The concept for the River Garden grew from a need to engage our changing demographic (traditional family farms are being replaced by tree changers and lifestyle farmers), encourage diverse land uses, and provide more fresh fruit and vegetables to our community.

There are only limited opportunities to buy fresh food in Bass and the east coast communities of Western Port so the garden was a way of helping to expand the local food economy, working alongside existing local food aggregators such as Grow Lightly and Udder and Hoe.

The River Garden seeks to improve human health by teaching chemical-free techniques of growing nutrient dense food and encouraging people to engage in the well documented health benefits of gardening. Soil and landscape health are improved by using chemical-free regenerative techniques that increase soil health and volume over time. Community health is targeted by forming a creative community around healthy food growing. By stimulating the local food economy and encouraging a diversification of agricultural enterprises we are also improving regional economic health.

In consultation with the founders of the Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies (CERES) and other experts we created our first master plan in 2016. A framework of guiding principles and designated spaces was outlined so the site would develop in a flexible way to meet the needs and interests of those involved.

The River Garden was launched in December 2017. In 2018 funding from the Port Phillip and Westernport CMA enabled us to run a series of four workshops. Horticulture expert Jarrod Ruch (former head gardener at The Diggers Club) facilitated the series. Participants learned invaluable techniques and we established plants and infrastructure while watching the garden take shape.