The Warrumbungle Shire Council is preparing to make its long-awaited decision about whether to allow the Coonabarabran community garden project to be built on a vacant block of council land. 

The council is preparing to make the decision now it has received a confidential report into “the aim of identifying a suitable parcel of land and entering into an agreeable lease agreement including what is required to develop a Community Garden in Coonabarabran”.  

Last year the 2357 Development Group, which is behind the push for the community garden, proposed the use of Lot 8, Section 4, 24-26 Robertson Street, Coonabarabran NSW, as a possible location for the community garden. This block is situated at the end of Robertson Street near the Castlereagh River.

The Coonabarabran Community Garden project is a subcommittee under the umbrella of 2357 Development Group Inc. They are seeking members to create a standalone committee for the Community Garden, incorporate the association, and organise Public Liability insurance. 

The proposed site. Image: Facebook. 

It is already holding monthly events at the site where 50-80 people swap seeds, plants, and produce and make plans for the garden.

Next month’s session will also feature three guitarists, a drummer and a coffee van. 

Brett England, the driving force behind the idea, told the Western Plains App that the block was an ideal place to be build “community spirit in Coonabarabran”. 

He said the community events at the site had brought together many people from the community. 

“We have had Indians, Malaysians, a Vietnamese woman who already has the most magnificent vegetable garden. We also have Kenyans. All of them are into growing something different, so I think once this project comes off it really will be fantastic”. 

Mr England said he had been working on trying to get the project started for 18 months. 

“I know it took them three years to get a garden started, but it took Gilgandra just a couple of months. So from here - its anybody’s guess how long it take” 

Warrumbungle Shire Council hasn't yet given an indication of timeline but has said “This issue is of interest to the Coonabarabran community and is considered to be of moderate community impact. Therefore, the level of engagement is to inform and consult” the report said.