Published in The Advocate, Sunday 19 May 2024

By Sarah Fittock

The West Ulverstone community may soon be able to grow their own food.

That is if a request to the Central Coast Council for a community garden is approved.

The request, which was made by Health Consumers Tasmania (HCT) on behalf of Central Coast Gardens Growers, would see the garden blossom on three unused clay courts at the Ulverstone Tennis Club.

In a letter to Mayor Cheryl Fuller and Central Coast councillors Health Consumers Tasmania community engagement worker Lisa Kelly said the courts were “handed back to council by the Ulverstone Tennis Club some years ago” and are “currently unmaintained”.

“An initial, informal discussion with Ulverstone Tennis Club has been positive,” she wrote.

A report for councillors outlines a number of benefits the community garden would have including an increase in “practical skills to grow healthy food and promote healthy eating”.

“As the cost of fruit and vegetables increases, many people are seeking opportunities to learn how to grow their own food,” the report said.

It also said the community gardens would help with mental and physical health and social connection.

“Gardening and outdoor spaces support mental and physical health; reducing stress and assisting with emotional regulation, improved sleep and fitness,” the report said.

“The garden will provide a vibrant, friendly space for individuals and groups to meet new people, to have conversations and to share in its care.

“New residents and guests, people experiencing loneliness or who have hidden talents to share will be most welcome.

“It will be a place that anyone and everyone can belong and provide an inclusive space for garden related workshops and informal skill-sharing.”

The community garden would be located at Ulverstone Tennis Club if approved.

According to the report, HCT has undertaken “extensive community consultation” through a survey of the Central Coast community and determined there was a “strong support” for the garden.

Thirty-four responses were in support of the proposed community garden, 25 of whom showed interest in being involved, and 12 of whom would be willing to attend the garden on a weekly basis to help with maintenance.

The Central Coast Garden Growers would oversee the establishment of the garden and would be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the garden.

A Garden Steering Group would also be formed to guide the development.

“The garden will be designed with low-maintenance features including wicking garden beds for vegetable growing, a low maintenance native garden and paved areas,” the report said.

“These areas will be maintained by Garden Buddies, individuals and groups who will meet for regular, weekly working bees and at other times, depending on identified needs and opportunities.

“Further, the garden will enjoy longstanding community and group involvement, all hard landscaping will be easy to dismantle, remove and/or repurpose if required.”

Central Coast Council will discuss the proposal at its May 20 meeting.