Green thumbs and businesses have saved the Nambour community garden from being decommissioned and have sown the seeds of a new local hub called Nambour Grown.
The garden was weeks away from being decommissioned due to lack of use and maintenance, when Lars and Kashmira Hansen heard about it and put the call out to the local community to help revitalise the space.
“The garden had unfortunately fallen into disrepair, with the area overrun with weeds and the soil quality no longer ideal for growing vegetables and other plants,” Mr Hansen said.
“Sunshine Coast Council and not-for-profit organisation ECOllaboration were the first to put their hand up to help, with council donating mulch and compost, and 12 conservation and ecosystem management trainees from ECOllaboration assisting us with weeding, stabilising the banks and rejuvenating the garden beds.”
Mr Hansen said once the garden beds were ready for use and a committee of volunteers had been established to lead the initiative, Buderim business Hall Contracting chipped in $2000.
He said some of the money had gone towards garden tools and plants while some would go towards free workshops over the next year to teach people about organic gardening, waste minimisation and other sustainable practices.
“Perhaps most importantly, the funds will enable us to purchase some raised garden beds to provide opportunities for wheelchair users and community members with mobility issues to join in the fun,” he said.
Disability care worker Denny Henderson-Wilson is working closely with the Nambour Grown committee to establish an inclusive space and said the community garden would be a welcome addition for people with a disability on the Sunshine Coast.
“There’s a real gap in the region for outdoor spaces that are accessible and cater to the needs of individuals living with a disability, so we’re eager to create this offering,” Mr Henderson-Wilson said.
Hall Contracting chief executive officer and director Cameron Hall said he hoped the company’s donation would help to bring the community together and provide a welcoming and inclusive space for people of all ages and abilities.
“Something that really appealed to us about Nambour Grown’s vision for the space was that it centred first and foremost on fostering community connections,” Mr Hall said.
“The gardens themselves provide a fantastic opportunity for learning, but the offering is much bigger than that.
“It’s a space where people from all walks of life can come together to connect, collaborate and share their interests and skills, whether that’s regarding gardening, pottery, woodworking or something entirely different.
“We’re incredibly proud to be supporting this initiative and giving back to the community we’ve been a part of for more than 75 years.”
Anyone who would like to get involved with Nambour Grown by donating time, seeds, cuttings or seedling should email nambourgrown@gmail.com or find Nambour Grown on social media.
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