The local habitat in Belmont, despite a recent battering from the storms, is lush and abundant in food. The well established permaculture gardens are a wonderful example of a community program that continues to grow and inspire others. Volunteers attend at least 2 days per week each, planting, weeding and taking home the spoils of their labour. Most of them are new to gardening and are on a real learning curve. For some of them this community volunteer position is a way back

Tucked away in the bush on the Nelson Bay plains is Bob's Farm Berries. They specialise in growing southern highbush and rabbiteye varieties of blueberries, that thrive in the local acid sandy soils, in addition to raspberries, youngberries, boysenberries, strawberries, and garlic. David and his wife bought the small bush plot with good friends of theirs who also built a home there, making the move to acreage affordable. Most of the block has been preserved in it's natural st