City farmers eye Callan Park

02Jul08

This is how the city farm could look at Callan Park.

CHOOKS, crops and an organic cafe are all part of a bucolic vision to make part of Callan Park a city farm.

A group of people, including one of BASIX'S creators Rod Simpson, have got together to set out plans for a Sydney City Farm and sustainable living centre on part of the 60ha Rozelle site.

This could mean orchards, an organic farm, community gardens, recycling centre, sensory garden, nursery, small animals and an eco-education centre.

The proposal, which asks for three to six hectares, takes Melbourne's Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies as its model. Sydney City Farm's Carla Thackrah said the farm could take a pivotal role in educating people about climate change, water and energy saving, permaculture and horticulture.

As food and petrol prices went up city farms would play an increasingly important role in supplying food to Sydneysiders, she said.

"We've really got to learn to live more sustainably," she said.

She said Callan Park's empty buildings could be used, many of which are slated for demolition in Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority's draft land use plan. The farm could co-exist with Sydney University plans for a new Rozelle campus but only if they were less spread out, Ms Thackrah said.

"There would be an open vista between the university down to our farm. It just seems like the perfect thing that can work with anything. The possibilities are endless."

The farm would be funded initially through membership, grants and philanthropy then become sustainable through nursery services and renting out the land for community events.

Plans for a Sydney City Farm will be discussed at a public meeting in Sydney College of the Arts main lecture theatre, Callan Park, from noon to 1pm on Saturday, July 12.

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