In the heart of Hobart’s Midtown precinct is a leafy laneway lined with foliage and furniture that students, staff and the community can discover.
Established by the University of Tasmania in February 2017, Fernery Lane is part of the Hobart Apartments student accommodation development and is easily accessed from Melville Street.
Once just a thoroughfare through to Brisbane Street, the green corridor, which features ferns, flax lilies and groundcovers, has recently been enhanced into a more inviting outdoor space that anyone is welcome to spend time in.
Chief Sustainability Officer Corey Peterson said the latest additions form part of state-wide activity being led by the University to create safe and pleasant spaces that contribute to community wellbeing.
“Located alongside a significant heritage wall, Fernery Lane is a sheltered location which predominantly features native plants that add greenery and interest to this urban area while increasing biodiversity in the CBD,” Corey said.
“People can retreat here from the street traffic and now make use of bench seats and a picnic table added by the University to encourage further enjoyment of the laneway rather than just using it as a place to pass through.
“In line with the University’s circular economy efforts, the new furniture is made from 85% post-consumer plastics and can be fully recycled at its end of life.”
The laneway leads to a community garden which has been positioned in the plaza of Hobart Apartments. It is cared for and harvested by residents of the apartments, helping to address student food insecurity while fostering a greater understanding of food growing benefits.
It comprises raised wicking beds and gardens for produce including herbs, vegetables and a citrus hedge.
“We grow whatever is seasonal,” University Sustainability Gardener (South) Alex McArthur said.
“We also manage five worm farms which enable on-site processing of food scraps while generating soil amendments through worm castings and worm tea.”
Students, staff and community members with an interest in gardening or discovering what food growing involves are welcome to join weekly sessions being held at the site.
“These run every Friday from 1pm and anyone is welcome to join. We meet at the Hobart Apartments plaza garden accessed from Fernery Lane or Brisbane Street.”
The next stage of Fernery Lane's transformation will involve adding evergreen native climbing plants to cover the neighbouring car park’s wire security mesh.
