Environment Matters Spring - Summer 2023

Co-designing a productive future This long-standing community garden is taking on a new life through permaculture.

garden’s objectives. The volunteers are now putting in the work to make the vision a reality. Michael said the principle was “using nature to do the work for us” to create a productive garden that was resilient, regenerative and abundant. “The plant species do most of the work, they are designed to work together with fauna such as birds, beneficial insects, and the soil microbes,” he said. “So for instance the birds and beneficial insects are doing the work for us in pest management and we don’t need to bring anything in.” Michael said the garden could bring many types of enjoyment for the local community and provide a “living classroom” of what people may be able to do in their own home and garden.

“Permaculture is not only about gardens. It is a design process to meet human needs while enhancing ecosystem health. Human needs are not just about growing food,” he said. “The community centre is a hub for the local community for many reasons. Having that garden is not just about growing food, but a place of healing, relaxation and socialisation. “If this garden is meeting the needs of the community, they will want to interact with it. And that is where the magic happens.” Ipswich Plant Swap meets 9.30 am on every third Saturday of the month at the Leichhardt One Mile Community Centre. Find out more at Facebook.com/ipswichplantswap

A collaboration between the Leichhardt One Mile Community Centre, Ipswich Plant Swap and Savour Soil Permaculture has led to a co-designed space with benefits for both produce and people. The community garden has a long history, most recently with the Ipswich Plant Swap group setting up regular meets and holding workshops. Over time the garden has changed and evolved. With the support of the Centre, volunteers have helped drive and implement a new phase based on permaculture principles. Michael from Savour Soil Permaculture said months of work initially created a design that considered the site’s soils, topography and aspect. This led to a management plan with a list of species suitable for the site conditions and the

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