Lend a hand to help a community garden or environmental project win $5000

Are you involved in a local kindergarten, school or community garden and have a garden or environmental project you’d like to get off the ground? Then why not consider joining the Back to Earth Initiative for a chance to win $5000 for the local project.

The Back to Earth initiative, developed by the Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group and supported by Council, is giving local schools, early learning centres and community groups the chance to win a $5000 grand prize and a runner-up prize of $1000 to bring their garden or green space project to life.

Garden competition nominations open Monday 2 March and must be received by the closing date of Friday 27 March 2020.

During the nomination period, all projects will be showcased on the Back to Earth Initiative website. The community will then have the chance to vote for their favourite garden or environmental project. Voting runs from 16 April 2020 until 11 May 2020.

Community members who vote will also be asked to make a pledge to take action to support the initiative. Pledges include remembering to never put plastic bags in the garden organics bin or making sure their family uses their garden organics bin correctly.

Mayor Cr Mike Symon, Council’s representative on the Metropolitan Local Government Waste Forum, said the initiative aimed to encourage the recycling of green waste and reduce the amount of waste that is needlessly sent to landfill.

“Perhaps your school could benefit from a composting system or worm farm, your local kinder needs a veggie patch, or you’re keen to kick-off a community garden.

“This could be the perfect way to get these projects off the ground! I encourage residents to nominate a local school or community project you think shows great community and environmental potential and that would benefit from funding to bring these projects to life,” he said.

“By voting for and sharing your favourite projects, you can also help spread the message about the importance of correct bin use to create quality compost for farms, parks and gardens. You can vote on multiple projects – so make your voice heard and your vote count,” Cr Symon added.

For more information and to nominate, or to vote and support your favourite project, visit the