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Wake Up to local produce grown in the heart of Manly Vale
Residents of Manly Vale could soon be harvesting fresh produce from a streetside ‘urban farm’ if a plan suggested by Wake Up Warringah’s B Ward candidate Dr Helen Wilkins meets with approval from Council.
The positive response so far from locals to a proposed community garden on reclaimed Council land in Manly Vale is a welcome signal of a desire for urban sustainability on the northern beaches, according to Wake Up Warringah B Ward candidate Dr Helen Wilkins.
Wilkins, who has a Doctorate in long-term sustainable urban development, says that the garden is as important to a community’s social as well as its environmental sustainability.
“Community gardens have become an integral part of the urban landscape in parts of Sydney and in Melbourne, where there are long waiting lists for plots in some suburbs. Manly Vale has the chance to lead the cause for similar ‘city farms’ on the peninsula. Trialing the idea at this news open space in Manly Vale is one of Wake Up Warringah’s priorities when elected,” said Dr Wilkins.
“Manly Vale is one of many medium density suburbs in Warringah that has felt a decreasing sense of community in recent years as its population has risen. At the same time, people are turning to healthier food and striving for better fitness. The chance to convert this prime open space into a productive landscape that ticks all of these boxes is too good to miss.”
The plan for the land, which until mid-year contained three houses, has the full support of Manly Vale resident and environmental economist, Andrew Lo.
“Community gardens are an important building block for the current global movement towards ‘natural capitalism’. They are a success story in urban landscaping in Australia and overseas and it’s time Warringah joined this worldwide movement,” said Mr Lo.
“This environmental investment will deliver high dividends in nutritional health, physical fitness, neighbourhood togetherness, re-greening of a vacant lot, organic waste conversion, and an increase in vegetational diversity for Manly Vale. It will also provide learning opportunities for young and old, and engender much needed improvement in our natural and urban environment.”
The site is at 4-8 Innes Road behind the community centre. It is currently bare apart from some shade and is in walking distance for hundreds of residents as well as being on public transport. Acquisition of the land came about from Section 94 funds from the unit development at the Manly Vale Hotel site on Condamine Street 13 years ago. Warringah Council has so far signaled it will consider a “small” allocation of space for the purpose of a community garden as well as a children’s playground.
“Creating a community garden here is a perfect way for the next Warringah Council to show the benefits Section 94 can bring to residents. It will show a commitment to urban sustainability and help teach people of all ages how to be self-sufficient and environmentally responsibility,” said Dr Wilkins.
“If the Manly Vale garden is a success, I would like to think that Warringah Council could then consider similar projects throughout the community.”
ENDS
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