This is just a brief report on progress of one part of our community gardening here: public composting.

It’s also a thanks to Sydney City Council, it’s General Manager, Monica Barone, Councillors Harris and McInerney, and waste education coordinator officer, Michael Neville, and other staff and councillors; thanks for  your support and vision which is a real confidence booster for us all here.  Together I think we’re doing something positive that could not be done otherwise.

Firstly, Council’s Waste officer, Michael Neville, has let me know of the enquiries he has had about the public composting and they are:

Councils interested in the project

these Councils have either requested information or been for a site visit: Marrickville, Waverley, Randwick, Woollahra, Leichhardt, Wollongong

Residents

10 local residents have registered interest in participating in the evaluation process for Peace Park

I have had enquiries from residents in 4 other suburbs asking for assistance in communal composting (Redfern, Surry Hills and Darlinghurst).

I’ve had this interest:

- about one or more enquiries a week for the last year from media and they are growing, and several web and social media videos (SMH, SBS, CNN, etc)

- TAFE teachers from Petersham, Ultimo, Gunnedah and others are bringing their students here or using photos and information from us to include in their courses, as are teachers from UTS, Sydney and UNSW universities

- landscape architects are using it in their design for councils (eg Leichhardt) and private clients

- developers are using it to broaden the scope of their design and project appeal

Local support from businesses, residents and workers is strong and growing.  About six or more locals work on the bins and the road gardens each Friday and sometimes Saturdays with other folks out there whenever.

Ah, don’t you love it,

M