Community gardens in Maitland are guided by the Community Gardens Policy, which sets out how these shared spaces are created, managed and maintained.
It supports community gardens as places where people can come together, learn new skills, connect with nature and care for their neighbourhood. They are a great way to practise and promote sustainable living, providing residents access to fresh, locally grown food.
Applying for a community garden
Maitland City Council encourages the establishment of community gardens throughout the region and welcomes new proposals. If you're interested in funding and establishing a new community garden on Council land, we're here to help you get started.
Get a group together
Community gardens rely on community support. You’ll need at least five (5) committed members to apply. Your group must be an incorporated association or be supported by one.
Review guidelines & choose a site
Read the Community Gardens Guidelines and Policy to understand the process and requirements of establishing a garden. To fast-track your application, you can choose from a list of pre-identified sites, or you may propose another site (subject to assessment).
All sites, including pre-identified, may have specific constraints that must be considered in your garden design. For more information please contact Council’s Community Planning team.
Please note: Council does not manage gardens on private land.
Prepare your application
Once you have a group and a site, you can start your application. You'll need a management plan, garden concept design and risk assessment. Use the Community Gardens Guidelines and Risk Assessment Template to help you prepare.
Before submitting, email the Community Planning team to book a consultation for application guidance.
Lodge your application
After your consultation, lodge your application via email or in person. We’ll review it and request any additional information (if needed). Once approved, you’ll enter a Licence Agreement with Council and then you can start digging!