Fraser Coast residents and community groups can now borrow seeds from their local library branch following the launch of the ‘Fraser Coast Seed Library - From Plant to Plate’ project today.
Fraser Coast Regional Council Executive Manager Community and Culture Joyce Chorny said library members could take home seeds to help grow their own gardens and then donate seeds back once their plants have grown.
“Plant to Plate seeds are, where possible, organic, open-pollinated, and not genetically modified,” she said.
“Borrowers will be encouraged to help us grow the Seed Library by harvesting seeds from mature plants and donating them back to the library to share with others in the community.
“The project is about encouraging community resilience and engagement at a crucial time with the increasing cost of living pressures on families.”
The ‘From Plant to Plate Seed Library project’ is funded by a $50,000 Public Libraries Strategic Priorities Grant and is proudly funded and supported by the Queensland Government and State Library of Queensland.
Ms Chorny said the Seed Library launch was a key element of the Hervey Bay Library Reopening Party, which also included performances from well-known personalities dirtgirl and scrapboy from ABC TV, and children’s author and musician Deano Yipadee.
“The Hervey Bay Library Reopening Party was a celebration of the library’s transformation and a way to express our gratitude to residents for their patience during the six months we operated out of a temporary pop-up facility while the renovations were underway,” she said.
“Along with a new roof and air conditioning system, our library now offers an improved layout, wayfinding signage, a dedicated Children’s Library, a Toy Library, and a Digital Experience Zone complete with great spaces for study and reading.
“We greatly appreciate the support from the Queensland Government, who provided a $1.5 million Works for Queensland grant for the roof replacement works and more than $664,000 in grants through the State Library of Queensland.”
Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari said, “It’s great to see the library restored to its former glory, thanks to a $1.5 million State Government Grant, bringing back to the people a beloved facility, it’s all part of building a better Hervey Bay.”
Find out more at https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/seedlibrary
