a non-profit and accredited social enterprise that currently manages 21 community garden locations across Melbourne on behalf of the Department of Family, Fairness and Housing, six community school based gardens and two food centres.
To apply, please complete the expression of interest application form below.
Community gardens are a place where people can come together to grow and share food, to learn, relax, reflect and make friends.
Community gardens provide a range of social, physical and environmental benefits including:
To help community groups establish community gardens on Council owned and managed land, we have developed a Community Gardens Policy.
Community groups must complete the following steps to establish a community-driven community garden on Council owned or managed land:
Eligible groups
Community groups looking to establish a community garden on Council owned and managed land, must:
If your group is interested in becoming incorporated, grants of up to $1000 are available through our Community Development Grants.
Conditions
The group is responsible for all associated costs arising from:
The lease agreement may be revoked or not renewed if:
To establish a community garden on private land, you will need to contact the land holder directly. Privately owned or managed land falls outside this process.
Location
Community gardens need to be accessible for all residents, including seniors and people with a disability.
Successful gardens are easily accessible to the community on foot, by bike or public transport and are located close to other facilities including:
The Horticultural Therapy Association of Victoria's Resources page has further information about creating an accessible garden for people with a disability.
Resourcing
Community gardens can be costly to set up and all community groups should aim to be financially independent to help ensure the long term sustainability of the garden.
Funding can be sourced from grants, donations, fundraisers or partnerships with businesses and health care providers.
Operation and governance
While there is no right or wrong way to manage a community garden, community gardens are most successful when the rights and responsibilities of all members are clear and developed together.
Community groups should agree on a set of guidelines that outline the how the garden will function including:
All group members should try to make the community garden an inclusive and welcoming place to visit.
Your local Community Development Officers can provide advice and guidance around establishing good governance processes.
Promoting your community garden
Promoting your garden is a great way to attract new members and let the community know what you are doing.
We will support successful applicants to construct and install a sign for the garden.
You can also add your community garden to our online Community Directory