- The Cook Government's 2024-25 Community Gardens Grants Program investing nearly $270,000 to deliver 35 new projects
- The expanded program will see more than 20 projects delivered in regional Western Australia
- 2024 grants include edible gardens, educational programs and sustainable food initiatives
With nearly $270,000 invested in the 2024-25 Community Gardens Grants Program, the Cook Government is helping 35 new green thumb projects blossom across Western Australia.
The program's latest round will plant the seed for more than 20 of those projects to flourish in regional locations such as Exmouth and Dunsborough.
It brings the total number of projects supported through the program to almost 100 over the past two years.
The Cook Government expanded the funding available for the program in July in recognition of budding community interest.
Local governments and not-for-profit organisations can apply for up to $10,000 in funding assistance through the program to establish and develop sustainable and edible community gardens in their local areas.
Community garden projects encourage people to come together to connect with the environment, establish connections with neighbours, and develop new skills.
Projects funded include:
- $10,000 for Shire of East Pilbara to design and implement a community garden at the Newman Youth Centre;
- $9,954 for Ngnowar-Aerwah Aboriginal Corporation to establish an edible community garden in Wyndham;
- $10,000 for City of Mandurah to run the Grow It Local Mandurah project, which will help bolster understanding of the benefits of edible growing at home; and
- $9,700 for Exmouth Community Garden to work with local Aboriginal people to share knowledge of local bush tucker and medicinal plants.
Further information on the Community Gardens Grants Program is available on the Department of Communities website .
As stated by Community Services Minister Sabine Winton:
"The Community Gardens Grants Program is a fantastic example of the Cook Government investing in initiatives that help our communities thrive.
"It is particularly exciting to see so many new projects being delivered in regional areas, where building relationships with neighbours is so important.
"I've been fortunate enough to visit several community gardens across WA and have seen firsthand how they foster collaboration and shared commitment.
"I want to encourage people of all ages and abilities to get involved in their community garden."
