‘Thyme’ extended for Leschenault Community Nursery

Southern Ports has shown its support for the Leschenault Community Nursery with a new 15-year peppercorn lease enabling the predominantly volunteer-run organisation to continue its flourishing trade.

Spanning approximately 7,000m², the Nursery – which produces more than 150,000 local native plants each year primarily for revegetation in the South West – is a not-for-profit organisation located on land owned and managed by Southern Ports.

Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks endorsed the agreement as a valued service for the local community.

“We’re eager to support regional businesses and community initiatives where we can and in this case, we were also particularly pleased at the Nursery’s dedication to protecting local biodiversity. It was an opportunity we simply couldn’t let pass,” said Mr Wilks.

“The land the Nursery currently operates from is earmarked for long-term growth of the Port of Bunbury, but not for some time.”

Leschenault Community Nursery Chair Beth Ferguson said the not-for-profit was thrilled to extend its life in its current location on Johnston Road.

“The local community, businesses, schools and local government authorities have come to know and love the Leschenault Community Nursery in its current format here,” said Ms Ferguson.

“We’re grateful to Southern Ports for investing in our future through this peppercorn lease which is a win for us and the local community.”

The Leschenault Community Nursery previously operated on the Port of Bunbury site under a third-party lease under the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation which expired this year.

Southern Ports provides leases and licences to more than 20 organisations across its 482 hectares at its Port of Bunbury to boost local investment and economic prosperity in the burgeoning South West region.

Specialising in native Western Australian plants, the Leschenault Community Nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 3pm and on Saturdays between 9am and 3pm.

For more information on the Leschenault Community Nursery, visit leschenaultcommunitynursery.com.au