The garden expansion will include individual plots, large compost areas, an orchard and food forest, shared display gardens and a large communal area with shade and seating.
Council will be partnering with City West Water in the development of the Braybrook Community Garden Expansion. The garden will be a case study for the Greening The West program contributing to a healthy, greener west.
The partnership is an exciting opportunity for the Braybrook Community Garden to promote water wise and sustainable gardening practices, local food production and increasing local vegetation and tree coverage. City West Water will be contributing $25 000 towards garden infrastructure and promoting the garden though their website www.healthyurbanhabitat.com.au.
Timeline of Braybrook Community Garden:
March 2012:
A draft plan for the garden has been developed from the four concepts at the design workshop. The plan includes an orchard and shared herb gardens, display gardens, substantial space dedicated to garden beds for edible plants such as vegetables and herbs, a communal area with shade structures large enough for group events, seating, an outdoor kitchen and storage space. A glasshouse is also planned, and some areas will be replanted with indigenous grassland species to encourage local bird life.
 |
| Draft Concept Plan for the Braybrook Community Garden Expansion |
February 2012:
In February an open design workshop was conducted with interested community members who had responsibility for creating four concept plans for the garden. This workshop followed a series of meetings in January to determine the brief for the garden which included designing with the local environment in mind - the gum trees, the sky and bird life. Existing positive attributes of Braybrook fostered in the designs included:
- Local indigenous culture and food history
- Open neighbourhood, kids play freely
- Variety of skills and different ways of doing things
- Multicultural, diversity of people
- Different reasons people come to Braybrook and to the community centre
- The existing community garden
The concepts were varied, but had common elements and some common layouts: |
| Concept featuring xxxxxxxxxx |
 |
| Concept featuring xxxxxxxxxxxx |
January 2012:
A series of community meetings were held to discuss what shape the garden expansion could take. A garden design brief was developed from the meetings, and includes:
The aim of the Braybrook Community Garden expansion is to increase the available gardening space at Skinner Reserve, and be complimentary to the existing garden area. The community garden will be:
- Inclusive to all who would like to use the space for gardening, or as a place to go
- Be accessible to all, and have accessible design and access
- Be a safe, family friendly place
General principles:
Most of the garden to be fenced, with gate access for vehicle deliveries
Must be accessible to all with some raised garden beds and wide paths for wheelchairs
Good signage and be seen from the street
Look visually exciting, have art inclusion
Variety of seating throughout the garden area
Water sensitive design
Elements in the garden will include:
Communal Areas:
Gathering space – have it set out to allow for meetings and multipurpose use with:
Covered, sheltered area from sun and rain
Tables and chairs, long benches
Cooking area and bbq, fridge and tea/coffee making facilities
Water and electricity
Rubbish bins
Covered, sheltered area from sun and rain
Tables and chairs, long benches
Cooking area and bbq, fridge and tea/coffee making facilities
Water and electricity
Rubbish bins
Shared garden areas:
Indigenous garden where indigenous food and medicine plants can be grown
Herb garden
Seed raising area – poly-tunnel or glasshouse
Compost bins
Bird baths and feeders
Kids gardening area
Include an Honour Garden with tree plantings in memory of people
Fruit trees, nut trees, orchard/food forest
Lock up for tools etc (shipping container?)
Indigenous garden where indigenous food and medicine plants can be grown
Herb garden
Seed raising area – poly-tunnel or glasshouse
Compost bins
Bird baths and feeders
Kids gardening area
Include an Honour Garden with tree plantings in memory of people
Fruit trees, nut trees, orchard/food forest
Lock up for tools etc (shipping container?)
Individual Plots:
40-50 individual plots, average size to be 8m²
40-50 individual plots, average size to be 8m²
Maribyrnong City Council has committed $34 000 to fund the expansion of the Braybrook Community Garden. The existing garden will remain, and a more extensive garden area established.
