HAVE YOUR SAY ON GREEN SPACES AND INNOVATIVE GARDENING

Townsville City Council wants to hear your feedback on green spaces across the city and innovative gardening initiatives Council can offer the public.

Council has identified an increase in interest through the community to beautify open spaces, including along footpaths, easements and street frontages.

Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said Council wanted to explore the potential of community gardening for the city.

“Townsville has some world-class botanic gardens and parks, but we also have some world-class gardens in residents’ homes. Our city is brimming with incredible home gardeners who want to take their hobby out to the streets for more people to enjoy,” Cr Greaney said. “Council wants to know more about the people who are interested in community gardening, including why they’re interested in community gardening and what challenges might stand in the way of them sprucing up the green spaces around their street. There is a lot of potential not only for positive impacts on the ecology of our neighbourhoods, which will benefit from additional pollinator-attracting flora, but also on the social aspects of community gardening. When given the chance to connect over a common interest, neighbours can form important connections while contributing to the beautification of their street.”

Cr Greaney said Council would be conducting the Gardens Without Borders Survey 2022 for the next three months.

“We’re looking to collect significant data from right across Townsville. This will go towards providing recommendations to inform Council policies surrounding community gardening along footpaths, easements and street frontages,” she said. “The more information provided the better – this will give us a better understanding of how we can support and deliver community gardening initiatives across Townsville.”

To provide feedback about your views on the greening and gardening initiatives that Council can deliver, visit the Have Your Say Townsville website before 5pm on June 12.