Waitohi Picton
Community Garden Project
Community Consultation
Support for the Waitohi Community Garden Project
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We have had overwhelming and open support from our local schools (Waikawa Bay School and Queen Charlotte College), the Waikawa Marae (who we will be working closely with to create mutual benefit and sharing of resources), Te Atiawa, Food Bank and Marlborough District Council (MDC).
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The Food Bank has praised the potential project, siting that they have had an increase of 35% in families requesting assistance due to rising costs of living.
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The initial post from MDC announcing the approval of the site had 114 likes and 14 shares, with the comments overwhelmingly positive.
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Of many posts on social media reaching thousands within our local communities, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
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Currently 140 people like our Waitohi Picton Community Garden Facebook Page with 182 people following the page.
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Thus far we have collected over 75 responses to our Community Garden Survey from our community. Of those that responded, 95% are excited about the project.
Concerns and Constructive Feedback
After the initial announcement and the community meeting, we did receive some feedback from concerned members of our community. We have had several in depth, in-person discussions and written communication with community members that have raised legitimate concerns and that we are taking on board during the planning process.
Some of the concerns include:
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increased traffic to the quiet neighbourhood
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potential theft and vandalism
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location - too far away from central Picton
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ensuring continual buy-in after the inital excitement wears off
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not enough sunshine hours in the winter
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organic vs non-organic preferences
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carparking
We are actively paying heed to all such feedback throughout this process, and some answers to how we are taking these on board are outlined in below.
Why this location?
We have received many queries regarding the proposed location for the Garden. Is there not a location closer to central Picton? Isn't this too far away for more of the community to access? Isn't there a sunnier spot in the winter? What about xxx as a location?
As stated in our FAQs, our team scoped out every possible location throughtout the immediate Picton area as a possible site for a Community Garden.
All other areas examined were too small, inaccessible, flood prone, were being used for other recreational purposes, unsafe or were not permitted for our use. Please know that we did exhaust every possible location!
The Ranaui/Huia St Reserve area was actually proposed to us by MDC as this area has always been ear-marked for community development. Aside from Bronte the horse, there is no other use currently for the site (e.g. the reserve area behind the Skate Park is currently a popular off-lead dog walking park and is not big enough to house both a garden and to continue to benefit our local dog walkers).
We understand that there may not be much sunlight here in the winter, due to the proximity of the domain, however, many of us who live locally have the same issue and still maintain our own gardens and we will take this into consideration with the design and use of the area in these colder months.
In regards to drainage, we are currently seeking exciting and innovative ways in which to combat this issue AND retain water in the area for use without draining away valuable nutrients. Stay tuned!
Survey Responses
Below are a few key responses we have obtained from our recent Community Garden Survey. Want to have your say? We'd love to hear from you! We will continue to gather feedback to pass on to our Focus Group, Project Manager and Focus Group so that we can take it into consideration through the planning process!
CLICK HERE to have your say!
Q: Are you excited about a community garden in Picton?
Most responses received were from those in the community that were keen to have garden. Not all are happy with the idea, and some of those individuals have been having active and constructive discussions with us regarding their concerns and reasons for
Q: If yes, what would motivate you to become involved in the Garden? Note: respondents were able to make more than one choice.
Other responses to this question included:
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Community involvement
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Growing flowers
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Engaging tamariki at Waikawa Bay School with growing food
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Getting the kids involved
Q: Would you be interested in renting your own plot?
Those who answered yes were asked how much they would potentially pay for a plot of their own. The answers varied greatly from $5/week, $5/month to $20-$100/year.
Q: Would you be interested in being involved in a Communal Plot?
This outcome was actually quite surprising, with respondents overwhelmingly keen on a Communal Plot to contribute to. The respondents were then asked whether they would be interested in paying a small annual membership fee for use of a communal plot or volunteering in exchange for produce:
If you have any further questions, please get in touch at info@envirohub.co.nz or pop into the Picton Environment Centre, 14 Auckland St (Picton).
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