The Shire’s Parks and Gardens Supervisor, Dave Richardson, said the idea was to create a bit of ‘wow factor’. “The Parks and Gardens team wanted to create a discussion piece that would also encourage people to think about what they can grow at home,” Mr Richardson said. “It helps show people what can be grown in this climate and that you don’t need to use flowers to make your garden beds attractive and colourful.”
It didn’t take long for the popular initiative to become a conversation point on a local Facebook page, with some suggestions on how the Shire could be distributing the produce. Janine Rout of Bruthen and Sharna Stone of Lakes Entrance were among the followers on the Facebook page that were impressed with Council’s efforts and they provided some suggestions on how the fare could be made accessible to the public. “I’ve noticed in past years when the Shire has done similar plantings, but the display was particularly impressive this year and really stood out,” Janine said. “I was interested in the community having access to something grown locally and I’m impressed that the Shire has now done something about it,” Sharna said.
Following the suggestions on how the public can get access to the crop, the Shire’s parks and gardens staff have been harvesting the crop and taking it to the Shire’s Customer Service Centre at 24 Service Street (next to the Bairnsdale Library) where the public is encouraged to take what they need for their cooking (after first giving it a good wash). It’s anticipated that the harvesting will continue over the next few weeks before the crop starts going to seed. The Shire is already planning some future crops that will create further conversation points and will look at donating some of the produce to community kitchens.
Community members Janine Rout and Sharna Stone (centre) are among the many residents who have been impressed with the Shire’s vegetable and herb crops growing in Bairnsdale’s Main Street Gardens and being made available for community members to use in their cooking. Janine and Sharna are pictured with some of the members of the Shire’s Parks and Gardens crew Dylan Rowlands, Rick Lawrence, Travis Mays, Dave Richardson and Bentley Conn.
Community members Janine Rout and Sharna Stone (centre) are among the many residents who have been impressed with the Shire’s vegetable and herb crops growing in Bairnsdale’s Main Street Gardens and being made available for community members to use in their cooking. Janine and Sharna are pictured with some of the members of the Shire’s Parks and Gardens crew Dylan Rowlands, Rick Lawrence, Travis Mays, Dave Richardson and Bentley Conn.
