The Community Growing Together: Community Gardens Policy

Transcription

1 The Community Growing Together: Community Gardens Policy 1. Purpose This document aims to provide clarity about the relationship between the Christchurch City Council and the Christchurch Community Gardens Association. It formally recognises the services that the community gardens provide to the city of Christchurch and to the local communities surrounding the gardens. It also recognises the support the City Council provides in return for these services and the guiding principles that this support may be offered under. 2. Issues Community gardens require some security in land tenure and financial support to thrive in Christchurch. Up until now, funding from the City Council has been somewhat piecemeal?and the land that various gardens occupy, in many instances, is currently vacant, held/designated for another purpose). The constant threat of being moved on and the inability to plan long-term because of short funding cycles and limited resources, poses a significant barrier to the success and longevity of the community gardens in Christchurch. The community gardens provide a wide range of benefits to the City and to the local communities that surround the gardens and these should be recognised by the relevant funding agencies, for the gardens to receive the support they require. Likewise, much of the support provided by the City Council is in kind and this contribution and the financial backing should be transparent, so that Christchurch residents can clearly see the Councils involvement. Further, the gardens need to report back to the Council on the outcomes resulting from the funding and support received. This document aims to clarify such matters by describing the relationship between the Council and the Christchurch Community Gardens Association. It does this by: identifying the benefits the community gardens provide to Christchurch and the local communities; linking these benefits to the Council s strategic objectives; outlining the principles under which the Council supports community gardens; and by outlining the type of support that is provided to the community gardens from the Council. 3. The benefits of community gardens Community gardens provide a wide range of benefits to Christchurch and to the local communities surrounding the gardens. The following list captures some of the key elements. Community development: The gardens help people to help themselves. They build a sense of belonging and community sprit, often amongst those who feel marginalized. They foster volunteerism and empowerment through opportunities for social interaction and involvement. Personal development: The gardens provide opportunities for learning in a range of ways: (i) they are living examples of composting and gardening, so provide an opportunity to understand nature and the cycles of life especially for children; Page 1 of 6

2 (ii) they provide training and employment opportunities, often to those that have been out of the workforce for some time for example, (not sure if this term is still current) ; (iii) they provide a mentoring opportunity where older or experienced people are able to pass on their knowledge to others; (iv) they provide a practical example of how people can minimise their organic waste; and (v) can foster leaders in the local community through the need for and development of leadership roles. Health: The gardens provide opportunities for people to remain active and provide fresh healthy food to the local community (often to those households on a limited income). They also provide enjoyable and therapeutic spaces. Utilise resources: Gardens can significantly improve the utilisation of undeveloped Council and other land in the City.. The community gardens provide opportunities for enjoyment, education and a source of food, from land that would have otherwise remained unutilised. They also reduce organic waste entering the landfill by diverting organic material to composting and in some cases are more cost effective than the general maintenance required for public land (for example, ongoing Council funding for the Packe Street Community Garden is less than what it would otherwise cost Council to contract a mower to maintain the site as a park. Biodiversity: Community gardens add to the biodiversity of the city. They provide green spaces where plants, insects and animals can flourish and by growing native plants that can be planted on-site or distributed within the community, enhance native ecosystems within the city. Involvement in governance: The gardeners build a working relationship with local government and other agencies that improves confidence and engagement in decision making. These benefits directly related to many of the Council s strategic objectives (Appendix 1) and so lead towards the Council s overall vision for Christchurch. 4. Types of community gardens Community gardens function in a variety of ways and take various forms because of the diversity of people involved and their aspirations. The Council will need to recognise the continuum of community garden developments, for example, from a group of neighbours like Packe Street (where the aim was to create the old style back yard for the neighbourhood), to the likes of Smith Street (where Te Whare Roimata Community Trust developed a training and work experience programme). 5. Principles In return for the benefits outlined above, the Council will provide support for the community gardens, both in kind and resources, based on the following principals. Council will make land available under licence conditions (on a 12 month minimum licence period) at a peppercorn rental subject to: The licence to occupy land outlining the tenure and responsibilities of both parties (the Council and the community garden). A liaison person (garden coordinator) is appointed for each community garden. Page 2 of 6

