Growing Communities

As Australian communities become increasingly urbanized and distanced from the natural world, the need to bring people together to explore notions of sustainable and healthy living becomes more urgent.

Community gardens are places for learning, getting healthy and healing the environment, while relaxing and having a good time. They play an important role in developing community connectedness, providing vital social contact within an environment that fosters participation and autonomy. Through the productive and aesthetic use of urban open spaces, community gardens contribute to the sustainability of our cities and enhance their appearance. Other social enterprises, including food co-ops and growers markets, often sprout from community gardens and there are successful models of this in cities throughout the world. Surplus food produced in the garden brings the community together to celebrate and share their harvest. It can also be distributed to disadvantaged groups or sold as part of a community business.

Growing Communities is aware that not everyone is a gardener and yet, with the right support and guidance, a productive and attractive garden is achievable. Growing Communities employs educators, garden support workers and permaculturalists to assist in developing skills for maintaining the garden and ensuring its ongoing sustainability. We also encourage partnerships to facilitate the day-to-day operation of the garden and its integration within community groups.

Growing Communities’ services to schools, community organisations, government bodies, businesses and individuals include: