Community gardens policy

Introduction | Policy context | Issues and opportunities | Policy | Proposal | Criteria for assessment

6.0 Criteria for assessment

Criteria are needed to help assess the likely success of any proposal to locate community gardens on public open space. Assessment criteria for community garden proposals fall within the following categories:

• The nature of the receiving environment
• The characteristics of the proposed community garden activity.

Consideration of the receiving environment

The receiving environment covers not just the physical and natural environment. It includes the social, cultural and policy environments which influence the decision-making. Factors for assessing a community gardening proposal include:

• Whether the natural and physical characteristics are conducive to successful community gardening. These include aspect, topography, soils and soil toxicity, the presence of other vegetation, exposure/shelter and flooding potential.
• Whether health and safety issues, such as poor access or lighting, steep or eroded banks, unfenced watercourses or previously contaminated sites or landfills, can be addressed.
• Whether the location allows good access to the site for community groups or individuals.
• Whether the location has good access to site infrastructure such as water, drainage and transport.
• Whether there are Treaty of Waitangi issues or claims relating to the site.
• The presence or proximity of significant natural, cultural or heritage sites, which may be protected through the District Plan or the Historic Places register.
• The site’s compliance with any regulations or development controls, including the site’s zoning, classification and management plans prepared under the Reserves Act.
• Whether the proposed community garden would enhance the social amenities and economic wellbeing of the neighbourhood, and whether or not it will be supported and used by nearby residents.
• How the proposal fits with council policies, strategies and plans.
• How the proposal fits with central government’s strategies relating to economic development and employment creation, waste management and community development.
• Whether the community garden is more suited to a private open space location.
• Whether the space is suitable for other uses.
• Potential conflict will adjoining land uses.

Consideration of the proposed community gardening activity

Factors for assessing the proposed gardening activity cover the establishment and operation of a community garden on a particular site. This will be assessed according to the criteria outlined in Section 5.0 of this policy.

Published July 2002