SURF Coast Shire council is reviewing an infringement notice that ordered the removal of a popular Winchelsea community garden.<\/p>\n
An “Honest and Free” stand and garden on a Barwon Terrace nature strip opened last year, providing a hub for local green thumbs and a source of free, healthy produce for residents amid the COVID pandemic.<\/p>\n
The stand displays excess produce from Wincheslea’s keen group of gardeners that is free for residents to take home.<\/p>\n
Stall beneficiaries are encouraged to restock the stand with items like seedlings, plants, fresh produce and home-baked goods to replenish stock.<\/p>\n
The initiative immediately became popular in Winch and became the centrepiece of a hundreds-strong, active social media network for local growers.<\/p>\n
But the garden’s property owners received an infringement notice from the council for obstructing a nature strip in March, sparking local disbelief.<\/p>\n
A letter and petition with 141 signatures went before councillors at their April meeting, which called on the council to rescind the fine and allow the local community service to continue.<\/p>\n
“The garden and stall has very quickly become a successful point of access for those that find the rising cost of living difficult, it is a place where families and community members can access good produce to supplement their pantries,” the petition said.<\/p>\n
“We hope the Surf Coast Shire look favourably upon the (petition) by the community to allow the stall and garden to remain as an important community service.”<\/p>\n
Councillors unanimously agreed to accept the petition and expressed their support for its cause at last week’s meeting.<\/p>\n
“It’s on the edge of town, it’s not impeding anybody and it’s providing a fantastic community service,” Winchelsea Ward councillor Heather Wellington said.<\/p>\n
“The people doing this should be congratulated.<\/p>\n
“Hopefully we can continue with an open community garden in Winchelsea.”<\/p>\n
Other councillors agreed, saying they were “moved” by the petition and hoped for a common sense outcome.<\/p>\n
Council officers will prepare a report for the May meeting on the petition and the infringement notice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SURF Coast Shire council is reviewing an infringement notice that ordered the removal of a popular Winchelsea community garden. An “Honest and Free” stand and garden on a Barwon Terrace nature strip opened last year, providing a hub for local green thumbs and a source of free, healthy produce for residents amid the COVID pandemic. […]<\/p>\n