Garden Guidelines: Community consultation process and outcomes.
In July 2021 the Warrane Community Garden began a month-long consultation process with the community and garden visitors. We asked people to share with us how they engage with the garden and their thoughts on how we can all ensure the space is a safe and welcoming space for everyone who uses it and/or receives food from it. The consultation period ran over four weeks and was signposted at the garden, local library, and neighbourhood centre. Flyers were delivered via door knock or mailbox drop to the Garden’s closer neighbours. Details were emailed to our mailing list and shared in our Facebook group. We invited the community to share thoughts and concerns in several ways:
Individual face to face or phone conversations
Focus group participation (choice of 3 session times)
Email or written submissions
Discussions explored how the space was used before it became a garden, how uses have changed, and then centred on how we provide a safe and a welcoming environment that allows all visitors to share the space, within the compliance restrictions required by our Insurer. This included doing our best to ensure the food grown there and shared is safe and contaminant free for the community.
Top Two topics of discussion
The two most commonly raised health and safety concerns through the consultation process:
Pets in the garden
Children in the garden
Below are the guidelines created for these safety issues and the main points addressed for each of these concerns.
Pets in the garden -
Guideline: Please ensure pets are on leash when walking through the garden and be sure to keep them off the garden beds and the growing mounds which also have food plants.
The main reasons for this guideline:
The garden is considered a public space by our Insurance company. To reduce risks to garden users, their minimum requirement is that all garden visitors adhere to local Council regulations for dog control in public spaces. (see next point)
Clarence City Council requires dogs on lead at all times in public spaces – these differ to Council’s recreational spaces.
Unleashed pets can cause anxiety for children and adults.
Pet waste can transmit diseases into the soil, even if the waste is removed quickly.
At the garden there are edible plants located in the growing mounds and raised beds. These growing spaces are at risk from damage or contamination by pet waste if pets are not kept leashed.
An off lead exercise space for dogs was identified nearby during the process. The designated off lead area is in the green belt, located 500m along Bass St in the direction of the Mornington roundabout. The garden team is happy to support any requests to Council to make this off lead space more user friendly for dog owners.
Children in the garden
Guideline: Please ensure children visiting the garden are supervised by an adult.
The main reasons for this guideline:
The garden is a working food garden and there is risk of injury to children if they are visiting without adult supervision.
Children exploring and playing in the garden without supervision can cause damage to the garden plants and trees.
Other health
Guideline: The garden is an alcohol, drug, & smoke free zone. Smoking is not allowed in the garden or within 3 m of garden entry points.
The main reasons for this guideline:
Existing legislation in the Public Health Act 1997 (Tas) around smoking in public places.
Insurer requirements to maintain coverage.
What to expect over coming months
Temporary signage to welcome visitors and advise of the health and safety requirements and signage changes in relation to children and dogs has been installed at all three entrances.
Design and installation of a permanent welcome sign for each entrance is underway. This is taking into account feedback received during the consultation period that signage is attractive, simple and does not overwhelm visitors with information and rules.