Minister for Public Works, Housing and Racing, Robert Schwarten, today officially opened the Endeavour Queens Road Community Garden, in Kingston.Mr Schwarten joined the Minister for Employment,Training and Industrial Relations, and Member for Waterford, Tom Barton and Member for Woodridge, Desley Scott, at the opening which was strongly attended with over 300 people at the celebrations.
He said the community garden was an initiative of the State Government and was part of Community Renewal activities in the Kingston and Woodridge areas.
"In total the project cost around $199,000 with Community Renewal contributing more than $96,000 towards the project," Mr Schwarten said.
"Community gardening is a great way to enjoy the outdoors by working with other people while learning new horticulture skills.
"The garden includes a green house, herb garden, 'bush tucker' garden, recycling and compost station, and a small citrus orchard. Toilets, pathways, seating and other amenities have also been constructed."
Mr Barton said the Department of Employment and Training through the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative contributed $96,000 towards the completion of the community garden.
"This funded Boystown to employ a supervisor and cover training costs for eight local young people to get their hands dirty and learn horticultural skills," he said.
"These young people helped build the garden over 18 weeks.
"This project really highlights what can be achieved when government and non-government agencies and the community all work together.
"I encourage everyone in Kingston to come and make the garden their own."
Member for Woodridge, Desley Scott, said the project had also been developed and designed by a community management group in partnership with the Endeavour Kingston Adult Training and Support Service.
Mrs Scott said Endeavour was Australia's largest not-for-profit organisation for people with an intellectual disability, and plays a major role in influencing new disability programs and communicating with the public about people with an intellectual disability.
"Endeavour contributed $6,240 towards the Community Garden," she said.
"People with intellectual disabilities will be able to undertake training in horticulture garden construction and maintenance and develop small work enterprise projects.
"Education in horticulture, garden construction and maintenance will be conducted in the outdoor teaching and learning amphitheatre."
The Department of Housing's Community Renewal program has funded 89 projects and contributed just over $5.9 million to Kingston since December 1998.
Community Renewal is a Queensland Government initiative coordinated by the Department of Housing in conjunction with local residents, the Logan City Council and other government and non-government agencies.
Further information: Minister Schwarten's Office 3237 1832
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