Torquay’s Quay Reserve Community Fruit Orchard is ready to flourish further following an upgrade which included installation of an automated irrigation system.
The new system will help drought-proof the orchard and relieve volunteers of hand-watering the 22 trees and other plants.
Quay Residents Association members established the orchard in 2017, with support from Surf Coast Shire Council, and across the past few years it has provided a variety of fruit for community members to enjoy.
The upgrade also included a working bee to plant a variety of indigenous species in a new mounded garden bed which will help provide wind protection for the fruit trees, and the installation of labels for the trees made by members of the Torquay Men’s Shed.
The $8500 irrigation upgrade was made possible by the following contributions:
- $5000 from a Council Community Initiatives grant
- $2500 from Barwon Water, and
- $1000 in-kind contributions from community members
Orchard volunteer Graeme Biggins welcomed the contributions.
“With a variety of apples, pears, stone and citrus fruits, the orchard has become a wonderful community asset where people can enjoy the setting, and with this generous support and these upgrades we look forward to having it provide bountiful fruit for years to come,” Mr Biggins said.
“We recently hosted a Melbourne University PhD student conducting a research project on urban food forestry and she was impressed with what she saw.”
Cr Kate Gazzard commended Quay Residents Association and orchard volunteers.
“We love to see community groups showing initiative developing projects they are passionate about. This group has valuably improved and activated this public space and enhanced community connections along the way,” Cr Gazzard said.
Barwon Water General Manager Customers, Community and Strategy Laura Kendall said Barwon Water was pleased to support the water efficient irrigation system and help contribute to a sustainable and liveable community.
“The new irrigation system will reduce water consumption and evaporation and with consistent, regulated flows enhance growth of the orchard and productivity for the community,” Ms Kendall said.
