Guide to Planning a Community Garden

Site

• Who owns it? (if it is Council land, permission must be sought from the General Manager prior to the submission of the DA) What is it currently used for?
• What is the zoning? (eg church, school, state government owned, road reserve, open space etc)
• Will the project conflict with the current land use?
• Is there a flooding issue?
• What size area is needed? What size is available?
• Is there good access to the site?
• Is there access to public transport?
• Is there good northern light? Is there protection from wind? Is there a good water supply?
• Will you require a licence agreement?
• What will the garden look like?
• What is the surrounding land use?
• What is the current ground cover (concrete, grass, gravel etc)?
• Does it have a weed infestation?
• How much of the site is really suitable for a garden?
• Are there existing structures? Are there existing services?
• Are there major roads nearby (pollution, noise)?
• Is the site safe for small children?

Context 

Include a labelled aerial photograph (Google earth) showing the location and local context, existing types of residential structures (high density, free standing dwellings etc), existing structures, existing trees and footpaths etc. 

Location

• Is it in an area that has plenty of passive surveillance (eyes on the streets)?
• Is it busy?
• Is it near transport and shops?
• Is it on a path that is used regularly?

Demographics

• Who lives in the area?
• What is the age group?
• Are there a lot of people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds?
• What is the employment level?
• Do they rent or own their own homes? 

Neighbours

• What is the locality? How will you integrate with the local community?
• Is there a way of working with them that will advantage your project (collaborative projects and ideas, minimisation of vandalism, access to resources or funding etc
• Will there be excessive noise?
• Will there be access for non-gardeners?
• Will gardeners cause a parking problem? 

Integration with local community

• Consider including local groups such as CALD, disabilities, church, local schools, unemployed groups, general community.
• Also consider the ramifications of housing types in area and the needs that may result.
• Are there local businesses nearby that might be interested in supporting a community garden (nurseries, restaurants)?

Partnership with the City of Ryde

• Will the garden partner with Council for waste education, water conservation, biodiversity, energy efficiency, nutritional health, native plant and wildlife education etc?

Vandalism

• What strategies will you employ to minimise vandalism?
• What level of theft is acceptable?
• How secure is the site? Is it near other community facilities? Can it be easily seen from nearby shops or houses? Is there lighting?
• What is the crime rate in the area?
• What are the ramifications of a high fence (2m)/low fence (1200mm), locked gate/unlocked gate?
• Are there restrictions regarding fencing?

Design

• Has professional design advice been sought?
• Have you considered/are you designing for low-waste, integrated soil fertility management, sustainability, water management, solar access, integrated pest management, windbreaks, biodiversity, education, accessibility, sociability, safety, access and equity, cultural diversity?
• Will some potentially invasive species be disallowed?
• How will you ensure solar access for all plots?
• How will you ensure that animals (if kept) are secure?
• How will stormwater be managed?

Structure of garden 

• Edible, educational, revegetation – be clear as to your intentions.
• Is the garden organic? If so, will this require education of new gardeners?
• What plants will be grown?
• Is there enough room (fruit trees require a little more space and must not be near a public pathway)?
• What animals will be kept?
• What garden structures will be needed (how will they be financed)?
• What training is needed for members?
• Do the soils need to be tested (sodic soil, contamination, history of site etc)?
• Will the garden participate in the Seed Savers Network?
• Will there be permanent or casual staff, a co-ordinator or design consultant?

Water

• How will water be used and conserved in the garden (water tanks, irrigation, mulching etc)?

Equipment

• Will tools be communal? Is a lockable shed needed?
• How many water tanks are required?
• How many wheel barrows, hoses, watering cans?
• Is a propagating shed needed?
• Will there be a library?
• Is a notice board required?
• Is education required in the use of equipment?
• Will compost bins be bought or constructed?

Waste reduction

• Composting, mulching, worm farming, reuse of materials – will these items require education?
• How will you manage perceived problems (smells, rats etc)?

Health and safety

• How will you manage poisonous or allergenic plants?
• Consider trip hazards, sharp edges etc in the design.
• How will you reduce risk with manure, soil and compost?
• How will you store and manage the use of poisons and pesticides?
• How will you manage the use of heavy loads such as wheel barrows?
• Will members require education regarding potentially hazardous materials and situations?
• Where will you keep the first aid kit?
• Will you have members trained in first aid?

Access and equity

• How will you ensure the garden is accessible to all? (older people, people with disabilities)

Structure of organisation

• Will it be incorporated?
• Will there be shared plots or only individual allotments?
• How long will a plot lie inactive before it is reallocated?
• Is the garden only open to members or will it be open to others for educational purposes?
• How will decisions be made?
• How will you find new members?
• How will you resolve conflict?
• Who will keep records and what form will they take?
• Will there be a roster for specific tasks?
• Will there be a log book?
• Will there be specific working groups/working bees?
• Will there be orientation days for new members (policies and procedures, health and safety, training and education, rights and responsibilities)?
• Is there a focus on community building (social events, community outreach)?

Financials

• Do you need a bank account? Do you need a treasurer?
• What will the joining fee be? What will the annual fee be? Will it be charged annually or quarterly?
• How much do you need to raise to do your ‘special’ projects?
• How much do you need to raise to set up/construct the project?
• How much do you need to cover running costs on an annual basis?
• Have you considered the costs involved in promotion?
• What will the cost be for set up materials and tools?
• Do you need an ABN?

Grants and funding

• Have you researched the grants and funding that may be available to you?
• Think broadly and do plenty of research - there are websites dedicated to grants funding.
• Will you run ‘events’ or open days to raise funds? If you are thinking of running events, what are the insurance requirements?

Insurance 

• What sort of insurance do you need?
• How will you pay for it?

Constraints

• Have you considered all the possibilities that might go wrong or hold up your plans?
• How will you ensure that there is enough interest and energy to keep the project going in the long term?