The heritage of the Redland Bay farming community has been preserved with the Redland Coast Community Garden being opened at Fielding Road, Redland Bay at 2pm on October 10.
The idea for the garden was first mooted three years ago and about one year of hard work and local sponsorship has paid off for the 4000 square metre plot. The original committee comprised Craig Luxton and Daryl Bennett of Mount Cotton and Stephanie Eaton of Redland Bay.
- Read more: Fielding Park to house community garden
Project builder Craig Wilson who hails from a Redland Bay farming family said it was his passion to build something using tried and tested farming skills and, in so doing, bring a community together.
"There is nothing like dirt between people's fingernails to bring people to chat and to talk together. This is a wonderful community driver that can halt the cycle of depression and give people a sense of belonging," he said.
Mr Wilson said with the dramatic change in Redland Bay between 1995-2005 where the suburb changed from being largely agricultural to residential, the existing residents felt they had lost their neighbourhood.
"People feel re positioned when a large number of people move in. And those people moving in may have a sense of not belonging. A dysfunctional community sees increased crime and mental health issues. It is our hope that the community garden will bring people together and help them come into their own," he said.
The project includes large concrete pipes which have been sunk into the ground, areas of rock and soil and intensive irrigation systems. The area is fully fenced and has already attracted great community interest. Trees include avocado, citrus and a Redland Bay custard apple variety as well as passionfruit, gladioli and vegetables and herbs.
"We want to plant what this area is known for. This used to the salad bowl of Brisbane. I want this project to be a cracker and a demonstration of what the city once stood for."
Mr Wilson said that shipping containers on site shared a local story with photos and the history of Redland Bay and Mount Cotton area. He said that many farmers had sponsored the project with other income coming from local businesses, council and grants.
A large amount of work has been completed by Redland landscaper Peter Goleby of Mount Cotton Landscaping.
"It has been a mammoth effort," Mr Goleby said.
The Redlands Coast Salad Bowl Community Gardens will open on Sunday October 10 at 2pm.
