More than 400 people are waiting on approval from Central Coast Council to start a Community Garden near the Terrigal 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre on Duffys Rd, Terrigal.
Several weeks ago, the group lodged a development application (DA) with Council and is looking forward to receiving a licence to use the public land.
Auspiced by the Terrigal Neighbourhood Centre, the gardeners obtained a NSW government grant and had a meeting with Council more than a year ago to begin the process.
President Marianne Hamilton said a group of locals met on a rainy morning in Terrigal about two years ago and resolved to create a community garden.
“After lockdowns and social isolation, it was time to bring the community together to grow food, share produce, learn about sustainability in a changing world and regain social contact,” Hamilton said.
“We formed a committee of hardworking individuals, held a number of fundraising events with the support of locals and businesses and investigated possible sites for our garden.”
The Terrigal Community Garden Facebook group currently has 427 members and they meet on the first Friday of the month at 11am at Terrigal Marine Discovery Centre.
“We welcome new members even if they do not live locally and we appreciate their support,” Hamilton said.
“Both the Federal MP, Gordon Reid and State MP, Adam Crouch, are behind us in this endeavour.”
The Terrigal group is a member of the Combined Community Gardens Group on the Central Coast.
“They have provided invaluable advice and we have learned a lot about community gardens from their experiences,” Hamilton said.
“Central Coast Council encourages community gardens and this is an opportunity for the Council to help us create a community hub and to fulfill residents’ needs.”
The proposed garden is to be located within a cleared lawn area, adjacent the existing community hall on the corner of Terrigal Dr and Duffys Rd.
To the south is the sports stadium, tennis courts, BMX track, preschool and car parking, with Duffys Oval to the east and Terrigal Waters Village to the west.
“The community garden will encourage developing relationships with other community groups including local pre-schools, who have already expressed interest in the proposal,” the DA says.
good luck,l walk my dog there every day.no sun, good luck growing anything