❓ Question regarding the Liberal-National government's community garden program and its impact on social engagement. The Minister outlines funding and benefits of the program, highlighting specific projects and community involvement.
AnsweredQoN 335Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COMMUNITY GARDENS
335. Ms E. EVANGEL to the
Minister for Community Services:
I understand that the minister has recently approved funding
for the establishment of a community garden in North Perth. Can the minister
outline for the house how the Liberal–National government's
community garden program is encouraging greater social engagement across our
communities?
335. Ms E. EVANGEL to the
Minister for Community Services:
I understand that the minister has recently approved funding
for the establishment of a community garden in North Perth. Can the minister
outline for the house how the Liberal–National government's
community garden program is encouraging greater social engagement across our
communities?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Perth for her question and her
interest in community gardens. It gives me the opportunity to update the house
and what have you on this fantastic commitment from the state government.
As members are aware, the Liberal–National government
supports 145 non-profit organisations throughout Western Australia with an
annual budget of over $22 million a year. That is a part of this government's
commitment to the community sector. We have just announced 27 community garden
projects throughout the state of Western Australia to the tune of, I think,
$350 000, which is a fantastic initiative from this government. It was a
commitment we took to the election, and we are delivering on the commitment of
community gardens. Community gardens go a long way to enabling social
interaction, healthy living and bringing communities together through a little
corner block that is not being used in those communities. It is a fantastic
project. Eight projects were approved last year and 19 this year, making 27 in
total.
We had an overwhelming
response to the request for applications for this community garden program;
more than 200 applications have been received in the last two years. That
proves again what a great little program community gardens are and what a great
benefit they provide to our community. Very importantly, I think the member for
Kimberley will be very happy to hear that the Halls Creek community will be
getting a $20 000 grant to help establish a community garden. Also, the member
for Armadale will be happy to hear about the Champion Lakes kitchen garden
project at the Champion Lakes Regatta Centre. That one is a little different
from a standard community garden; there will be the planting of additional
fruit trees, vines and vegetables. It is what is called ''creative bush
tucker'', and it will basically help to educate both Aboriginal and
non-Aboriginal people at the Champion centre. It is a great use of a community
garden at a great centre in Armadale.
I expect to see the member for Wagin with his gloves and
pitchfork out in Kulin; $20 000 funding has been provided to establish a
community garden there. That is a great outcome for a great community. It shows
that regional and metropolitan areas have the opportunity to have a community
garden.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members! I can feel the excitement that people want community
gardens; I want to hear the minister.
Mr
A.J. SIMPSON : I will wrap this up by acknowledging the great work that is
being done. Grants of $20 000 are available for a new community garden, and $10
000 for an existing one. This is a great way to form partnerships with the
community. The only things the community needs to have are a commitment of land
tenure and local government support.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Mandurah!
Mr
A.J. SIMPSON : I acknowledge this great work. Community gardens bring the
community together, both young and old people, regardless of cultural
differences. I had the great opportunity last year to launch this in Joondanna,
where we had a great morning tea and saw a great community at work. This
program is part of the government's commitment to communities.
interest in community gardens. It gives me the opportunity to update the house
and what have you on this fantastic commitment from the state government.
As members are aware, the Liberal–National government
supports 145 non-profit organisations throughout Western Australia with an
annual budget of over $22 million a year. That is a part of this government's
commitment to the community sector. We have just announced 27 community garden
projects throughout the state of Western Australia to the tune of, I think,
$350 000, which is a fantastic initiative from this government. It was a
commitment we took to the election, and we are delivering on the commitment of
community gardens. Community gardens go a long way to enabling social
interaction, healthy living and bringing communities together through a little
corner block that is not being used in those communities. It is a fantastic
project. Eight projects were approved last year and 19 this year, making 27 in
total.
We had an overwhelming
response to the request for applications for this community garden program;
more than 200 applications have been received in the last two years. That
proves again what a great little program community gardens are and what a great
benefit they provide to our community. Very importantly, I think the member for
Kimberley will be very happy to hear that the Halls Creek community will be
getting a $20 000 grant to help establish a community garden. Also, the member
for Armadale will be happy to hear about the Champion Lakes kitchen garden
project at the Champion Lakes Regatta Centre. That one is a little different
from a standard community garden; there will be the planting of additional
fruit trees, vines and vegetables. It is what is called ''creative bush
tucker'', and it will basically help to educate both Aboriginal and
non-Aboriginal people at the Champion centre. It is a great use of a community
garden at a great centre in Armadale.
I expect to see the member for Wagin with his gloves and
pitchfork out in Kulin; $20 000 funding has been provided to establish a
community garden there. That is a great outcome for a great community. It shows
that regional and metropolitan areas have the opportunity to have a community
garden.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members! I can feel the excitement that people want community
gardens; I want to hear the minister.
Mr
A.J. SIMPSON : I will wrap this up by acknowledging the great work that is
being done. Grants of $20 000 are available for a new community garden, and $10
000 for an existing one. This is a great way to form partnerships with the
community. The only things the community needs to have are a commitment of land
tenure and local government support.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Mandurah!
Mr
A.J. SIMPSON : I acknowledge this great work. Community gardens bring the
community together, both young and old people, regardless of cultural
differences. I had the great opportunity last year to launch this in Joondanna,
where we had a great morning tea and saw a great community at work. This
program is part of the government's commitment to communities.
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