Plans for Sydney city farm move ahead

Sydney Park in St Peters and the disused Powerhouse Museum car park could soon become sources of fresh farm produce in the heart of Sydney.

The two sites form the proposed City Farm, which is currently being considered by Council.

“City Farms provide hands-on experiences that teach residents, businesses and schools important lessons about food production and sustainable living in an urban environment,” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP.

“The development of a fresh food farm in the City would provide wide social, community and environmental benefits, giving Sydneysiders a chance to get their hands dirty and improve their ability to live green.”

Coordinator of Community Gardens and Landcare Volunteers, Russ Grayson, said feedback from the community had been positive.

“There is definitely a demand for the City Farm,” he said.

“Sydney is one of the only major cities lacking a city farm.”

Creator of the first sustainable house in the city and sustainability pioneer, Michael Mobbs, told City News community initiatives such as gardens and farms are not only a source of fresh produce, they also help to strengthen community bonds.

“Since we have created the ‘free food’ gardens on our street people are talking to each other on the street about the gardens,” he said.

“It’s a source of pride on our street and has definitely led to increased interaction in our suburb.”

The proposed farm will make use of a one hectare section of Sydney Park and the disused Powerhouse Museum car park in Ultimo as joint City Farm sites, with opportunities for further expansion as interest in the program grows.

The proposed farm could include demonstration gardens and orchards, space for community art projects and events, educational facilities and displays about sustainable living, communal composting facilities, food outlets selling organic produce such as farmers markets, and small farm animals.

While sustainability hubs are currently being built or considered in other areas of Sydney, including Randwick and Blacktown, central Sydney is one of the few major Australian cities that does not have a City Farm.

If endorsed by Council, the feasibility study will be placed on public exhibition and further community consultation will take place this year.

For more information about Sydney City Farm, visit: www.sydneycityfarm.org

By Simon Black