Civic's public servants volunteer to improve garden beds

City Walk Urban Volunteers has just launched in Canberra. The volunteer-led initiative will help maintain the garden beds along City Walk, between Allara Street and Akuna Street.

With the support of Transport Canberra and City Services, staff from the nearby Australian government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science are volunteering their time during lunch.

So far, 10 staff members have signed up.

"Those numbers are growing as interest among the staff increases. All volunteers in this group are staff members of Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, which is adjacent to the City Walk gardens," said Rachel Tokley, who manages Urban Volunteers across Canberra.

There are 30 volunteer groups currently working to make improvements to public spaces in the ACT.

The volunteer-led gardening at City Walk began in July this year, but it was the beginning of the year when a staff member from the department saw the need for the project.

"When this staff member came to me the garden was due for a seasonal clean-up. The volunteers now work with our horticultural team to prune strappy plants and grasses and remove the woody weeds, and wack on a bit of mulch."

"The goals of the group are to foster increased health and fitness through these participation activities, which are done during their lunchtimes."

No word yet on whether morning teas or smokos will turn into gardening time, but lunch is a rosy start.

"It's about getting people involved, improving the environment but also having healthy activities."

To join the City Walk Urban Volunteers group contact urbanprograms@act.gov.au.