Below is the text of an email that Colleen Hartland MLC sent to Mayor Sanli and Councillor Carter in support of a community garden on the Maidstone Public Hall site.
Dear Mayor Sanli,
Re: Support for establishment of a community garden at the Maidstone Hall site.
I am writing to you to express my strong support for retaining the Maidstone Hall site in the hands of the community, and to support the proposal for a community garden and demonstration sustainability centre.
Community gardens bring great benefit to individuals, communities and neighbourhoods. They provide much needed open space ? an asset becoming increasingly important with a growing population and density. Community gardens also have positive health and social wellbeing outcomes through providing fresh produce, but also a source of physical activity, a site for social and community activities, and provides many educational opportunities. Health and social wellbeing outcomes are of great priority with many health concerns and social exclusion evident in our communities. The best part of community gardens is that they are open to participation for the whole of the community.
There are many examples across Victoria, Australia and the world demonstrating successful community garden projects undertaken in partnership with local councils, and the many benefits that have resulted. These include at Ringwood, St Kilda, CERES on the Merri Creek and many more.
I encourage you to support the proposal for a community garden and demonstration sustainability centre for the Maidstone Hall site.
Yours Sincerely
Colleen Hartland
St Kilda Community gardens