New sensory garden promises to delight senses

With the smell of lavender, the sound of rustling leaves, the sight of brightly coloured planter bowls, the feeling of calmness and the taste of rosemary, the sensory garden will provide a meeting place and focus for community activities.

The project is part of Ipswich City Councils Beautiful Ipswich program and was completed in combination with Challenge Employment and Training who provided the steel fabrication, concreting, timber work and planting.

Challenge Employment and Training CEO Richard Lindner (pictured below right) said the organisation was delighted to work with council on the sensory garden.

“Our trainees learned important skills and are proud of the contribution they made to the people of Ipswich. We are particularly grateful for the funding support given to us to deliver this important project through the State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work Program,” Mr Lindner said.

“The students have been involved in all aspects of the significant steel fabrication works under the guidance of the experienced instructors, and everyone has been eagerly awaiting the opening to see the fruits of their labour.”

Works, Parks and Recreation Chief Operating Officer Bryce Hines said most people would recognise the unique planter bowls that have been repurposed for the sensory garden. 

“The planter bowls have been repurposed from the mall redevelopment. The old planter bowls that used to line the walkway in the Ipswich City Mall have been given a new life and a new coat of paint,” Mr Hines said. 

“The overall circular shape of the garden came from the circular design of the planter bowls. The planters are not usually found in public gardens and they also double as seats. 

“The garden has been designed and built to provide a learning and gathering space for residents to share, to experience, to grow and to tend plants in a unique place.   

“Everyone is invited to come in and experience the garden in a spirit of community cooperation”.