Urban orchard in the Perth Cultural Centre ready for its first harvest

Fresh organic produce grown in the Perth Cultural Centre’s new urban orchard will be ready to pick at the first harvesting day on Sunday 3 October, followed by a free public gardening presentation by expert gardener and media personality Josh Byrne.

The urban orchard is planted with around 2,000 seasonal fruit, companion plants, vegetables and herbs like bok choy and parsley, and the harvest from the day will be distributed to volunteers with surplus donated to charitable organisation Foodbank.

EPRA Acting CEO Ryan Keys said harvesting days in the urban orchard and free public lunch time presentations called the Harvest Talks Series, are a community initiative aimed at teaching people about sustainable and water-wise gardening ahead of another dry summer.

“The urban orchard is proving to be a huge attraction for families, Central Institute of Technology students and city workers wanting to enjoy their lunch in the garden and use the free wifi,” said Mr Keys.

“It's also pleasing to see that people are embracing the urban orchard as a resource for all and respecting the plants and new space,” Mr Keys said.

The first in the Harvest Talks Series will take place at 12.30pm on Sunday 3 October and is called City food-scapes: growing food in our urban spaces. Everyone is welcome to bring along a picnic lunch and get involved. 

Highgate Primary School students have created a mural for the urban orchard inspired by plants and the Swan River which will also be unveiled on Sunday at a special ceremony for the budding young artists.

Mr Keys said EPRA is working with City Farm and urban orchard designers, Josh Byrne & Associates, to coordinate the community gardening activities in an ongoing program to maintain the urban orchard and encourage community involvement.

“The urban orchard is part of the revitalisation of the Perth Cultural Centre led by the State Government through EPRA, and it’s very exciting to see it reach this first important milestone,” Ryan Keys said.

The State Government’s $11 million revitalisation of the Perth Cultural Centre and William Street includes restored heritage building works, lighting, landscaping and security enhancements, retail pods, the new urban orchard and wetland and other aesthetic improvements.