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Background & History
*Why
our Project has lasting benefit to local and wider community
1992 – 1995
The group writes ecosystemssurveys and makes a proposal to the local
council for land to be used as a community garden.
The
land proposed is rare remnant vegetation in North Katoomba, an important
catchment that drains the Great Western Highway. It has great importance
in ameliorating water quality for Sydney Catchment.
There is also historical value, previously used as a holding area
for cattle last century and is placed in the food/orchard growing
hinterland of Katoomba 1800 - 1900's.
1995
The land is allocated to the Community Gardens. The land (given
in perpetuity to the people of Katoomba by Harold Hodgeson in early
20th C), is 1 of only 2 parks created in the 50 years prior to 1995
regionally.
Lots of us knew very little about gardening or the environment when
we started, this project brought us together and we learnt.
*Bush Care
When we first came to this catchment it had compacted soils, a soil
ph of 9-12, large areas covered in tenacious weed species like broom,
patersons curse, buttercup, privet, and blackberry.
Since our inception we have planted and built for a healthy catchment
riparian zone. On our 2.5 hectares we have bush regenerated and
replanted along the water course.
Removing over 40 Pinus radiata trees (non natives) and replanting
with local eucalyptus and sedge swamp species.
Since that first day we have planted thousands of beautiful plants.
The Blue Mtns City Council built a concrete baffle and we planted
it out. BMCC also built a carpark.
With young people from Land Care we built bridge and mudbricks.
With volunteers from the neighborhood we built a mudbrick structure,
shade house and poly tunnel. We put in the plumbing for a toilet.
Over the years this has been a journey involving hundreds of volunteers.
*Earthcare / Permaculture Project
Our project involves a planted Heritage Cool climate food
forest - collections of old heritage variety apples, pears,
chesnuts, walnuts etc, and Seed Saving.
Apples are taken to our local food Co-op Community Supplies.
We continue to explore new innovative ways of intensive food gardens.
Upcoming projects: Edible mushrooms, Spirulina
ponds, Fungi water cleansing. These wait for funding.
*Aboriginal food:
At last our Aboriginal Bushcare Garden will start on the western
side of the watercourse. Small local group are joining us. In the
past we planted native onions, native pepper. We already have Bilardia
Scandens on the west slope as part of our remnant vegetation.
*People Care
We meet weekly on Fridays from 10.30am - 2pm. We are a diverse group
who include a fireman, a nurse, a teacher, landscape designer, and
sundry householders. We garden together. The garden has a sandpit
for children and performance area for festivals. We meditate, make
sculptures. Everyone brings lunch (hot soup and bread, cheese, salad).
We all love it immensely.
*We are affiliated with:
The Blue Mountains City Council, Western Sydney TAFE (bringing students),
Katoomba Neighborhood Centre (informing people about us), National
Parks & Wildlife Service, Local public schools, Bushcare groups
(working the site), Permaculture group and Local Library support.
Our support base is the community itself, organisations
too numerous to list all, and we are immensely grateful for their
support over the years.
*Festivals
Festival
of Joy - Since 2003.
Bands, music, drama, National Parks involvement, everyone celebrating
people of goodwill serving each other in a healthy environment.
Hundreds of people from the neighbourhood turned up.
Spring
Festival 1998 - 2000.
Local children and adults performance. Workshops on Seed Saving,
Bio-dynamics, Organics.
Wild Aware Festival in partnership
with Katoomba High and Katoomba Public schools.
We hosted a large conference with speakers emphasising opportunities
for Youth in the Environment.
*Future
Needs: Tell more people about our wide ranging
interest. Better signage. Better leaflets and posters. Networking
skills.
Gifting the Community: We hope to help other communities.
Some members have mentioned East Timor, India.
"Our walnut trees will live for 900 years.
Our chesnuts for 500.
Our eucalyptus for 200 years.
Our children 100.
We will be 50 years.
But our love has been planted forever"
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