Prahran, Windsor and South Yarra community push for new garden in Stonnington
With many people becoming green thumbs at home during lockdown, a group of gardeners want to create a hub to bring the community together and help the needy.
Inner East
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Inner city green thumbs are pushing for a new community garden to bring the community together following the coronavirus pandemic.
The Prahran, Windsor and South Yarra Community Garden Committee wants support to build the new garden in a prominent, easy-to-access location in Stonnington.
Its grand plan includes a composting hub for residents to drop off food waste, individual and communal growing beds, and trees, flowers and native plants honouring traditional landowners.
Group spokeswoman Clara Daley said the garden was “the most amazing opportunity” to connect the community and share knowledge through an environmentally-friendly and sustainable project.
“What we’ve learnt is they are real assets to the community and very special places which are completely unique in what they offer,” she said.
“We are noticing people are quite disconnected and lonely during COVID, and this is an opportunity to really connect them back together.”
Ms Daley said the group met fortnightly and was looking to identify under-utilised land to transform for the project, with the help of Stonnington Council.
She said 30 of the 42 candidates for the council’s elections this month supported more community gardens in the area.
Stonnington chief executive Jacqui Weatherill said the council was aware of the group’s pitch and excited about its plans.
Ms Weatherill said the council would take a closer look when its new councillors were sworn in and investigate options and locations.
“Community gardens are seen all over the world as a great way to generate stronger, more connected neighbourhoods, teach younger generations valuable skills, make use of open space and promote healthy lifestyle choices,” Ms Weatherill said.
Anyone wanting to join the project’s working group can do so by visiting the Prahran, Windsor and South Yarra Community Garden Facebook page.
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