Five community organisations will share more than $40,000 in ACT Government grants to create or improve Canberra gardens.

The Community Garden Grants program is now in its eleventh year. Since 2015, the government has provided $470,000 to 99 projects, giving hundreds of Canberrans the opportunity to learn, share and connect at their local community garden — whether Indigenous food-style garden, urban garden, or micro-forest.

“This year’s projects include native, sensory and food gardens, and even a garden for cultivating plants that can be made into fibres and dyes for making textiles, showing just how many and diverse the benefits of gardens are,” Suzanne Orr MLA, Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water, said.

This year’s recipients are: 

• Canberra Seed Savers Cooperative: creating a seed garden to grow food, based on zero-emission principles — $9,585.
• Rotary Club of Canberra Sundowners: upgrading a community garden with new wicking beds and better accessibility — $8,850.
• Canberra Spinners & Weavers Inc: growing plants for natural dyes and fibres used to make textiles — $8,200.
• Forest School P&C: creating a Serpent Sanctuary Garden with their Indigenous education officer — $7,500. 
• Northside Community Service: improving gardens at Treehouse in the Park Early Learning Centre and Majura Community Centre to produce more food and establish native sensory spaces — $7,057.

The program funds projects that benefit the wider community and encourage social inclusion; promote healthy living; promote a healthy garden environment and use of eco-friendly options; and demonstrate principles of the circular economy and zero emissions.

The Amaroo Community Garden received funding last year. Coordinator Jim Corrigan said the grant had given them “a really huge boost”. They built a new garden bed, established a permanent water supply and started composting organic waste with local students. This helped them grow more vegetables and share the produce with families in need in the Gungahlin area.

“Community gardens have a special place in the urban fabric of Canberra,” Ms Orr said.

Their benefits include “providing a place to grow fresh and healthy food, improving wellbeing through social connection, and helping us all to understand the importance of sustainable living and food security”, Ms Orr said

“For many individuals, these gardens are more than a place to grow food though. They provide opportunities for social interaction and physical activity and a place to connect with nature. They’re also helping the broader community by supporting pollinators and reducing the urban heat island effect.

“If there’s a community garden in your area, I encourage you to check it out, learn how you can get involved, or even consider ways that you can create your own garden,” Ms Orr said.

For more information about the Community Garden Grants program, visit the Everyday Climate Choices website.