Community leadership and spirit creating lasting positive change

Once considered an area of entrenched disadvantage with high levels of anti-social behaviour, Barcoo Court in Toormina,regional NSW, has undergone a grassroots-driven renewal through a vibrant tenant-led initiative.  By transforming a block of vacant land in the middle of a public housing estate into a thriving garden, the Barcoo Community Garden provides food, social connection and learning for the residents. 

Initiated and led by tenants from the Coffs Connections Tenant Action Group, the Barcoo Community Garden has fostered a strong sense of community ownership, environmental sustainability and social cohesion. It has tenant-led governance through the Barcoo Community Garden Committee that ensures sustainable leadership and ongoing maintenance. 

With strong engagement from local tenants, Mission Australia Housing and sector partners such as Specialist Homelessness Services, NSW Police, NSW Health and more, the garden provides fresh food and green spaces as well as acting as a central hub for education, employment pathways and social connection. The weekly working bees (with lunch) that are provided by the tenants, foster responsibility and pride in place. They also offer weekly permaculture sessions to educate and engage tenants in sustainable gardening practices. 

Some of the significant social improvements include increased social participation, mental health and wellbeing gains, reduction in anti-social behaviour and increased sense of community safety. The garden has also led to an increase in education and employment pathways with workshops to build skills and short courses at TAFE provided to residents.

Speaking on behalf of the members of the Barcoo Community Garden, Christine Smith said

"The Volunteers of the Barcoo Community Garden would like to thank AHI for the Tenant-Led Initiative Australasian Winners award of 2025. We are all thrilled about our award and are very proud of our achievements and endeavour to encourage others to start their own gardens. We are environmentally friendly and welcome diverse people of all races and ages to our garden. We love to grow and teach others to grow fresh vegetables and fruit trees. We often eat together with our own grown vegetables and fruit. Often we are able to put out plants and fresh produce for our neighbourhood to have for free." 

This initiative has attracted unprecedented levels of stakeholder support and community partnerships, bringing together government agencies, community services and educational institutions. And most importantly, its success has sparked the creation of many other similar gardens across the region. Proving that community leadership and spirit can create lasting positive change.