Council gives 20 000 thumbs up for ‘edible outdoor room’

City of Sydney has approved a $20 000 grant to create an ‘edible outdoor room’ on Foster Street, Surry Hills.

The project, approved at Monday’s Council meeting, aims to create up to three outdoor rooms which will include a number of potted edible plants.

Sam Crawford, who is directing the project, said the gardens would encourage and eventually rely on the involvement of the Surry Hills community.

“They can learn about growing plants in urban environments and to do with cooking them,” he said.

“Someone will need to find a group of volunteers to maintain the site.”

Acclaimed chef Hamish Ingham, who runs nearby Bar H, has put his hand up to run a number of  workshops that teaches the community how to grow, maintain and cook the edible plants on offer in the gardens.

Mr Ingham’s wife, Rebecca Lines, said the project concentrates on the relationship between the installation and its nearby residents.

“He’s incredibly excited to do it,” she said.

“There is a focus on him going down and doing workshops with the community . . . There will be on going talks when the herbs grows.”

Mr Crawford said this project is just the start of an ultimate plan to activate the area.

“If it’s successful we will be looking at the longer term . . .  the ultimate plan is the transformation of foster Street.”

Mr Crawford said he wants to widen the street’s footpaths to allow the resident business to expand onto the streetscape.