All-abilities access at Oaklands Street Community Garden has become easier following the construction of 18 new garden beds delivered with funding received under Redland City Council’s community grants program.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the garden project was a great example of how Council’s grants program supports community initiatives across Redlands Coast.

“Council’s community grants program is designed to help those who have an exciting project idea bring it to life for the benefit of the Redlands Coast community,” Cr Williams said.

“With Oaklands Street Community Garden volunteers working on and planning fundraising activities all year round, I’m pleased we’ve been able to provide some well-deserved funding and support to such an invaluable community group.

Cr Rowanne McKenzie (front left) and Mayor Karen Williams (right) with volunteers at Oaklands Street Community Garden.

“The Garden, located in Alexandra Hills, received approximately $9000 in funding from Council for its proposed All-Abilities Access Garden Beds project.

“Educating community members on sustainable gardening and farming, connecting people with one another, and promoting the importance of wellbeing showcases how this group is dedicated to giving back to our community.”

Division 7 Councillor Rowanne McKenzie said the new garden beds would help raise awareness in the community about the importance of sustainable gardening and farming.

“Since 2005, when the community garden was established, volunteers have been trying to make the site an inspirational working model for community-led urban gardens and farms that promote the benefits of sustainability,” Cr McKenzie said.

“Built by people of all physical abilities, the garden beds will provide a new all-abilities area comprising 18 garden beds filled with gravel and organic garden soil and compost.

“By creating productive garden spaces, we may be able to contribute to a sustainable future and, in the process, add to the fabric and resilience of our Redlands Coast community.”

Oaklands Street Community Garden President Alison Hallett said the gardens were a welcoming and inclusive community place that brought people together to grow food, teach, learn, and share.

“Our community-based garden on Oaklands Street is designed to provide a safe space for people, young and old, and of all abilities to engage in and learn more about sustainable organic gardening,” Ms Hallett said.

“Without Council’s support, we wouldn’t be able to make garden improvements or deliver beneficial gardening activities, such as the All-Abilities Garden Beds project.

“The garden beds will be used to grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers and provide an area for community members to come together to build friendships while learning about sustainable gardening techniques.”

In another garden initiative, Ms Hallett said Oaklands Street Community Garden had commenced a composting trial with spent coffee grounds and was seeking more volunteers.

“We’re looking for volunteers to help with a new composting initiative by picking up spent coffee grounds from the Citron café in Wellington Point and its sister cafés and dropping them off into our compost.

“Not only will the initiative stop used coffee grounds from ending up in landfill but spent coffee grounds are known to be a great alternative for fertiliser to grow fruit and vegetables.

“If you’d like to get in touch about helping with the composting trial, please contact the Gardens at hello@oaklandsstcommunitygardenqld.org.”