Household Participation Guide
The National Community Landscape Framework recognises that stronger communities begin at home. While public landscapes provide shared community benefits, households have an equally important role in strengthening environmental resilience, local food awareness and neighbourhood wellbeing. Every household, regardless of property size, has the potential to contribute.
Purpose
This Guide encourages voluntary household participation in ways that complement Community Landscape projects while remaining appropriate to individual circumstances, available space and local environmental conditions. Participation is not measured by the size of the contribution, but by the willingness of households to help strengthen their community.
Ways Households Can Participate
Productive Gardens
Where appropriate, households may establish vegetable gardens, herb gardens, native edible gardens or small productive landscapes suitable for local conditions.
Productive Trees
Where space permits, households may consider planting suitable fruit, nut or native food trees that contribute to long-term environmental and community value.
Community Organic Resources
Suitable organic resources, seeds, cuttings or seedlings may be retained for household use or voluntarily contributed to approved Community Resource Recovery programs.
Biodiversity
Households can support pollinators, native wildlife and healthier neighbourhood ecosystems through appropriate planting and environmentally responsible gardening practices.
Water Stewardship
Where practical, rainwater harvesting, water-efficient gardening and responsible irrigation practices may strengthen long-term landscape resilience.
Community Participation
Residents may contribute through volunteering, sharing gardening knowledge, participating in local projects or supporting community education activities.
Household Recognition
Participating councils may choose to recognise household contributions through voluntary community recognition programs, educational initiatives, tree distribution programs or other locally appropriate incentive schemes. Recognition should encourage participation rather than competition.
Every Property Matters
Not every household has sufficient space for orchards or vegetable gardens. Some may only be able to support herbs, pollinator plants, composting or a single productive tree. Others may simply contribute through community volunteering or education. Every contribution has value. Collectively, thousands of small household actions can significantly strengthen healthier, greener and more resilient communities.