Waitaki Community Garden

The Community Clean Up project has been operating in the Waitaki District since November 2006. Youth who have offended against the community are tasked with sweeping and water blasting the streets, picking up litter and glass, removing graffiti and painting and repairing Council and public property.

As an extension of the Community Clean Up Program and in partnership with Resource Recovery Centre management, the wider community and organizations, the development and use of space as a community garden/learning centre was proposed.

The proposed goal of the project is to create a physical and social environment where the skills and experience of the community, particularly senior citizens, can help at risk and disadvantaged youth achieve their maximum potential.

Council approved the development of the Community Garden/Learning Centre on Waitaki District Council land adjacent to the Waitaki Resource Recovery Park.

The space will:

• be good use of a public space
• promote ownership of the space
• be a space for youth
• promote mentoring of youth 
• provide opportunity for youth to learn about recycling, growing and maintaining vegetable gardens and grow plants to be used in the community
• provide scope to bring in school students and support staff to the centre as an education opportunity
• add to maintenance of the site
• possible cadetship candidates for Parks and Reserves
• be a support partner in the heritage seedling and planting programme

The proposed area is at the West end of the Oamaru Gardens. The space was originally a community garden around 20 years ago run by local Scout groups. The area is currently managed through a grazing lease that includes Glen Eden, Glen Warren and Hospital Hill Reserves (with public access). Financial implications on the lease would be minimal.

The site is one of two links to the Oamaru South Hill and Skyline Walkway.

There is water at the site, a small shelter, well fenced with secure access points.

With the support of the key stakeholders, volunteers and Resource Recovery Centre staff made this site ideal and supports long term maintenance and security.