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The Lismore Community Garden is a joint project of Rainbow Region Community Farms Inc and the Northern Rivers Social Development Council. We have received funding from the Commonwealth Dept. of Health and Ageing to establish a community garden in Lismore, for the benefit of all Lismore residents. Lismore City Council is supporting the garden through provision of the land.

Community gardens are open to the public, and provide green space in urban areas, along with opportunities for social gatherings, beautification, education and recreation. They are similar to parks, but most of the plants are grown for food production and the community can be actively involved in growing and harvesting fresh fruit and vegetables. They are open to the public, and provide green space in urban areas, along with opportunities for social gatherings, beautification, education and recreation. They are similar to parks, but most of the plants are grown for food production and the community can be actively involved in growing and harvesting fresh fruit and vegetables.

Community gardens also promote a sense of community through shared interests, sharing knowledge and working together.  Many communities in Australia now have well established community gardens. A joint study by the NSW Department of Housing and the University of New South Wales has proven that community gardens in urban environments give residents a sense of wellbeing, ownership and safety.

What will the Lismore Community Garden look like?

Construction of the garden has only just begun, but when it is completed it will be made up of a mix of garden sections, each providing a targeted need or goal. The main garden areas will be a raised disability garden and a shared garden area where community members can work and share in the produce. There will also be some demonstration gardens where people can see and experience various gardening methods. Some small plots will be set aside for use by community organisations. These will all be no dig gardens and will be worked using only hand tools and organic methods. Paths will be incorporated between the larger garden areas and to allow access to the small garden plots, winding through a mix of food plants and flowering plants. A small open shade pergola will be used for outdoor seating space.

What will happen there?

We will be working hard to ensure that the community garden will be a friendly, busy place where there is always productive activity happening and where everyone in the community can meet and feel safe and welcome.  Activities will include

• - Growing of organic fruit and vegetables in small garden plots, using water conserving methods.
• - Training, demonstrations and workshops about sustainable gardening techniques and healthy eating.
• - Rainbow Region Community Farms members and community groups visiting and/or working in the gardens.

How do I get there? The garden is located on Brewster St in Lismore (near the corner of Magellan St), just a short walk from Lismore Square Shopping Centre. There are many different ways you can reach the site such as catching a bus (any bus that goes to the shopping centre will do), you can ride a bike, walk (if you are close enough) or drive.