Surfing The Channel

Archive for the ‘Society’ Category

South Melbourne Commons is the Friends of the Earth (FoE) newest major project, inspired by the CERES Environmental Park and Abbotsford Convent. The Commons will be a unique urban development comprising of public space, retail orientated social enterprise including Melbourne hotel participation with expansion of community resources and capacity of local facilities. They are located on the site of the old Galilee School situated on the corner of Montague and Bank Street.

Commercially based social enterprises such as the community cafe and the organic food co-op have been established to deliver both revenues to build a sustainable income base for FoEs campaigning operations and for demonstrating that businesses, particularly supermarkets and hotels, don’t have to operate at the expense of the community or environment.

Each tenancy will have contractual obligations to operate with the lowest possible footprint by committing themselves to using organic produce, minimize food miles, eliminate toxic chemical and waste, and operate on 100% renewable energy. Equally, each enterprise has committed itself to supporting work with the disadvantaged by preparing meals for the homeless, providing produce packages for low income families and provides shelter.

All of the major tenancies have been secured and are gearing up for a 2011 spring opening. Community markets and the 2nd stages of the permaculture gardens will be commenced as well, and will develop in the rear of the site to refurbish the 2nd half of the school with a community housing complex consisting of 40 to 50 apartments for the area’s most disadvantaged people.