News / Community / 19th May 2022
Time to sow some spirit
Brett England wants to bring the community spirit back to Coonabarabran - and what better way to do it then with a community garden.
Green-thumbed England said he had thought about the idea for some time and plans to involve as many community groups as possible.
“I really want to get back to the core of what a community garden means and that means involving everyone,” Mr England said.
“Groups like the town beautification committee, Indigenous groups to grow bush tucker and the Men’s Shed are just some of the organisations that could be a part of the project.”
Mr England said on top of bringing the community together, there was a great opportunity to help others less fortunate.
“There’s just something about being able to grow something and giving it to someone who needs it, and knowing it’s going to be put to good use,” he said.
“Any of the food grown could go to places like the Food Pantry in town that go on to help other people.
“It’s also bringing people together where they can exchange ideas and learn about a common interest on neutral ground.of something like this are endless.”
So dedicated to the idea of a community, Mr England has already identified what he has described as the perfect block of land to house the garden.
He believes the large, cleared block beside the St Vincent De Paul store in Dalgarno Street would be an ideal location for a garden.
Mr England envisions an easily-accessible driveway into the site, with paths that meander through to different garden beds that house a variety of plants.
“There would be a spot at the front of the block with smaller garden beds that would have colourful flowers and herbs, so you've got visual impact and nice scents,” Mr England said.
“And then, of course, all your vegetables would be planted throughout the site - and even some seating and possibly some shade sails.
“It’s the perfect spot - it’s in the middle of town and there’s plenty of parking.
Mr England said he wasn’t getting ahead of himself and still needed to seek permission to use the block from the owners, as well as go through the usual red tape when it came to such a venture.
He also acknowledged he would have to work closely with Warrumbungle Shire Council if he was to be successful in his bid.
“It’s really just in its infancy stage at the moment. I will have to go through the proper process, but it’s exciting,” he said.
“I think it is just what the town needs.”
PHOTO - Brett England has flagged a possible site in Coonabarabran for a community garden.