3 Agreement being reached concerning any monetary gain and the use of money generated from the community garden sites. For example, no street retail sales may be permitted and any money shall go back into the community garden (i.e. community gardens shall operate on a not for profit basis). Any community garden trust receiving Council support (e.g. peppercorn rentals) providing an annual report to the related community board, on how the trust is contributing to Council s strategic objectives. The development of a community garden should exclude land held under the Reserves Act because this would require a formal lease under the Reserves Act, which would not be required on fee simple (non-reserve) land. Although this may be considered on a case-by-case basis (a productive garden could be considered part of a park development). The Council formally recognising the opportunity cost of land being used for a community garden and the support in kind that may be offered to the gardens. The Council appointment of a relationship manager with the Community Gardens Trusts. This role at present fits with the Sustainable Christchurch Team Leader (Eric Park). 6. Council support for the community gardens. Based on the benefits that the community gardens provide to the City and on the principles above, the Council on a case by case basis and subject to the Annual Planning budget process, may provide support in a variety of ways to the community gardens: Peppercorn rentals for land utilised by the community gardens. Financial support to the Christchurch Community Gardens Association. Assistance with the provision of semi-permanent structures and facilities to the community garden sites (e.g. a portable lockable shed, toilet facilities, water and power connection, park benches and children s play equipment). The provision of materials (compost, organic collection containers, building materials) The identification of suitable land and related investigations. The Council can look for suitable sites for community garden development and assist with the consultative process to select sites. Any site identified will need to consider the neighbour and neighbourhoods aspirations, needs and impacts. A site identified will also require the consideration of other land occupier requirements, for example, other people involved in the land such as housing areas (e.g. Brougham Village). Property under consideration shall be run through the Property Unit s decision making flowchart, to consider priorities, costs and benefits for the use of the land. An Options Report based on this analysis could then be circulated and together with the community advocate enter the political environment for sign off. Such a process should ensure the long term use of the land for community development. Support from the Council s trading enterprises (e.g. City Care assisting with the clearing or preparation of land) Appropriate signage for the gardens, to identify the site as a community garden and to recognise the Council support of the site Council endorsement for the gardens. Endorsement could help in approaches to other organisations or agencies for assistance (e.g. service organisations such as Lions Club, Rotary and government agencies, such as Work and Income NZ (WINZ) Page 3 of 6

4 Assist in seeking support or sponsorship for the gardens (e.g. Seed, plant and/or garden suppliers Assist with community garden based events (e.g. festivals) 7. Process for Community Garden Development a) Initiation A local enthusiast champions the establishment of a community garden; or The Christchurch Community Gardens Association or a Community Board realises the potential for a new community garden development. b) Support building The enthusiast or Association seeks support from the community and from community groups and identifies possible sites. c) Proposal A proposal to the relevant Community Board is drawn up by the local enthusiast and/or Christchurch Community Gardens Association. A proposal supported by the Community Board is put forward to the Council (to the Sustainable Christchurch Team Leader) or if funding going to CCGA could go straight to them under their process d) Appraisal and Consultation The Council gives consideration to the Proposal and investigates the site and proposal using the Property Units decision making flow chart and the following criteria: (i) Suitability of the land (ii) Impact on the neighbours and neighbourhood (iii) Impact on other users of the land (iv) Community support for the proposal (v) Economic implications e) Implementation On a case by case basis the CCGA and/or individual unit staff and/or community gardens relationship manager and/or appropriate standing committee will provide assistance to establish the site as outlined in this document. Page 4 of 6

5 Natural + People + Economic Steps # CONDITION: Meets condition 0 HOW IT HELPS MEET CONDITION: The Natural Step N1 Reduce non-renewable resource use Reduced diesel required to grow and market vegetable products or collect organic waste. N2 Eliminate emission of harmful substances Reduced carbon emissions related to organic matter in the waste stream (from collection, processing and landfill gas) N3 Protect and restore biodiversity and ecosystems Encourages garden based ecosystems in city. N4 People needs met fairly and efficiently NA NA - See People Step + Economic Step The People Step P1 Basic needs met Free/cheaply available fresh vegetables P2 Full potential developed Education by participation, increased understanding of natural cycles, improved social skills, improves employment skills and experience P3 Social capital enhanced Promotes social contact and community participation P4 Culture and identity protected Locally based initiatives can promote sense of identity P5 Governance and participatory democracy strengthened Improved confidence and engagement with range of governance groups The Economic Step E1 Effective and efficient use of all resources Many recycled materials and huge volunteer input as well as ability to target and meet diverse individual needs locally maximises effectiveness and efficiency E2 Job rich local economy Improves employment opportunities E3 Financial sustainability Huge volunteer input & use of low cost resources minimises cost to Council Page 5 of 6

6 Appendix 1. The Council s Strategic Objectives These benefits assist the Council in fulfilling the following strategic objectives (as detailed in the Strategic Statement 2002): A. The City Council will enhance community cohesion and well-being through: (i) Maximising opportunities for residents to participate in learning and leisure activities. Facilitating education and learning opportunities especially pre-school and pre-employment activities. Advocating for the provision of education and training at all levels (ii) Strengthening communities by Supporting community initiatives and development projects Advocating provisions of support to allow residents to participate in the life of the community Address areas of social need (iii) Contributing to safe and healthy lifestyles Providing parks and recreation and leisure services Supporting self help initiatives (iv) Ensuring that needs and aspirations of children, youth and elderly are taken into account B. The City Council will contribute to Christchurch s environmental sustainability through: (i) Managing our impact on the environment Maintain the productive potential of fertile soils (ii) Ensuring that the development and redevelopment of the built environment Enhances the unique qualities of the city particularly parks, gardens and riverbanks (iii) Protecting natural features of the physical environment, open spaces, landscape elements and native habitat, ecosystems and other taonga. (iv) Promoting the efficient use of physical resources, an increase in recycling and material recovery, and a reduction of waste C. The City Council will facilitate democratic Governance for the residents of Christchurch by: (i) Creating and maintaining mechanisms for citizens participation in decision making and policy development. For more information : Page 6 of 6