Ballarat Community Gardens

SAVING THE OAKTREE

SAVING THE OAKTREE

The Ballarat Community Gardens seek help protect and improve the growing conditions of a decades-old oak tree at the western end of our gardens. The land that the tree grows on, is on Waddawarung Country, in Ballarat, Victoria, previously used as a playground for the Queen Street, primary school opposite, now closed and used for ...

Australia > VIC > Regional
16/09/2024 > 31/12/2024

Field of Interest

  • Environment conservation and climate change
  • Health/wellbeing and medical research

Target Population

  • General population
Ballarat Community Gardens Ballarat Community Gardens

Since 2004 the BCG has been an invaluable community asset and is one of the largest and most successful community gardens in Victoria. We are a not-for-profit organisation, promoting organic and sustainable practices, for the benefit, enjoyment and education, to our members and associates. The wider community is welcome to events and provides associate membership, to encourage the community to be part of the gardens broader activities and connect with other people with an interest in community gardening

Project Summary

The Ballarat Community Gardens seek help protect and improve the growing conditions of a decades-old oak tree at the western end of our gardens.

The land that the tree grows on, is on Waddawarung Country, in Ballarat, Victoria, previously used as a playground for the Queen Street, primary school opposite, now closed and used for our communication gardens. For many years, it has sat with soil, rubbish, a concrete pipe and rubber tyres, pushed up against one side, which according to an arborist report, is detrimental to the tree.

“I would agree that the tree would benefit from the removal of built up areas from around the base of the tree. The noted soil compaction is a concern and will almost certainly be having an impact on the health and longevity of the tree.” Glenn Waters Arboriculture

The amount of compacted earth, along with rubble is impossible to remove by hand and the assistance of a quality landscaper, with appropriate machinery is required, please see quote. An application of thick mulch will then be required to help feed the soil and protect the roots of the tree, for years to come.

Once this has all been established the tree and the area below it’s branches, will be an area of delight for the community garden members and the many community members that walk by daily and stop to chat. It will provide excellent shade in summer for all those inside and outside the gardens and a talking point of education, as people enquire, on both sides of the fence it stands against, about the process of resurrecting and protecting a long neglected tree.

With the aid of a grant, we hope to revive this beautiful tree to give pleasure and repose to old, young and in-between, for many years to come.

Project Outcomes

We hope to revive and protect this beautiful tree, to allow people to appreciate and respect the beauty and importance of trees in our environment and to show what can be done with to turn a neglected area, into one of respect and delight for many more years to come.

Budget Breakdown

TOTAL BUDGET: $900
FUNDING
Funding source Amount
Funding gap (unconfirmed) $900
EXPENSES
Expense item Amount
Landscaping $600
Mulch $300

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Level 6, 126 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Australian Communities Foundation is a proudly inclusive organisation and an ally of LGBTQIA+ communities and the movement toward equality.