FAQs
Raised vegetable beds – including individual garden beds for lease and community shared garden beds (wicking beds)
Wheelchair accessible garden beds
Composting bays
Fruit tree orchard
Greenhouse for propagating plants
Community edible native garden (in raised garden beds)
Tool Shed
Rainwater tank to provide water for the garden
Children’s play zone
Gathering Circle for events and activities
Non-edible pollinator attracting sensory garden
Shaded pergola area
What has changed from the previous Cove Community Garden concept plan released in early 2023 and why I am I being asked for feedback again?
Following the previous community consultation, taking the communities feedback on board the Cove Community Garden group (Cove Community Garden Inc) have moved the location of the community garden away from Madison Court to the central area of Perry Barr Farm reserve. This will enable the green space opposite Madison court to remain open, visible and usable to the local community. The new garden design is located to the rear of the buildings leased by the Lions and Scouts groups on the remaining imprint of the Perry Bar farm homestead building.
The garden will not be removing any of the existing heritage features of the farm homestead.
The group have removed the chicken coop following community feedback. Furthermore, the cubby house and mud kitchen have also been removed from their plan. Instead, it is proposed that the garden includes an open play area for children to use during garden open hours only. It has been proposed that the children's play area will have elements such as seating and nature play materials and will not include any fixed structures such as play equipment. The main access point to the garden will now be from the off-street parking area behind the building leased by the Scouts and Lions group and will include disability access.
We are now seeking your input on this amended design.
What is a community garden?
A community garden is a community space where residents can grow fresh produce including vegetables, fruit, flowers and herbs. It is also a place for building social connections and a shared sense of community and belonging while providing opportunity to learn new skills.
What is proposed for this community garden?
The Cove Community Garden Inc continue to work towards creating an inclusive, accessible and flourishing community garden.
It is proposed that the garden will include the following features:
Stage 1 (over approximately the first two years of operation)
Stage 2 (over approximately the first two to ten years of operation)
A visibly permeable fence will surround the community garden and it will be accessible to the general public on at least two days of the week. The community garden group will also aim to grow espaliered fruit trees or vines along the fence.
What will the community garden look like?
A concept plan has been prepared to give a sense of what the community garden will look like. In preparing the proposed design, the group has sought feedback from the local community through surveys and information sessions and the expertise of a local landscape designer. The Cove Community Garden Inc group have continued to revise and alter the design in line with community feedback which is reflected in the design presented in this consultation.
How will the community garden be managed?
Cove Community Garden Inc will manage the garden using organic gardening and permaculture principles. The group has prepared a comprehensive management plan and safety plan detailing how they would manage the garden safely. The group seek to create an inclusive, welcoming and accessible garden that includes people with disabilities and First Nation perspectives.
What is Council's role?
As outlined in the City of Marion Community Gardens Policy, Council takes a community development approach to community gardens where community groups manage the gardens themselves with support from Council and other organisations. Should the garden gain in principle support from Council for the use of the land and obtain the relevant approvals relating to the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act, Council will support Cove Community Garden Inc to manage the garden by preparing the site and assisting the group during the establishment phase. The group will be responsible for sourcing funding to build the garden. Once established, Council will monitor the community garden to ensure it is well maintained and kept tidy.
How will parking be managed?
There is an arrangement in place that, should the garden be approved, the existing parking space between the proposed garden and the Lions and Scouts buildings will be provided for use to the Community Garden Members and visitors. There are approximately 12 parking spaces behind these buildings and 15 parking bays in front of these buildings. This is adequate space for the number of expected visitors to the garden for regular garden days. Members of the community visiting the garden will be encouraged to use this parking area instead of street parking. The Cove Community Garden will ensure the garden open hours does not conflict with regular functions held in the Lions and Scouts buildings to avoid overflow parking. Any parking issues can also be raised through our Customer Service Portal where they will be investigated and addressed as necessary.
What will be the visual impact of the community garden?
The Cove Community Garden Inc group have conducted research on different options and locations of elements of the garden such as fencing, green houses and other structures to ensure there is minimal visual impact of the garden. The group has considered potential issues such as glare and have designed the garden to mitigate any of these potential issues. The group is considering fencing in a dark colour to reduce visibility and compliment the natural surrounds of the reserve. Their plans to grow climbing plants such as espaliered fruit trees and vines along the fence line will also minimise the visual impact of the fence. The Cove Community Garden Inc group are open and sensitive to community feedback on the colour/materials to be used in their structures which the group will take into consideration when selecting specific materials and products, and when engaging with contractors.