In West End, the Kurilpa Commons garden has become a center of dynamic organizing and community building. Guerilla gardeners are bravely flouting official government health warnings to plant this space. For more than nine decades, this garden remained vacant. Thanks to Growing Forward, an area community group, it has transformed into a thriving community hub! The Queensland government has been on alert for the possibility of soil contamination. Despite the contentious occupation, the gardeners continue to grow food on the land leased to the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).
The Kurilpa Commons garden makes use of land that was otherwise vacant. It’s received a lot of press lately for its spectacular metamorphosis into an illegal, underground community garden. Since its launch six years ago, it’s established deep ties to the community. Most importantly, it gives residents a local, warm, inviting space to convene and mobilize. In February, the TMR cordoned off the community garden and erected signs threatening trespassers with prosecution.
Ongoing Tensions
It was when TMR attempted to fence the land off and do soil tests that things took a turn. Instead, they encountered fierce backlash to their campaign. Last week, local activists from Growing Forward protested on-site, claiming their legal right to keep cultivating the garden.
“Recent efforts by TMR to fully secure the land and undertake necessary soil and vegetation testing were interrupted by an on-site protest from local community garden group, Growing Forward, who are occupying the land without approval.” – TMR spokesperson
Even in the face of these alarming potential health risks from eating food grown in the garden, community members persist on their mission. Camilla Hall, another member of Growing Forward, opened our eyes to the value of the garden that went beyond growing food.
“It’s not just about the plants, it’s not just the food, but it’s a point where we can come together and organise as a community,” – Camilla Hall
Concerns Over Soil Contamination
Recently the Queensland government had serious concerns about potential contamination of the soil at Kurilpa Commons. A department spokesperson warned that gardeners may be putting their health at risk by consuming produce grown in this area. The importance of soil quality soon became a contentious issue between the community members.
She made sure to stress their need for transparency in the public/private partnership in relation to the area’s immediate developments.
“We don’t know if the soil is contaminated — it’s interesting it comes up with the development next door and it wasn’t a concern when the garden started six years ago,” – Camilla Hall
Even after the challenges they both still face, Kurilpa Commons has developed into a critical community meeting space for West End locals. This community’s determination to keep this garden alive showcases their dedication to long-term sustainability and local involvement. Gardening has become much more than just growing things. Yet it is now a strong symbol of resistance to increased government control over public spaces.
“We’re very interested to know what the relationship between the state government is with the development next door,” – Camilla Hall
Community Impact
Hall stressed that the group’s plan was to keep using the space like they have been.
Hall reiterated the group’s intention to continue utilizing the space as they have been doing.
“What we want is to be able to continue using this space as we have been using this space,” – Camilla Hall
