A NEW garden in the heart of Sunshine will provide fresh fruit and vegetables to vulnerable Brimbank residents.
Eighty per cent of produce grown at the Sunshine Community Garden will be distributed to the homeless, families in need and clients of the Salvation Army’s Sunshine Youth Housing project.
Proceeds from the sale of the remaining 20 per cent will be used to maintain the garden and fund future plantings.
The Devonshire Road garden, supported by WestCare, Salvation Army Support and Housing, Friends of Iramoo, paint company AkzoNobel and volunteers, was opened last Tuesday.
Committee member Ralph Salera says the project has transformed a run-down space into a vibrant community garden.
“We came together with the intention of turning this neglected ground into something beautiful that could be used to give something back to the community.
”It was the perfect place for a garden because when we examined the land there were sewerage pipes underneath, making it impossible for the property to be developed.”
Gardeners Karin and Stan Dickson have been weeding, planting and watering.
The Maidstone residents work at the garden five times a week.
“We’ve got a mix of veggies in,” Mrs Dickson said.
“There are cauliflowers, broccoli, lettuce, broad beans, tomatoes and snow peas. The strawberries should start sprouting soon.”
She said the garden would soon have a shed that could host seminars to teach primary school pupils how to plant and maintain herbs, vegetables and fruit.
“They can help us plant seedlings and when they come back to visit again they can take some of what we planted home to their families.”
Victoria University building and construction students built timber-bordered garden beds, while AkzoNobel provided paint to brighten up the garden’s surrounds.
The $20,000 project was funded by the council and federal government. Details: 93123544.
