Bush Regeneration and Community Garden

At Coomaditchie, our garden is more than a space for plants — it’s a place for connection, learning, and healing. The Community Garden and Bush Regeneration program brings together culture, community, and Country to grow something meaningful for today and the future. 

We’re working to expand the garden into a thriving bush food garden, community nursery, and local food hub. Here, community members — especially our young people — are learning how to plant, grow, and care for fresh produce, bush foods, native medicines, and local native species for revegetation. Alongside seasonal veggies and herbs, our chickens provide fresh eggs — all helping us supply healthy, affordable food to local families and businesses. 

What We’re Growing 

Fresh Produce & Eggs: Supplying the community and local restaurants with seasonal produce, herbs, and eggs from our own chickens. 

Bush Food Garden & Nursery: Cultivating native plants (including local species) used for food, medicine, and cultural education. These can be shared with chefs, restaurants, and the wider community. 

Revegetation Plants: Growing local native species to restore the lagoon area and surrounding landscapes. These plants can also support wider revegetation projects across the Illawarra. 

Workshops & Community Events: From community open days to bushfood workshops, the garden is a space where people can learn, connect, and celebrate. 

Local Partnerships: We collaborate with other community gardens and farms to share knowledge, plants, and seedlings, strengthening the local food bowl and supporting the growth of native plants. These partnerships also create opportunities for youth and volunteers to take part in shared initiatives and worker programs, building skills while giving back to community and Country. 

Why It Matters 

For Community: The garden makes healthy, fresh food accessible and reconnects people with land and culture. 

For Youth: Young people gain hands-on experience in gardening, bush foods, revegetation, nutrition, and tourism. 

For Country: Native revegetation strengthens ecosystems, supports biodiversity, and restores the lagoon and surrounding landscapes. 

For Culture: Every plant and every meal carries cultural knowledge and strengthens identity. 

For the Future: The garden has the potential to grow into a sustainable social enterprise — supplying fresh produce, bush foods, and revegetation plants while creating training and employment.  

The Bigger Vision 

Looking ahead, Coomaditchie is exploring: 

Cultural tourism experiences that include guided bush food walks and storytelling. 

Native plant nursery supplying schools, councils, and environmental groups for revegetation projects.  

How You Can Support We’re building this together. You can support by: 

• Volunteering or joining our planting days. 
• Partnering with us on bush food, revegetation, nutrition, or tourism projects. 
• Purchasing plants, produce, eggs, and bush food products grown right here at Coomaditchie. 

Together, we’re regenerating Country, creating healthy futures, and growing opportunities from the ground up.