We asked for your feedback on a proposal for a community garden at Annam Road Reserve, Bayview. The proposal was exhibited between Wednesday 26 April and Sunday 28 May 2023 and received 39 submissions.

In response to the feedback recieve, some minor amendments were made to the proposal, including repositioning the proposed garden area to reduce potential impacts on neighbours and to attract more sunlight into the garden.

The amended proposal and a report on the outcomes of engagement, including a copy of all submissions received, was presented to Council at its meeting on Tuesday 24 October 2023, where Council endorsed the proposed community garden.

• View the Council Minutes (Item 13.1, page 9).

Our Parks & Recreation team will continue to work with the community garden group as they progress with establishing the garden.

Background

At the 28 March 2023 meeting, Council resolved to exhibit a proposal for a community garden at Annam Road Reserve, Bayview. View the minutes here.

Community gardening is a recreational activity that contributes to the health and well-being of our community as well as providing a range of environmental, social and educational benefits.

A group of residents submitted an application to establish a community garden of approximately 450m². The garden group intends to:

• grow organic produce (fruit and vegetables) and flowering plants
• promote sustainable lifestyles
• provide a neighbourhood meeting place and opportunities for social interaction
• promote physical activity.

The draft Review of Environmental Factors (REF) indicates that any potential impacts are minor or negligible with the mitigation measures proposed.

Community consultation

The proposal was exhibited between Wednesday 26 April and Sunday 28 May 2023, and received 39 submissions.

The majority of submissions were supportive of the proposal or supportive with changes. Key themes raised through submissions included:

• benefits of community gardens, e.g., social, health, environmental and sustainability
• position of community garden within the reserve
• environmental and aesthetic concerns
• concern about trespassing on private accessway between the reserve and the golf course
• access, parking and lack of supporting amenities.

In response to submissions, some minor amendments were made to the proposal, including repositioning the proposed garden area to reduce potential impacts on neighbours and to attract more sunlight into the garden.

A report on the outcomes of engagement, including a copy of all submissions received, was presented to Council at its meeting on Tuesday 24 October 2023.

• View the Council Report (Item 13.1, page 139)
• View the Report Attachments (Item 13.1, page 606)
• View the Community Engagement Report.