Perth Voice Interactive

THE group Inglewood on Beaufort wants to establish a local community garden.

The budding community group has been impressed by the success of the North Perth community garden opened last year and is investigating potential sites.

IOB deputy chair Matt Seabrook says the group is canvassing people on its Facebook page to gauge public support for the idea and recruit volunteers.

The Voice understands it is looking at one site next to St Luke Anglican Church.

The IOB has consulted with Colin Scott, who was instrumental in establishing the North Perth garden.

That garden has gone from strength to strength since opening in October and has a waiting list for people wanting to lease a plot.

“It’s all part of the push for kids to be more active and eat healthier fresh food.”

“We have 55 families as members, 15 volunteers and around eight committee members,” Mr Scott says.

“The place has really taken off and we have members of all different ages and backgrounds, including a few butch guys in their 20s who go to the footy.

“With all the infill going on people are craving a bit of green space, so I guess that’s one of the reasons it has been so popular.”

North Perth’s 750sqm garden includes a worm farm, frog pond, water-harvesting tank, reticulation and fruit and vegetables.

All the reticulation and water used is non-scheme, including gutter water salvaged from the adjacent Men’s Shed.

Members can lease their own 3.5sqm plot or share a bigger plot with others.

The garden is perched on a hill in Farmer Street, next to the local tennis and bowling club.

Mr Scott says the group wants to plant nut and fruit trees on 1000sqm of adjacent public land and is seeking Vincent council approval.

“We want to get teenagers in after school to pick fruit from the trees,” he says.

“It’s all part of the push for kids to be more active and eat healthier fresh food. The gardens have been a great success.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK