A Spring Mountain neighbourhood has successfully converted an unused plot of land into a thriving garden now open to the public.
It is a testament to healthy and constructive community engagement between local advocacy groups.
Resident Cassie Boulter, who has worked on the project since its inception, announced the opening of the Spring Mountain Community Garden in November, following a major working bee.
As a Spring Mountain State School parent, Cassie spearheaded the initiative on behalf of the Parents and Citizens Association (P&C), following a suggestion by the school principal.
“[The land] is actually a part of the Spring Mountain State School,” Cassie explained.
“Because of the slope of the land, the kids are not able to play on it, so the principal of the school asked if the P&C would like to start a community garden with the space, instead – to help foster a good relationship between the school and the community.”
She thanked the efforts of volunteers from the community, including local residents, the Spring Mountain State School P&C Association, the Springfield Lakes Community Centre, Hedge Property Services, and Lendlease.
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Currently, the community garden features 14 garden beds and a cleared area for another four.
“We would love for families in the community to put their hands up to adopt a garden bed and keep it thriving,” Cassie said.”
So far, the fruit tree section of the garden includes saplings of lemon, lime, mandarin, orange, blood orange, tangelo, and mulberry – each perched in their own cyan-coloured tyre.
The area also includes a greenhouse, a water tank, a shed of tools and supplies, compost bins, and a worm farm – and it even has a stingless beehive, donated by Nativo for both for pollination and for educational purposes.
Moving into Stage 2, the project group now plans to form a committee, and is asking for continued help and support.
“We would love to set up a Community Garden committee where people can take on some of the roles to keep seeing our garden grow,” Cassie said.
“We are now looking for help to bring this community together to make this garden a thriving success and continue its improvement.
“We would like to apply for grants in 2023 to hopefully install a pathway, overpass, yarning circles and more garden beds but need some help.”
The Spring Mountain Community Garden is located along Dubai Circuit, Spring Mountain. You can contact members and get involved by searching ‘Spring Mountain Community Garden’ on Facebook.
