Garden plots consist of two types. 

* Community Plots for all to garden in, where produce is shared out, used for fundraising, learning and education, charities and other communal uses.

Community plots will always be free for all to use in the production of community food.  At the present time at least 15 community plots of varying sizes are planned. The operation of the community plots is different to privately rented plots.  What the ratio of  community plots to rental plots ends up being will be decided as demand is determined, however  both are planned for in the early stages. 

* Rental Plots  are plots that will be made available for members of the garden to 'rent' on an annual basis for a fee, and where the renter's have ownership of the food they 'grow'.  Rental plots are the main way our garden can generate income to  cover the operational costs of the garden as a whole! 

Conditions for how community plots and individual rental plots are managed are included in the "Operating Rules and Procedures" available for viewing and download from our Filing Cabinet.

The majority of garden bed sizes are  2.4 metres wide by 9.6 metres long.  This equals one standard bed. The site will hold approximately 28 standard beds of this size as rental plots as per the current planned Garden Design.   Each of these beds will be divided into quarters with each quarter-bed measuring  2.4 x 2.4 m (approx 5.75 sq m). 

Due to the expected demand for plot rentals the maximum size that may be allocated initially per single/family membership is 1/2 (half) a standard bed measuring in total 2.4 x 4.8 m  (approx 11.5 sq m), although a member may elect to only rent 1 (one) quarter bed at 2.4 x 2.4m if they do not want the larger area.   This is to maximize the amount of members able to have a rental plot (we estimate approx 56-65  members in total will be able to rent a plot once all are developed).  If demand isn't as great as estimated then the maximum allocation will be reviewed. 

Organisations will have the option to have the same allocation  of up to half a bed but may have a full bed, 2.4 x 9.6 for an additional fee.  This is due to organisations servicing multiple users so more of the community can participate. Organisations are classed as things like schools, clubs, charity groups, not for profit organisations etc  where the produce produced on the rented plot will be shared among many members of their organisation or used for educational purposes etc.

Membership is defined by how payment is received (for example an individual, family or organisation each equal one membership)  Rental plots will be allocated initially to existing members who joined prior to 19 June 2011 by  order of joining date as per dated membership receipt until  all interested have submitted their applications (to be submitted by no later than 1July 2011) after this date applications for plots will be processed strictly in the order they are received. 

To apply for a Rental Plot

Fill in the application form available in the Filing Cabinet and post to Ballina Community Gardens, PO Box 858, Ballina NSW, 2478 or bring it along to the garden and submit it to any committee member. Once facilities are on site an application box will be also be used.  You will be contacted by the committee and advised of plot availability and how to pay at the time of allocation or when a plot is built and becomes available.