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Community gardens

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Join or start your own garden group. Find a garden near you and connect with your local community.

Three women tending plants in the Hollard Park Library community garden.

About community gardens

A community garden is an open space for residents to meet, connect and garden. 

Individual or shared plots are available for non-profit use and the space is managed by volunteers.

Everyone is welcome to use the space to grow produce, flowers and native plants. Visit a community garden to:

  • meet new people
  • share knowledge 
  • learn new skills
  • grow and nurture healthy plants and food. 

Community garden support

Council supports more than 30 community gardens across Brisbane.  

We provide support and resources to help ensure the long-term success of community gardens by:

  • supplying information about community gardens
  • offering grants for cultivating community gardens
  • organising gardening events including:
    • workshops for seniors
    • library sustainable living talks
    • compost and worm farm workshops
    • community composting hub events.

Find a community garden

Join a community garden to foster a deeper connection with the environment and support an active and healthy lifestyle.

  • Access free gardening advice.
  • Learn about composting and worm farming.
  • Get involved in your local community.

New members are welcome to join established community gardens across Brisbane.

Get started by searching your suburb to find a garden near you. 

Start a community garden

It takes a great deal of time, commitment, energy and a strong network of like-minded people to bring a community garden to life. 

Community gardens must be incorporated or auspiced by another incorporated organisation, as this enables:

  • The group to be a legal entity separate from individual members.
  • The group to apply for grant funding.
  • The creation of a team (management committee) to support the garden's operation.
  • The group to obtain public liability insurance.
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Note

To ensure proper duty of care, the group must hold a public liability insurance policy with a minimum coverage of $20,000,000.

The most successful garden projects are those that have put time into planning and design.

Before you begin, ask yourself the following questions.

  • Do I have time to coordinate and attend garden group meetings on weekends and/or weekdays?
  • Do I want to manage a group of like-minded people and help grow a space for the community?
  • Is there already an established community group interested in this project?
  • Is there enough interest and energy to sustain the project in the long term?
  • Is a garden the most effective way to address your community’s needs? For example, food security, social opportunities, health promotion.
  • How will the location of your garden impact residents and wildlife?
  • What types of plants are needed for your garden?
  • What location options are available near the group? 
     

It’s important that you:

  • develop a strong and committed garden group that can share the load 
  • form partnerships with other organisations in the community 
  • research your project thoroughly
  • work together as a group on an agreed vision for your project
  • conduct some simple strategic planning that will provide a road map towards achieving your shared vision. 

You should also be prepared to provide key documentation, including:

  • basic concept plan of the garden
  • garden management plan
  • basic development budget
  • risk management plan.
     

Not sure where to start? Talk to us about your community garden idea.

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Did you know?

For tips and resources to help you start a community garden, you can visit Community Gardens Australia.

Gardening events

Frequently asked questions

A community garden is an open space for residents to meet, connect and garden.

Individual or shared plots are available for non-profit use and the space is managed by volunteers.

Gardening can provide an enriching experience that supports a connection with likeminded people and promotes an active and healthy lifestyle.

Find a community garden to join in Brisbane and foster a deeper connection with the environment.