New orchard and garden for the Island community

An exciting community-run project that aims to share, inspire, educate and engage with the Phillip Island community.

With an emphasis on building liveable and healthy communities, Westernport Water is proud to partner the Island community in establishing a new and exciting community orchard and garden.
The Phillip Island Community Orchard and Garden plans to be a community-run project that aims to share, inspire, educate and engage with the local community.
“What sets it apart from other community gardens is the orchard design, access to class-A recycled water and its ability to grow larger crops on the one hectare site,” said Murray Jackson Westernport Water’s Managing Director.
“Located in Wimbledon Heights next to the Corporations recycled water storage, this vacant one hectare parcel of land will be transformed into an attractive and sustainable orchard and garden, which promotes local food production, sustainability and will demonstrate the benefits of gardening with recycled water.
“The concept and idea of a community orchard/garden was first introduced to Westernport Water by a small group of dedicated community gardeners known as the Island Orchard Co-op, who are the driving force behind this project.
“In addition, other organisations and community groups have expressed their support and in particular Bass Coast Landcare Network and Phillip Island Landcare Group who are planning to setup a bush tucker and indigenous demonstration site, and thanks to local councillors Cr. Phil Wright, Cr. Kimberley Brown and Cr. Andrew Phillips the project now has funding support for the first phase of planting,” Mr Jackson explained.
“It’s only early days, however this is proving to be a very exciting community project. We will be consulting with the various stakeholders and the local community over the coming months for their ideas and input during the lead up to an official community open day,” said Mr Jackson.
Prospective gardeners and enquires about joining the community orchard and garden project should contact Geoff Russell at Westernport Water on 5956 4140, alternatively a copy of a volunteer registration pack will be available on the Westernport Water website in the coming weeks.