Why community gardens have taken root along the South Coast

Over the last few years, a quiet revolution has been taking root. Community gardens, once seen as relics of a bygone era, are sprouting up throughout the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, creating lush green spaces that foster connection and feed our desire to get back to nature.

These patches of earth, carved out of pockets of public and private land, are a chance to get back to the basics of food production and build dynamic community hubs, while also solving some thorny global problems along the way.

The rise of community gardens

Suzy Pickles, a PhD candidate from the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems Research Group, is exploring the rise of community gardens, with part of her research focused on mapping urban agriculture throughout the region.

Ms Pickles, a keen gardener, said that as the global population continues to expand and populate cities, urban agriculture can be a key part of the solution to a range of concerns.

“Community gardens are all about bringing people together in different ways, whether it’s for social reasons, learning new things, or just helping out.

“Feeding the world in a healthy, sustainable and equitable way is a huge challenge facing humanity. Particularly in a world grappling with climate change and in the grips of a cost-of-living crisis,” said Ms Pickles, whose PhD is supervised by Dr Anne McMahon and Dr Anita Stefoska-Needham. “Urban agriculture, which refers to green spaces and gardens that are cultivated in urban areas, is a vital piece of the puzzle.

“It strengthens resilience, establishes a healthy, local food system, and also brings a range of social benefits to people and the planet.”

Ms Pickles’ research forms part of the Let’s Talk About Food survey, the most comprehensive analysis ever of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven’s food environment. Alongside Dr Katherine Kent and Professor Karen Charlton from the Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems Research Group, Ms Pickles is working to understand how many people access urban agriculture for their food needs and their perspectives on the food available in their communities.

Approximately 10,000 households in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven have been randomly selected to receive the survey flyer in the mail. A social media campaign has also been launched, in conjunction with partner Healthy Cities Illawarra and Food Fairness Illawarra.

The researchers believe it is the largest household survey of its kind in the regions, and are hopeful that the lessons and information they will gain will act as a case study for the whole of NSW.

Professor Charlton said it is important to understand the experiences and needs of local residents and how they would like vacant urban spaces to be used.

“Local councils in NSW have broad discretion under the ‘Councils’ Charter’ contained in the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) to respond to identified needs of the local community but this often requires advocacy to get action. The promotion of public health and environmental health via urban agriculture can certainly be contemplated as being within the statutory purpose of the Councils’ Charter,” Professor Charlton said.

“In our Let’s Talk About Food survey, which has already received more than 700 responses, we are finding that people across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven genuinely want to support local food producers due to their food’s freshness and environmental benefits. However, residents often face challenges with affordability, accessibility, and a lack of nearby markets or clear information on where to buy food. We are hearing there is a strong hope among residents for more convenient and affordable local food options in the future,” added Dr Katherine Kent.

^{Dr Katherine Kent and Professor Karen Charlton. Picture: Michael Gray}

Future foodie destination

Professor Charlton has a vision where she sees the Illawarra and Shoalhaven region becoming a foodie destination - where agribusinesses can thrive to provide high quality food that has a low environmental footprint.

“As the Illawarra transforms to be a renewable energy zone, there may be many opportunities for brownfield sites [land that has previously been used for commercial and industrial purposes but is no longer in use] to be revitalised to include innovative food hubs where food production could be brought closer to where people shop and live.”

“Already we see local world-first examples of a more circular economy, such as edible seaweed production in the Shoalhaven using waste products from the wheat industry.”

Ms Pickles mapped the number and location of community gardens in the region and discovered 25 gardens spread across the Local Government Areas of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven. Sixteen of those producers took part in Ms Pickles’ research project, revealing insights into their volunteer workforce, distribution of produce, and knowledge exchange.

“This research confirms that there is a strong network of community gardens spread across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions,” she said.

“They rely on volunteers, who devote tens of hours of work each week to build and maintain those gardens. It is a true labour of love and one that reveals that human networks are truly the lifeblood of these community initiatives. People’s desire to give back can really shape and sustain these green spaces.

“The community gardens produce a range of vegetables, leafy greens, fruit, flowers, native foods, foraged foods, honey, nuts, olives and microgreens, with their produce distributed to volunteers and the broader community.”

The community gardens are supplemented by a further 48 private small-scale growers and farmers or social enterprises that offer livestock, vegetables and fruit, honey, eggs and seaweed. Close to half of these producers yield between 50kg and 500kg a year and sell their products directly to the public at the farmgate or through farmers markets and independent suppliers.

“The commercial growers are focused on building and supporting local supply chains and the local economy, and strengthening the relationship between the farmer and the customer. People know where their food is coming from and the conditions in which it is grown,” Ms Pickles said.

The research found that environmental and social values are the key drivers of urban agriculture in the region. Those who dedicated their time to community gardens are motivated by a desire to create a healthy food system, respond to climate change, reduce waste, and enhance wellbeing in the community.

Growing connections

While the cost of food is also a contributing factor, particularly in a cost of living crisis, Ms Pickles said it wasn’t the whole picture. In addition to reducing food costs and providing access to healthier fruit and vegetables, these green spaces teach vital skills that have become lost in a busy modern society, promote sustainability, and take advantage of the temperate climate in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.

“Community gardens aren't just about growing food—they're about growing connections,” Ms Pickles said. “They offer a space where people can come together, nurture relationships, and cultivate a sense of belonging, all while tending to their own wellbeing and the health of their community.

“The more people who learn about these spots in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, the stronger and more sustainable our food networks can become.”

Ms Pickles knows the value of gardens all too well, for both health and wellbeing. At her home in Bulli, she has established a sprawling fruit and vegetable garden that provides kilos of fresh produce every year.

She has taken such delight and pride in her own garden that she encourages others to create their own.

“Starting a backyard garden is simpler than you might think and offers countless rewards. It’s a chance to enjoy fresh, home-grown produce, create a peaceful retreat right outside your door, and experience the joy of nurturing something from seed to harvest—all while adding a touch of green to your daily life.

“If the idea of your own garden is daunting, finding your local community garden is a great way to get started.”
 
Find out more about the Let’s Talk About Food Survey and participate in the survey.