EWB Challenge | 5.3 Community Garden questions

Challenges

This topic has 12 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 3 weeks, 2 days ago by Anthony Brady.

Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)

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14/02/2024 at 4:25 pm #7161
Mathew Yeoh
Participant
In regards to the community garden,
1) What are the dimensions of the plot of land it is situated on (Width x Length)
2) Is the garden restricted only to this plot of land?
3) Is there any significance to the tree that is currently in the middle of the garden (And the other square plots)?
4) What facilities are currently in the buildings in the garden next to the road?
01/03/2024 at 3:09 pm #7374
Jean Aquinde
Keymaster
Hi Matthew,

My apology for the late reply, as we’ve been preoccupied setting up the website.

To answer your questions:

1) In Google Earth, you can use the Measurement Tools to determine the perimeter and the area of the existing garden plot.
2) Yes, as to date, this is the intended space for the garden.
3) To our knowledge, the tree in the middle of the plot doesn’t have a cultural significance. I’m curious, what’s your thought process around this?
4) Based from this presentation, they have constructed a large nursery and an undercover meeting area as Stage 1 of the project.

I hope this helps!

Regards,
Jean
01/03/2024 at 5:25 pm #7382
Mathew Yeoh
Participant
Hi Jean

Thanks for your answers

For #3, I was just thinking about whether students had access to the whole plot of land or had to consider the preservation of certain areas of the garden or perhaps if the trees or anywhere else nearby was a memorial or had any sort of historical/cultural/etc significance which they had to be aware of or preserve.
06/03/2024 at 3:15 pm #7408
Jean Aquinde
Keymaster
You’re welcome Matthew! Glad you’re considering these factors in your design. It also shows that you’re being respectful of what’s important to the community.
03/04/2024 at 10:34 am #7568
Marlo Macaulay
Participant
Hi Jean,

Do the Saibai community want their gardens improved? e.g. quality of soil, cultivation etc.

Regards,

Marlo.
10/04/2024 at 5:29 pm #7588
Jean Aquinde
Keymaster
Hi Mario,

Yes, that’s precisely what the design brief 5.3. Sustainable community garden expansion asks for; the factors you mentioned (quality of soil and cultivation) are just among the many variables you can improve.

Reflecting on this question with your team when brainstorming ways to improve the community garden may be helpful: What opportunities can you see to make the garden sustainable long-term and contribute to local food security?

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Jean
13/04/2024 at 10:34 pm #7621
Jamie Ingram
Participant
In regards to the community garden.

What equipment is already being used for growing fruits and vegetables? For example are garden beds being used?

Is the reticulation from rain tanks or mains water?

What fruits and vegetable are already being grown? And how successful have they been?

Are the habitants of Saibai Island open to alternative gardening methods, or do they prefer traditional methods?

How many people tend to the garden? And how qualified would they be in regards to maintenance and repair of mechanical and electrical equipment?
16/04/2024 at 3:06 pm #7637
Sai Rupa Dev
Keymaster
Hi Jamie,

1. The garden isn’t actively being used at the moment.
2. Reticulation is from the primary lagoon
3. As mentioned, the garden isn’t active at the moment but this presentation outlines the plans that they’ve had on slide 13
4. They are open to alternative gardening methods as long as it is respectful to the Country
5. The garden is untended to at the moment, but there is a huge interest to revive it, from the rangers, students, Islanders and TSIRC.

Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Sai
07/05/2024 at 12:41 pm #7738
Tim Merwood
Participant
Hello,

Regarding the shed structure in the Community Garden:
1. What is it being utilised for at the moment?
2. What size clearance is there on the eastern side of the structure (there appears to be vegetation close to the structure on the eastern side?)
3. The Google Earth image shows 5 circular structures, but these are not in the 360-degree image on the EWB site. Are they still there and if so, what are they?
4. Is there lifting devices and earthmoving equipment on the island? eg. cranes, forklifts, bobcats, front-end loaders etc.
10/05/2024 at 2:31 pm #7765
Jean Aquinde
Keymaster
Hi Tim,

For more context, please scroll through our answers similar to yours in this thread.

To answer your questions in detail,

1. The shed structure seems intact but is not actively being used at the moment.
2. I’m not sure what you mean here, but how do you think that will affect the area of your design?
3. In the Interactives, it looks like there’s only one circular structure left. If you check this presentation, it seems like an extension of the nursery.
4. I would assume yes, and the island has the capacity to bring these equipment if necessary for construction.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Jean
- This reply was modified 11 months, 2 weeks ago by Jean Aquinde.
25/03/2025 at 2:24 pm #8885
Shayne Trevorrow
Participant
Hi, my team and I were interested in improving the gardens on Saibai Island for the EWB challenge. We were wondering what were the reasons for the decline in usage of the Mekem Community Garden and if there were any particular criticisms or requested improvements that the community has requested.
25/03/2025 at 2:36 pm #8886
Shayne Trevorrow
Participant
Sorry, I forgot to ask, how common are personal/family gardening beds currently on the island?
Some more questions:
-How long has the garden be inactive for?
-How common are mangroves around the garden?
-How much are we willing to stray from traditional garden practices as we were thinking about a floating garden.
27/03/2025 at 5:14 pm #8900
Anthony Brady
Keymaster
Hello Shayne and team,

We’re very keen to hear your ideas on rejuvenating the Mekem Community Garden. Based on our discussions with a community representative today;

Reasons for decline in usage/any particular criticisms or requested improvements that the community has requested
The community garden has traditionally been very active. The decline in usage is due to ease of access of food deliveries from the mainland and lack of interest from younger community members to learn the traditional ways and work the ground. The community does want to see the space revived.

How common are personal/family gardening beds currently on the island?
These are uncommon. The Mekem Community Garden embodies traditional ways of communal gathering and connection to land.

How long has the garden be inactive for?
Several years, declining since its introduction in 2016.

How common are mangroves around the garden?
You can refer to these helpful resources
- Google maps – Community Garden
- Saibai Mura Buway (PBC) – Reviving Traditional Gardening on Saibai
How much are we willing to stray from traditional garden practices as we were thinking about a floating garden.
New ideas around modern practices are welcome, but you need to consider traditional practices and the root causes regarding decline. How can you make traditional farming more appealing to younger people?

Cheers,
Anthony
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