Jess Miller's Page

Permablitz meeting minutes
(2/10/09 at the Courthouse)

Present:JP, Viki, Scott, Jess, Jai & Pryranthi

1) Angel Street Community Garden Newtown

In 6 months the current caretaker of the Angle Street garden will be moving on and would like expression of interest from groups that would like to-over. A few other groups are also keen and there are 6 people who have plots in the garden.

- We registered our interest in getting involved with JP, with the intention to open the garden back-up to the local community and 'remove the lock', especially on weekends etc.
- We would like to use the space to keep the toolshed and get the seedbank as well as run workshops and grow plants that can be used for blitzes
- The point was made that many other commmunity gardens have not been effective and long-running due to politicisation of the space and 'perma-nazis' - we would like to avoid this and instead propose a space that is inclusive, accessible and a resource around which people can organise.

Actions:
- meet with other interested groups and stakeholders (JP to let us know)
- put together some ideas about what we would like to do with the space - ideas very welcome!!!

2) What has worked?
- task lists and the atmosphere of the Alphalfa House blitz, relaxed could talk to people and try things out - people has a sense of what they were doing and of the collective purpose of the day
- the blitzes got better, reflection and de-briefs seemed to work
- lots of people who don't otherwise get involved with 'activism' or community events got to meet people and gain access to new networks and people in their communities
- permaculture for small spaces workshop was really popular - discussion happened
- Blitzes were fun

3) What we can improve on:
- Better facilitating independent groups to organise their own blitzes
- Providing opportunities to contribute through design, organisation, food - whatever they feel they can offer
- Communicating and making information and resources more easily available, and making it easier for communities to connect with each other
- Engagement after blitzes and sharing
- Ongoing community organising
- Introducing a climate justice agenda that is understandable and relevant

Ideas/Action
- Scott to investigate a ning site for Permablitz - so we can communicate with people and make the Permakit, links, designs etc. available
- post notice on community bulletin boards and through other networks
- Get some local media and event annoucemens, especially in some of papers and bulletins at clubs
- post blitz get-together where blitzers, designers etc. get to re-visit the garden, review and eat the yummy food
- Whole street blitzes, front gardens, nature strips and guerilla gardening - Scott to check out what Myrtle Street crew did and how the council supported it
- approach community groups to see if we could help facilitate a blitz, they would need to get 30 people signed-up and go through the motions as per the kit - Permablitz would support and facilitate. Jess to talk to the Factory in Waterloo.
- suss out Indigenous plants and food people, apparently there's a crew in Wollongong