Monday, January 31, 2011

Sydney’s business district “Goes Green”

Sydney’s central business district (CBD) has begun producing fresh crops as vegetable patches throughout the CBD have transformed the city in support of the 'Live Green' summer planting program.

Sydney's central business district is being transformed by vegetable patches. In a span of five months, it took fifteen Citywide employees over eight days to install the displays across Sydney, and with more than 30,000 individual plants on display across ten different City locations including Martin Place and Hyde Park, city dwellers are now able to witness the growth and ripening of corn, tomatoes, eggplants, capsicums, sunflowers, lettuce and silver beet firsthand.

According to Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, "Growing some of your own vegetables is a practical, cost effective and sustainable way to help reduce the carbon emissions, water and energy used to deliver food from growers to shoppers."

With the main goal having been set, the exhibits are able to show people how easy it is to ‘live green’ and lessen environmental impact- In Australia, the food supply chain produces 23 per cent of Australia's total greenhouse gas emissions - that includes direct emissions from agriculture and emissions generated from energy, transport, food production, processing and distribution. The displays also contribute to brightening up the already picturesque city in the hopes to inspire others to make a change for the better.

The Live Green exhibits were created on behalf of the City of Sydney by open space provider Citywide, and will be in place for six to ten weeks as the City works with community gardeners to harvest and distribute the fresh produce.
The plants will be donated to community gardens and schools for planting and growing when the display is over.

'Live Green' displays are in the following locations:
* QVB Forecourt and Town Hall Square
* Martin Place
* Cathedral Square
* Green Square
* Hyde Park Barracks
* Hyde Park South
* ITAC, Ultimo
* Customs House Square, AMP Forecourt & Alfred St
* Darlinghurst Road - Greenwall 2