Downs Estate Community Project flourishing with support from Council
Published on 18 November 2021
A community hub project based at the Downs Estate at Seaford is thriving thanks to significant support from Frankston City Council.
Mayor Kris Bolam, Downs Estate Community Project (DECP) President Robyn Erwin, Project members and guests gathered at the Estate to celebrate the completion of a range of works thanks to $352,932 funding from Council.
Newly completed works include construction of composting toilet, veranda, path network, car parking, rainwater harvesting, solar panels and guttering, as well as the preparation of a concept plan for the homestead.
Mayor Bolam praised the tireless efforts of DECP volunteers, adding: “Council has worked closely with the DECP to protect and enhance the much loved Downs Estate – known to locals as the Downs Community Farm or simply ‘Downs’.
“Overall, Council has provided $666,000 to assist with the establishment of the site and the DECP. It’s a great example of the community and Council working together to achieve fantastic outcomes with ‘Downs’ going from strength to strength,” the Mayor said.
Ms Erwin said the hardworking and dedicated volunteers are rapt to see the ongoing progress at ‘Downs’, adding the latest improvements will enable the DECP to run more garden-based and horticulture programs.
“We are creating a free, welcoming, natural and sustainable place for people to connect with each other, the natural environment and our food. We grow food in ways that are kind to the earth and our health, host a range of community activities, workshops and events and share our knowledge.
“This unique space with nourishing gardens and orchards, wide-open grasslands fringed by native vegetation reaching into wetlands and huge sky with soaring birdlife does not fail to lift spirits,” Ms Erwin said.
Ms Erwin added that the DECP aims to foster community connection to and care for the environment and each other by establishing a community gathering and learning place at ‘Downs’.
Activities include building community resilience and wellbeing, connection to local history and culture, demonstrating and teaching sustainable food production to increase local food security and actively enhancing the natural environment.
Downs borders the scenic wetlands on Old Wells Rd, Seaford. It is situated on traditional lands of the Bunurong and Boon Wurrung people.
The Downs Estate is the former farm of renowned whip and saddle-maker Harry Down. The site is owned by Council and licensed to the DECP to use for community activities.
For more information about the DECP, please visit https://www.downscommunityfarm.org/ or the group’s Facebook Page here.