Coffs Coast Local Food Futures Part A_Final Report - Coffs Harbour ...

Local Food Futures Project
NSW ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST
Grant Number 2008/USM/0008
Final Report, 15 th August 2012
Summary
Coffs Regional Community Gardens (CRCG) has transformed 1.25 acres of vacant parkland
into an active and productive community garden with a membership of 76 individuals and
families. Many of the members have joined the garden after involvement one of the 17
community garden workshop held thus far. The facilitated workshops are now held fortnightly
and include series of workshops providing an experiential hands-on learning environment
delivering skills sets which can be transferred to the home garden environment. The
Community Garden includes a large nursery; communal garden areas; individual allotments;
wetlands; children’s play area; pizza oven; water harvesting; a town water supply; waste
recycling and a subtropical and partially completed temperate food forest. Plantings of mulch
crops and green manures will provide a sustainable source of mulch over the coming years,
reducing the amount of external inputs required at the garden. Purchased and donated tools
stored in the small garden shed are freely available to members.
The energetic Management Committee have extended the influence of the community
garden into a large number of food based community projects at schools, childcare centres
and public locations as well as through a guest speaker program that has encouraged and
inspired other community groups to develop further community gardens in the area. The
CRCG has a presence at all major community festivals and events through stalls, public
speaking and demonstrations.
The CRCG has developed strong links with a variety of stakeholders including Coffs Harbour
City Council, local businesses, service and education providers and like-minded community
groups. These links have led to new projects such as the first Edible Streetscape Project in
Coffs Harbour (CHCC), Training programs for unemployed youth (Newtrain) and a proposed
Permaculture and employment skills program for emerging communities (East Boambee
Community Centre -pending funding approval). Local businesses have responded
generously and enthusiastically with material support and publicity for the project.