COMMUNITY GARDENS SET TO BLOOM

  • 10 community gardens share $114,250 in grants

Community gardens across Western Australia continue to spring to life thanks to funding from the State Government.

At the City of Bunbury’s Withers Community Kitchen Garden today, Local Government Minister Tony Simpson announced $114,250 in funding under the Community Gardens Grants program would be provided to 10 gardens.

“Community gardens provide a vital hub for the local community,” Mr Simpson said.

“They are not just for the green-fingered. They provide people of all generations an area to come together, share a cuppa and a love of the great Western Australian outdoors.

“As well as enabling people to stay connected, community gardens give locals a chance to learn new skills and reap the physical, social and nutritional benefits of growing plants and produce.”

The latest round of funding will help with the purchasing and improvement of infrastructure, creation of more sustainable gardens and the promotion of workshops and events.

The Withers Community Kitchen Garden will use its $9,194 grant to construct a gazebo and retaining wall, to provide shelter and shade for the gardeners, visitors, school children and working groups who use the garden.

“Since its introduction, the program has provided more than $350,000 in grants for 27 community gardens projects throughout WA, with 11 metropolitan and 16 regional projects now under way,” the Minister said.

Under the program, up to $20,000 is available to eligible organisations to create a new garden and $10,000 to nurture an existing space.

Fact File

  • The program fulfils a 2013 election commitment to provide $400,000 over four years for gardens in local government areas
  • Grants are for planning, design, training, workshops, signage or infrastructure
  • For more information, visit https://www.dlgc.wa.gov.au

 

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