Mayor of Kingborough, Cr Dean Winter officially opened a new worm farm at Taroona Neighbourhood Garden (TNG), on Saturday, August 1.

Locals are invited to dispose of their kitchen waste in the new worm farm, which will house up to 40,000 earthworms.

Taroona Neighbourhood Garden Inc, established on council land in Taroona Park in 2007, is a voluntary organisation operated by 50 member families who grow vegetables on individual plots and collaborate to cultivate the perimeter areas, where they share the produce. 

The worms will recycle up to 20 litres of waste per day, providing a rich organic fertiliser of ‘worm wee’ and worm castings to feed the garden.

The worm farm was manufactured specifically for TNG at a cost of $3920.

Mayor Winter acknowledged the work of Cr Amanda Midgley who found savings in Kingborough Council’s Community Waste Education Budget and moved the motion, seconded by Cr Gideon Cordover, to fund the project.

Cr Midgely assisted Mayor Winter in tipping the first bucket of kitchen scraps into the worm farm.

“It is wonderful that council can support the installation of a large-scale community worm farm for the TNG,” said Cr Midgley.

“It replaces one that had been in place for over 10 years with something robust that will last 30 years or more. 

“Members of the TNG will contribute full ongoing management of the facility and undertake community education to increase use of the worm farm and thereby reduce food waste in the roadside collection.

“TNG has seen an increase in local people making deposits of food and kitchen waste into the TNG worm farm in recent years," Cr Midgley continued.

“TNG is experiencing increased visitation from non- members and is gaining a higher profile and visibility in the community.

“Many visitors ask about home vegetable growing, composting and other organic gardening topics. 

“Social connection is something we have all been craving through the isolating times of the pandemic.

“A community worm farm is a great way to bring people together as well as achieve environmental and community benefits.

“I thank the members of TNG for all they do for their local community.”

The event was well-attended by elected representatives, including Deputy Mayor of Kingborough, Cr Jo Westwood, Kingborough Councillors Cr Amanda Midgley, Cr Gideon Cordover, Cr Flora Fox, Cr Steve Wass, Member for Nelson Meg Webb MLC and Member for Clark Ella Haddad MP.

Local chef and Taroona neighbourhood gardener Peter Lutz kindly shared his recipe for beetroot, carrot and zucchini cake with Kingborough Chronicle readers, see page 10 of the August 11 edition.

Further information on the Taroona Neighbourhood Garden can be found at https://taroona.tas.au/neighbourhood-garden/

Pictured above: 

David Coleman, Mayor of Kingborough Cr Dean Winter, Kingborough Councillors Cr Gideon Cordover and Cr Amanda Midgley and Secretary for the Taroona Neighbourhood Garden Association Deirdre Brown, with the new worm farm, which was officially opened by Mayor Winter on Saturday, August 1. 

Kingborough Councillor Flora Fox and Louise Watt admired the living tea cup sculpture at the Taroona Neighbourhood Garden while attending the launch of the new worm farm. 

Kingborough Councillor Amanda Midgley, who moved the motion fund the community worm farm, was in attendance at the launch on Saturday, August 1 and enjoyed a conversation with Michael Lynch and Jill Hickie. 

Deputy Mayor of Kingborough, Cr Jo Westwood, Fraser Westwood, Judy Coleman and Mayor of Kingborough, Cr Dean Winter enjoyed the fresh air and community gathering for the official launch of the new work farm at the Taroona Neighbourhood Garden.

Christophe, Louis, Janelle, Kylie and Kingborough Councillor Gideon Cordover were among those attending the launch of the new worm farm on Saturday, August 1.