Article: Brooklyn leads the way with orchard for all

We were delighted with a story by journalism student Chris Armstrong. He published this story on News Wire, WaeaRongokorero, the Whitireia journalism website on 12 March 2010.

On a Tuesday evening Brooklyn residents Mel Beirne and Kelda Hains can be found tending the fruit trees in Wellington’s only organic community orchard.

The project is about to be duplicated just five kilometres away, when Owhiro Bay community gardens at 72 Happy Valley Rd opens to the public tomorrow at 10 am.

Amber Bill, Wellington City Council parks manager, says: “There are several community gardens, and there are fruit trees growing on public land, but [Brooklyn’s] is [so far] the only community orchard of its type in Wellington.”

The orchard was planted late last year, after Transition Towns Brooklyn was granted a licence to lease a small area of land from Wellington City Council.

The ground the orchard stands on was leased to Transition Towns Brooklyn by the council for 10 years for an annual rent of $1, with a 10-year right of renewal.

So far the orchard consists of 13 trees, mainly apple and peach, but also almond and quince. Another 10 pear and plum trees are to be planted this winter.

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