In December 2020 Nimbin Community Centre successfully negotiated the purchase of 11a Alternative Way, a 2.29ha vacant property bordering Rainbow Power Company, the Headers’ sportsfields, the Alternative Way village subdivision, and the Nimbin Crystal Tourist Park. The land was purchased for $350,000 (plus acquisition costs) and encompasses a significant section of the Rainbow Road Walking Track. Its acquisition will add depth to the walking track experience and facilitate a long-held community vision to create a parkland which will serve as a retreat for visitors and locals.
The vision of this land for a park has a long history. First proposed by long-term local carrier and store-keeper Eric Bazzana in 1986, his idea came to nothing at the time as Council was hostile towards the project. In 1990 Nimbin Central School year 7 students, guided by teacher Barry Glyde, started a koala corridor planting project around Nimbin. Some of this property was planted at that time and accounts for some of the interesting tree species found on site. In 2009 then Nimbin resident Monika Boenigk also had a vision of this land for a park. Ms Boenigk received enthusiastic support from the community who formed a steering group, Friends of Nimbin Village Park. Enthusiasm for the project lapsed after Monika left the region in 2013.
Acquisition of the property was enabled by a partnership between numerous community organisations, members of the community and Rainbow Power Company. In return for a contribution of $165,000 Rainbow Power will acquire around 20% of the property through a boundary adjustment with their current property. The Company will also acquire the dwelling entitlement that accompanies the land.
During 2021 Nimbin Community Centre intends to form a Landcare group under its organisational umbrella. A Landcare group will facilitate the delivery of funding into the future. It will also provide access to a network of people with skills in weed management and land regeneration. Importantly it will facilitate active engagement of the wider community in developing and caring for a park that provides opportunities for bird-watching, picnicking, education and socialising.
You can donate to this project here.
We acknowledge the Widjabul people of the Bundjalung Nation as the traditional custodians of this land on which we live and work.
