Episode: Four
Date: 29th March 2008
Presenter: Nigel Ruck
Story Title: Community Gardens NSW

With Australia’s booming economy, the cost of our great Australian lifestyle is also booming, and the last thing many struggling families have time to think about is how they can create a nice backyard. The team uncovers a community based nursery in Sydney helping many families create their own retreat through a program called “Community Greening”, a very special project that brings so much enjoyment to many families in the area.
Community Greening
Community Greening is a joint initiative of the Botanic Gardens Trust (BGT) and NSW Department of Housing (DOH) to develop community gardens in public housing estates and on unused public land. Since it began, Community Greening has worked with disadvantaged communities promoting social cohesion, health and safety in both urban and regional NSW. The Greater Sydney Region currently contains 141 Community Greening projects of which two are fully operational community nurseries with others in planning.

Benefits To General Communities
Community gardens play a vital role in the social, physical and psychological well-being of local people. These benefits have been well researched and documented and include-

• providing a common ground for the interaction of people from diverse ethnic backgrounds and experiences, diminishing cultural boundaries and negative racial stereotypes
• allowing people of ethnically diverse backgrounds, young people and people with disabilities to integrate by engaging in common gardening activities
• giving immigrant participants a feeling of continuity with their homelands as gardening and cultivating produce is traditional in many cultures
• reducing food costs as well as providing a source of fresh food and medicinal herbs
• developing a sense of wellbeing, ownership and trust through participation
• relieving stress and providing a connectedness to the earth, developing personal creativity or a sense of participation in natural processes, as well as a sense of control or stewardship for the land
• creating local leaders who can advise and counsel others
• providing learning opportunities ranging from horticultural and permaculture skills through to event management, cooking and language
• building skills and knowledge within the community that may lead to economic opportunity
• teaching and encouraging the use of sustainable practices
• increasing people’s feeling of safety and security in areas where people may feel isolated due to fear of crime.

Benefits To The Nursery Volunteers
The nursery volunteers have expressed that participation –

• provides a safe escape from a stressful or hectic home and makes them feel calm and relaxed
• encourages to be more active and feel healthier
• is an enjoyable way to get to know your neighbours in a friendly atmosphere
• brings people together from different backgrounds and provides a sense of equality
• builds a sense of community through shared work and co-operation
• teaches new skills and increases awareness on environmental issues

Benefits To Residents
Residents have been able to –

• brighten up and transform their homes while learning about plants, gardening and the environment through practical experiences
• grow and gradually build up gardens which they could not otherwise afford to do, providing a sense of accomplishment, pride and ownership of their homes
• meet other members of the community who enjoy gardening and develop new friendships
• learn new skills and gather information to assist with living responsibly

Community meeting places such as this Community in NSW allow people to interact in a variety of ways and get to know each other whilst building community spirit. The positive profile of the community is lifted and all residents benefit as a result. Overall, the partnerships between the government agencies, corporate organisations and volunteers promote more sustainable and holistic responses to issues facing this disadvantaged community.

Contact
Stephen Paul
PH: 9231 8333
FAX: 9251 4403
WEB: www.housing.nsw.gov.au