Community gardens are much more than just about growing veggies, Campbelltown Council heard at its meeting on Tuesday night.
Councillor Seta Berbari received overwhelming support for a notice of motion calling on council to be more proactive in its support of current and new community gardens.
“They [community gardens] are vital spaces that can help provide better mental and physical health to those who are involved,’’ Cr Berbari told council.
“We must as a council see what we can do in this space with support for gardens that are operating and for anyone thinking of setting up one,’’ she said.
Young Labor councillor Isabella Wisniewska recalled a childhood spending hours in a community garden established by her father near the Liverpool town centre.
“Community gardens are also good for social cohesion, because they bring together people of different backgrounds, as well as young people and old people,’’ Cr Wisniewska said.
A report will now be prepared and presented to council outlining how council can support residents who want to establish a community garden, and how to “self- manage existing community gardens to a high standard’’.
Councillor Cameron McEwan also won support for his call for a report on how the 2019 benchmarking heat study “informed council on heat and its impact across the LGA, and what progress has been made to mitigate heat’’.
He also wants the report to look at how council is equipping residents to be more resilient to heat, as well as how council is prepared to respond to community and wildlife needs in heatwaves and other extreme heat weather events.
In other meeting highlights:
Councillors were told there has been a $378,700 decrease in expenditure for the running of the Campbelltown Billabong Parklands.
“With the facility now in full operation, operating costs have been lower than originally anticipated, including areas of utilities, chemicals, and casual labour,’’ a report to council said.
Councillors also heard that concept designs have been developed and a development application lodged with the Sydney Western City Planning Panel early in February for the proposed Centre of Excellence on the northern end of Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
“Once complete, the centre of excellence will offer pathways for the development of sporting talent in the fields of pre-elite sport, sports science and research,’’ a report to council said.
“It will also support the enhancement of dedicated female programs and facilities to improve pathways for women and girls, and to improve the community’s overall health and wellbeing through increased participation in sporting and recreational activities.’’
