Blanca Garcia, Gloria Gapper and Tina Cutajar are hoping the council and local community throw their support behind the Springvale Community Garden. 51161 Picture: Stewart Chambers
By Lia Bichel
THE Springvale Community Garden needs more than a little sunshine to keep it growing.
The group’s president Gloria Gapper said the Springvale Community Garden has been running for more than 30 years, but decreased membership, increased council rates and skyrocketing water bills are making it difficult to continue.
“We are running into trouble,” she said.
“We need some new members. Water bills have gone up 30 per cent and we are paying lots of rates. We are not sure if we are going to survive now.”
The council gave the organisation a 40 per cent discount on rates, Ms Gapper said, but that was not enough.
“We are hoping we can get some more discount on our rates. All our money goes into rates, if anything breaks down and we have to replace it, we have no left over money to do so,” she said.
Ms Gapper said increased membership might help the Springvale Community Garden survive, but people did not realise the expense that comes with it.
“There are 17 of us and we have about eight vacant plots,” she said.
“But everyone thinks being a member is free and it actually costs $60 a plot. Most members are retired or pensioners. For a small group, it’s too much money.”
Members of the group have applied for grants and are considering conducting fundraisers such as sausage sizzles at Bunning’s Warehouse to raise enough money to “keep their head above water”, Ms Gapper said.
City of Greater Dandenong’s Community Services director Mark Doubleday said the council acknowledged the challenges expressed by the Springvale Community Garden Group.
“The Springvale Community Garden Group receives a 40 per cent discount off its rates, which is consistent with the level of rate discount for other community groups,” he said.
“The council will meet with the group to understand more about its financial position and any future plans to enhance the program.
The council would like to see a vibrant community garden program and would be interested to talk with the group about how this could be developed.”
Anyone interested in becoming a member or speaking to the group about funding options can call Springvale Community Garden’s secretary Tina Cutajar on 9548 2315.
