Banish all thoughts of scruffy allotment gardens, this community garden will be a well-designed, professionally run showcase of permaculture excellence, according to the motivated group of volunteers.

“We’re looking at the showgrounds and a few other sites, although we welcome any suggestions for a site with a north-east aspect, in a location that needs to be near medium density housing for the garden concept to work,” volunteer Adam Curlis said.

“We want to create a garden that will be an inviting, lush forest of food, well managed and maintained, not a derelict compost heap of tyres which some people may imagine,” fellow volunteer Steve McGrane said.

Once established, the community garden will be an educational resource, demonstrating some of the garden design principles of permaculture now sweeping the world, as well a host location for compost and water saving workshops.

Coffs Harbour City Council will hold the grant funds, which will cover the cost of a part-time garden coordinator for two years, starting early next year, and basic garden infrastructure.

n Contact adam.curlis@tafensw.edu.au to find out more about how you can become involved as a volunteer or to suggest potential sites for the community garden.