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Supporting Community Laneway Garden Initiatives

Decision Maker: Council

Decision status: Recommendations Determined

Decision:

Original motion moved by Councillor Scully, seconded by the Chair (the Lord Mayor) -

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          the Covid-19 Community Recovery Plan gives direction to how we will support the economic and social recovery of our City. Action Area 1 is to “Safely manage public places and streets to support community life and business” and Action Area 3 is to “Strengthen community cohesion to build the resilience of local communities”;

(ii)         the draft Greening Sydney Strategy sets the directions, targets, and actions for all aspects of greening within the City of Sydney. Action 2 of the Strategy - ‘Green Our Laneways’ - identifies the opportunity for transforming laneways into greener shared spaces;

(iii)        local communities surrounding Hewit Avenue, Glebe and Hayden Lane, Darlinghurst have established a social laneway gardening initiative in each of these locations over the last few months, which includes donated pot plants, hanging plants and potted trees, and they are interested in opportunities to continue improvements including:

(a)        on-site water capture with a tank, pump and tap for watering;

(b)        street art and creative installations;

(c)         opportunities for social gathering and performances;

(d)        improved lighting;

(e)        curb extensions or partial asphalt removal, where possible;

(f)          planter boxes; and

(g)        upgraded pedestrian path surface, with porous asphalt or lighter coloured paving, where possible;

(iv)       these community-led initiatives could be considered as a trial project to deliver on the objectives of Action 2 under the Greening Sydney Strategy - Green Our Laneways;

(v)         these initiatives have already started to deliver multiple benefits to the community including:

(a)        increased greening, urban cooling and biodiversity;

(b)        building social connectedness and community resilience;

(c)         providing access to locally grown produce;

(d)        opportunities for learning and sharing knowledge;

(e)        use of underutilised space;

(f)          discouraging rubbish dumping through laneway activation and beautification; and

(g)        safer streets and thoroughfares;

(vi)       these positive outcomes could be further enhanced with advice, support and some works by the City, but currently, these types of laneway gardening initiatives aren’t covered by our Community Gardens or Footpath Gardening policies; and

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)          identify where support can be provided to the community to enable them to improve these laneways, including initiatives to improve lighting and increase planting space, enable water capture and storage on site, and include public art, and liaise with the Hewit Avenue and Hayden Lane residents about how Council might support their projects;

(ii)         investigate expanding our Community Gardens Policy and Footpath Gardening Policy to include laneway garden initiatives;

(iii)        investigate whether these initiatives, and other similar initiatives, could be supported under any of the City’s policies or strategies and how residents may access this support and how a community-led laneway greening approach might help the City deliver on the goals set out in the Greening Sydney Strategy; and

(iv)       report back to Councillors via the CEO Update on the outcome of these actions.

The motion, as varied by consent, was carried unanimously.

S129264

Report author: Erin Cashman

Publication date: 29/03/2021

Date of decision: 29/03/2021

Decided at meeting: 29/03/2021 - Council

Accompanying Documents: