Norwest developer Mulpha has enlisted the support of Norwest Community Association and the Hills Women Shed to manage a community garden on the Norwest Quarter development site, one of many initiatives being planned to promote a healthy, sustainable lifestyle and build a vibrant socially connected community in Norwest.
All Norwest residents are welcome to join the Norwest Quarter Community Garden group. Residents have the option of becoming a member of the group, which will give them access to the communal veggie pods or they can hire their own veggie pod for 12 months. To find out more, contact Tuula Schaeffer at [email protected].
The community garden, located on the corner of Natura Rise and Solent Circuit, Norwest, will not only supply the local community with fresh, seasonal, organically grown produce but will also enable people to connect with nature and each other through a healthy enjoyable activity that is great fun for people of all ages.
Many of the initiatives being planned for the community garden are a taste of what is to come for future residents of Norwest Quarter. Six 1000L trees located in the centre of the community garden will be replanted into Norwest Quarter once construction is complete. Similarly, beekeeping, worm farms and large rainwater harvesting system will be some of the many sustainability features to be adopted by the new community.
An e-Water system using electrolysis technology to provide an efficient, safe and sustainable sanitation system is being trialled in the women’s shed with a view to broader adoption throughout Norwest Quarter.
After an initial training workshop, the Norwest Community Gardening Group will manage most of the veggie pods and the allocation of others based on public interest, as well as training new members. The group will create a list of ongoing tasks required for the garden and a roster to ensure the veggie pods are always maintained. Mulpha will supply all gardening tools required to maintain the garden, and all members will have access to them.
Coordinator of the Norwest Community Garden Group, Tuula Schaeffer, said:
“We have had a very positive response to the community garden group with over 10 residents interested in joining the group.
“The community garden will enable people to grow fresh, organic food in a productive and sustainable way, while providing a welcoming space to relax and enjoy the company of others.
“No experience is necessary, just an interest in growing your own food and learning and sharing with others. We will provide initial training and aim to hold regular workshops to engage the community and develop gardening skills.”
Norwest master developer Mulpha is supporting the new community garden as part of its commitment to build its Norwest Quarter development as a zero-carbon precinct, incorporating sustainable design principles from conception through to its construction and long-term performance. The aim is to lower energy bills while increasing wellbeing through healthier buildings, better air quality, and greater access to nature.
Mulpha Head of Developments, Tim Spencer, said:
“Mulpha is very pleased to support the new community garden which delivers on the three pillars of Norwest Quarter – landscape, sustainability and community. We hope it will become a key part of making Norwest Quarter a truly sustainable community, encouraging environmental sustainability, active healthy lifestyles and a socially engaged community.”
For further information and/or to speak to Tim Spencer, contact Sarah Peattie on 0412 239 633.
Mulpha Norwest is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mulpha Australia Pty Limited, which acquires, develops, and manages a range of property and lifestyle investments. These include Hayman Island, Intercontinental Hotel Sydney, Sanctuary Cove Resort and Bimbadgen winery. As well as developing the master planned communities of Bella Vista in the Hills District and Mulgoa Rise in Western Sydney, Mulpha Australia is transforming the 377-hectare Norwest Business Park into a world-leading innovation, lifestyle, and economic hub, with all the features of a ‘Smart City’.