How you can green up your garden for free this New Year
05 January 2022
Ipswich City Council’s Free Plant Program is back for the New Year at Queens Park Nursery every Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, helping residents green up their gardens and homes for free.
As part of the program, residents are entitled to between six and 30 free plants every financial year depending on property size and location, with the aim to make Ipswich a more beautiful place to live.
Owner occupiers of newly built homes (under 12 months old) are entitled to a one-off allocation of 25 plants in addition to their six free plants a year.
Environment and Sustainability Committee chairperson Councillor Russell Milligan said he would like to encourage residents to pick up their free plants during the warmer months of the year.
“The Free Plant Program is one of council’s most popular programs,” Cr Milligan said.
“It has significantly enhanced our local environment with 120,000 plants given away each year.
“The plant species are chosen to suit local climate and soil conditions. Plants are all grown locally in council’s production nursery.
“Picking up your free plants during the warmer months is always a good idea as the summer months is when we see the most plant growth.
“Summer is the perfect time to grab your free plants because the nursery has a wider selection of plants on offer. I encourage residents to take a look.”
The free plants range from groundcovers, perennials, shrubs, and small and larger trees, with predominantly native plants and a few exotics on offer during the summer months.
When collecting your plants, you must present one of the following:
- Current rates notice
- Copy of landlord’s rates notice (private renters)
- Department of Public Works and Housing rental statement
- Defence Housing authorised brochure
- Driver’s licence or Senior’s Card with current residential address.
Owner occupiers of newly built homes will also have to present:
- Form 21 – Certificate of Occupancy.
Queens Park Nursery Opening Hours:
- Wednesday from 7.30am to noon, and 12.30pm to 3pm
- Thursday from 7.30am to noon, and 12.30pm to 3pm
- Saturday 8am to noon.
For more information about the Free Plant Program click here.