3 December 2010
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, with the first step in realising a City Farm set to go before Council next week.
Following requests from residents and a series of community consultation sessions, the City of Sydney has prepared a City Farm Feasibility Study. The study outlines potential sites, management models and implementation strategies for a farm showcasing orchards, market gardens, small animals like chickens and environmental initiatives.
“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.”
The feasibility study before Council proposes the 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.
Depending on community feedback, the proposed City 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.
The City was first approached in 2009 by Sydney City Farm, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to establishing a farm in central Sydney, about finding a suitable site within the LGA.
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.
The study’s two preferred sites were chosen from a shortlist of four, also including the Crescent Lands and Harold Park. Sydney Park is a 44 hectare City-owned park in Sydney’s inner west, famed for its historic brick kilns, which were in operation from 1948 to 1976. The Powerhouse Museum’s disused car park in Ultimo is centrally located, close to Darling Harbour, Central Station and surrounding universities.
If endorsed by Council, the feasibility study will be placed on public exhibition and further community consultation will take place in early 2011. For more information about Sydney City Farm, visit: www.sydneycityfarm.org
Media Contact: Keeley Irvin (02) 9265 9106 or kirvin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
December 5, 2010
NSW