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

The Edible Streetscape along Combine the Combine Street Reserve is the first of its kind
(date set for Fathers Day 2012). This partnership between Coffs Harbour City Council and
the CRCG will develop a resource of well cared for fruit trees for community use. Many
residents view food as a commodity to be traded from unknown sources and purchased at
supermarkets. The community garden project demonstrates an alternate view – that food can
be grown and consumed and enjoyed locally with all the environmental benefits that this
brings.
Delays/ Difficulties Encountered and Modifications Implemented in Response
Securing appropriate site for community The CRCG worked closely with the staff of the
Coffs Harbour City Council to identify potential areas of land appropriate for a Community
Garden in Coffs Harbour since 2009. Four potential sites (England Park, Coffs Harbour
Showgrounds, Coffs Harbour pool area) were identified and assessments were carried out.
Local Food Alliance guest speaker Russ Grayson of the Australian City Farms & Community
Gardens Network facilitated a public site assessment on the first site, which became the
model for later assessments. At each site barriers were identified and the CRCG was unable
to proceed.
At the fifth and current site on the Combine Street Reserve the project was initially met with
strong resistance from the local residents whose properties bordered the Reserve. They felt
that their lives would be disrupted by activities on site and were concerned that the project
might be short term leaving an unsightly mess when it ended. The CRCG met with residents
on three occasions for public consultation and made itself available for private discussions
with individual residents. Residents were invited to join the Management Committee and
contribute to the planning and in order to ensure that their concerns were considered. Written
material was developed to address the neighbours concerns and distributed to 200 residents
in surrounding streets. A highly effective 3D concept plan was created which allowed the
residents to visualise the proposed Community Garden. By maintain open communication
channels and addressing concerns as the arose, the CRCG was able to demonstrate to the
residents that the Community Garden would be adding value to the vacant land and improve
their local community. At this stage of the project we have the support of residents, although
only minimal active involvement in our activities. All planning decisions that may impact upon
their property or enjoyment of the park are taken in consultation with the residents. We have
developed positive and trustworthy relationships with these residents and now have their
support. This has resulted in generous donations of materials from these residents.
Delays to work on site- The lease to the Combine Street Reserve site was not secured until
12 th May 2011and work was commenced in April of that year. One of the initial tasks was to
erect a fence to secure the site whilst building was carried out.
Wet weather impacted upon the initial building work at the site causing delays in initial
projects. The site which is set back from the road was very difficult to access by for vehicles
transporting materials and construction of a Council approved service road was financially
prohibitive. Future periods of wet weather will impact upon the movement of materials to the
site however progress on the will be less affected. The CRCG has developed much of the
infrastructure and garden areas and now creates many of the materials needed by gardeners
on site, including compost, green and liquid manures and has also commenced growing
mulches. Further projects such as the wetlands stage two, which requires heavy rock
material will be carried out during dryer periods of the year to avoid this issue.
Engaging volunteers and members of the public took a great deal longer than expected. The
membership consisted of a small and dedicated group of people who developed our Plan of
Management, Environmental Management Plan, planning and supporting documents and
promoted the Community Garden concept to the wider community. These volunteers were
the involved in initial building and gardening work on site but progress was initially slow.
There was tremendous support for the project as demonstrated by a 500 strong petition in