Since 1984 the Society has developed an outstanding Community Gardens with very good facilities which are there to be enjoyed by all Members. The Committee has adopted a set of General Rules over time to ensure that all members continue to enjoy these facilities.
All members are expected to adhere to these rules and those contained in the Constitution and By-Laws. Noncompliance can lead to disciplinary action including (but not limited to) forfeiture of your allocated plot and suspension or cancellation of membership.
Download Rules and By-laws
- Access to the Gardens
a. It is recommended that you carry your gate key with you on all visits to the gardens.
b. Access by car is via Kleinert Rd and Scoresby Rd however Trucks, Buses and vehicles towing a trailer must use Scoresby Rd gates.
c. Do not park vehicles in Kleinert Rd under any circumstances and always travel as slowly and quietly as possible in Kleinert Rd and on the access lane from Scoresby Rd in consideration to our neighbours.
d. OLD
The large main gates at Kleinert Rd will be opened by the first person to arrive at the gardens after 7:30 am. The gates must be closed by 7:30 pm. We have a roster for gate locking each night and in winter the gates may be locked by 5:00 pm. If you arrive after 5:00 pm and the gates are closed please open and enter but you must lock the gates as you leave (after checking that no one else is at the gardens). Please consider our neighbours if arriving early or leaving late.
NEW:
The large main gates at Kleinert Rd & Scoresby Rd entrances will be opened by the first person to arrive at the gardens. The gates may be closed at 5pm. If you arrive after the gates are closed please open and enter, but you must lock the gates behind you and also as you leave (after checking that no one else is at the gardens). Please consider our neighbours if arriving early or leaving late. Ensure that you have your KCGS key with you at all times.
e. Speed signs are in place to inform members of the limits. The speed limit (8 kph) must be observed within the gardens and from Scoresby Road.
f. The hours that we have available to work the plots are now from daylight to dusk.
g. Any pets brought to the gardens must be under control and on a leash at all times. You must clean up after your pet.
- Managing your Plot.
a. Once you have been allocated a plot it is your responsibility to fully cultivate same.
b. The practice of using only a portion of a plot and allowing the remainder to grow thick high seeding weeds is not acceptable. Plants that you grow must be kept within the confines of your plot.
c. Edges of Plot must be kept in good repair and be hazard fee. To reduce the risk to members (including yourself), no sharp edges are permitted. - .
d. Grass on the Outside edges of the plot is to be kept trimmed with a wipper snipper, available in the tool shed, if you require assistance please ask, Note: No Undercuts are allowed as this creates an unsafe condition for mowing .
e. Fixed sprinklers are banned. Water is to be by hand held trigger sprinklers only according to the restrictions as laid down by South East Water. We have some tank water available for members use.
f. OLD but not in the signed version
Please consult with the committee before commencing any plots structures (shade houses etc.). To reduce overshadowing of other people’s plots all new structures can only be 2 thirds of the area of your plot and that a minimum of 1 metre must be left at the south end of such plot. Height of structure must not exceed 2.4 from actual ground level. For ease of mowing and wiper-snipping mesh cladding must be attached inside the plot, no posts or pegs outside the plot. (This rule was introduced in late 2012 and existing structures were allowed to remain). NEW: (Please check the wording)
f.i) From the 12th July 2014 the height of any enclosure on aplot must not exceed 1 metre from actual ground level surrounding the plot. Trellises, racking, frames and similar structures must not exceed 1.8 metre in height.
ii) For the ease of mowing and wiper-snipping, any mesh or cladding must be attached inside the plot, no posts or pegs are allowed outside the plot.
iii) Existing enclosures and structure which are complied with rules in place at the time they were completed will be allowed to remain until the plot is surrendered or forfeited at which time the structure will be removed.
g. If you have any problems complying with any of the above or you need some assistance please contact the plot supervisor, or any other committee member.
3 Facilities
Toilets are available for members use in the north-west corner of the site. Please keep them neat and tidy. If there are any problems or they are out of “supplies” please contact a committee member (see notice board in clubrooms for contact details)
The clubrooms are available for members use. Tea and coffee making facilities are provided.
Your gate key opens the clubroom and the fridge. Please ensure that the fridge and clubrooms are locked when you have finished with them. The BBQ can be used by members by special arrangement. Please talk to any committee member. - Rubbish Removal
a. Hard Rubbish (timber, metal, plastic and non-compostable woody plant material) is to be disposed of through the member’s home rubbish bin or taken to the tip. It is not to be left anywhere at the gardens. The plots trailer is available for a small fee if you have a large quantity of rubbish (for details please refer to Rule 7 Trailer Use).
b. Organic Material is best dug deep into your plot or placed in the marked compost bin. Please dispose of any diseased material or noxious weeds (e.g. Oxalis) in your home rubbish bin. NOTE: the gardens compost bins have been decommissioned. Many Members have installed their own low-cost plastic bins on their own plots to assist with disposal of their own compostable waste.
c. The Lawn Clipping Bins are not to be used for dumping of any other materials. The lawn clippings are supplied by several contractors and are available for use on member’s plots.
e. The Woodchip Mulch Bin (near the factory fence) is not to be used for dumping of any materials. The Woodchips are supplied by Knox Council and are available for use on member’s plots.
f. The dumping of any rubbish in the bush at the south of the plots is illegal and will not be tolerated by the committee or by Knox Council.
5 Power Equipment (Remember, machinery is extremely dangerous if used incorrectly).
a. A lawn mower, whipper snippers, rotary hoe and cultivator are available in the machinery shed for members use. See a committee member if you are unsure of their operation.
b. Always ensure correct oil level before operating the mower, rotary hoe or cultivator.
c. Whipper snippers use a two-stroke petrol mix from the 1 gallon tins in the machinery shed, these are stored in the flamable materials storage cabinet.
d. Our cultivator is simply that. It is NOT a rotary hoe and is not to be used on hard ground. Before using this machine, the plot should be turned over by hand. Using the Broard Fork that is available in the tool shed
e. Do not make any alterations or modifications to the machinery without consulting the committee.
f. Report any breakdowns or other problems to the committee immediately.
g. The ride on mower is only to be used by people that have been instructed in its use and authorised by a committee member and provided with a key to unlock the chain.
h. Powered machinery use must comply with council noise restriction (9:00 am to 6:00 pm).
i. Please ensure that equipment is refilled with the correct petrol after use.
6 Items for Sale.
a. Cold drinks are available for purchase from the fridge in clubrooms.
b. Other items including seeds, manure, hay etc may be available from time to time.
These items are sold on cost recovery basis and available for use in the plots area only. Members wishing to take purchases off the site should seek permission from the President or Secretary.
Please remember: All purchases must be paid for – record in book in clubroom and place money in envelope together with details slip and deposit in the metal box attached to the cupboard. - Trailer Use
a. Before you use the trailer please refer to the trailer conditions of use in the clubrooms.
The 7 x 4 box trailer is available to members for clearing rubbish and weeds from plots or for picking up materials from outside sources, not for helping friends move house or other private use.
b. To book the trailer please contact the Plot Supervisor at least one day in advance and place the $5 fee in the box in the shed. He Plot Supervisor will arrange for the appropriate wiring lead to be fitted.
c. The small square lightweight trailer is for use within the plots and is not to be taken off site. It is not to be used to purchase manure or compost. It is intended only for eucalypt mulch and sawdust.