A popular community garden in Mernda that has been at risk of running out of water during prolonged dry periods is set to receive a new irrigation system thanks to funding from Yarra Valley Water.
The $1500 community grant will enable volunteers at Mernda Community Garden in Carome to install a smart irrigation system, ensuring efficient water use where and when it is needed.
Established around ten years ago on the grounds of historic Carome Homestead, the large community garden features an orchard and individual plots where Whittlesea locals can grow their own produce. It also provides a place where locals can share knowledge and expertise about local food production and sustainable gardening.
Group member Rick Pruckner said the smart irrigation system funded by the Yarra Valley Water grant will replace the garden’s original watering set-up, which was losing water and no longer up to the task.
“Targeting water distribution through the smart irrigation system will immensely help our water conversation efforts and maintain the Carome Orchard, especially during dry spells,” Mr Pruckner said.
“We’re excited to revitalise our garden and be able to continue to offer it as a viable and sustainable source of community produce and connection.”
As well as providing the community with the opportunity to grow its own food, Mernda Community Garden aims to enhance the natural environment by establishing a closed production loop, including composting, permaculture and vermiculture practices.
“We try to be as sustainable and efficient as possible wherever we can,” Mr Pruckner said.
“We operate through permaculture principles allowing the land to flourish within its natural eco-system,” he said.
Through composting and vermiculture practices – where worms are carefully introduced to convert organic waste into nutrient rich compost – the not-for-profit community group has also been re-establishing native flora along the Plenty Gorge Reserve area.
Yarra Valley Water’s General Manager Strategy and Community, Tiffany White, said the group’s commitment to water-efficiency demonstrated its strong ethos for preserving a sustainably connected community.
“Mernda Community Garden’s innovative work with green spaces makes a huge difference to its community. We’re proud to support this dedicated group of volunteers with a system that helps to conserve water and use it efficiently to help the garden flourish,” White said.
Mernda Community Garden is among 14 recipients of Yarra Valley Water’s Community Grants program, which supports projects focused on water conservation, habitat improvement, and community education.
For more information about Yarra Valley Water’s Community Grant program, visit https://www.yvw.com.au/community-grants
