Help save the community's laneway garden. We demand that Yarra City Council reverse its decision for the urban garden to be removed. We demand that it protect the future of this public urban garden; not abolish it.

The issue

Over the past fifteen years, Macpherson Street’s little-used laneway has blossomed into a beautiful urban garden. It is a community garden that features planter boxes with fresh produce and colourful flowers, a space that brings together locals and enthusiastic gardeners. In an area with little access to garden space, the laneway offers a unique space for community interaction, innovation and urban renewal. 

But now the community's laneway garden is under serious threat. The local council has demanded that the pots and planter boxes be fully removed by March 6. This is despite the fact that the council has won accolades for its stated policies on urban agriculture and community gardens. This decision is utterly hypocritical, unreasonable and totally unacceptable.

Help save the community's laneway garden. Demand that Yarra City Council reverse its decision for the garden to be removed. Demand that it protect the future of this public urban garden; not abolish it!

Come visit and enjoy the garden: the laneway behind 128-146 Macpherson Street, North Carlton, Melbourne. 

avatar of the starter
Gonzalo VillanuevaPetition starter
Media enquiries
This petition had 1,381 supporters

The issue

Over the past fifteen years, Macpherson Street’s little-used laneway has blossomed into a beautiful urban garden. It is a community garden that features planter boxes with fresh produce and colourful flowers, a space that brings together locals and enthusiastic gardeners. In an area with little access to garden space, the laneway offers a unique space for community interaction, innovation and urban renewal. 

But now the community's laneway garden is under serious threat. The local council has demanded that the pots and planter boxes be fully removed by March 6. This is despite the fact that the council has won accolades for its stated policies on urban agriculture and community gardens. This decision is utterly hypocritical, unreasonable and totally unacceptable.

Help save the community's laneway garden. Demand that Yarra City Council reverse its decision for the garden to be removed. Demand that it protect the future of this public urban garden; not abolish it!

Come visit and enjoy the garden: the laneway behind 128-146 Macpherson Street, North Carlton, Melbourne. 

avatar of the starter
Gonzalo VillanuevaPetition starter
Media enquiries

The Decision Makers

Cr Misha Coleman
Cr Misha Coleman
Yarra City Council
Responded
“It is a truly beautiful space - I'd love to have something like that in MY back lane! But a resident came to last week's Council Meeting and said the garden precluded access to his property from the back lane, which he needed for a bobcat and his bikes?”
Cr Sam Gaylard
Cr Sam Gaylard
Yarra City Council
Responded
“It’s truly heartening to read all the messages supporting this beautiful laneway garden. This typical bluestone Yarra laneway – previously characterized by dumped rubbish and weeds that needed regular spraying with Roundup – has been transformed into a stunning public space used daily by eight families in adjoining properties and visited by other local residents. This garden is significant because it is the best example of the enormous potential for laneway gardens I have seen in our city. It ticks all the boxes of Council’s recently endorsed Urban Agriculture Strategy 2014 -2018; it’s a brilliant community initiative to counter the negative impacts of increasing urban density and it’s a wonderful way for neighbors to meet and work together to grow and share food. There has been an objector to the garden who has raised valid issues for laneway access to his property; for either daily use or for a forthcoming renovation. I believe that Council should encourage gardens in laneways and at the same time ensure access to all adjoining properties; laneway gardens and access to property can coexist amicably. At the February Council Meeting I proposed guidelines be developed for Council Officers to assess laneways that encourage gardens and ensure access. Permits will be issued based on the criteria outlined in the guidelines. Officers were asked to develop the guidelines for consideration by Council this month. Unfortunately, a notice was issued to the MacPherson St residents to remove the laneway garden by March 6th. Despite there being an absence of a permit, I believe this garden should remain until Council’s guidelines are available and implemented; and it then be assessed to guarantee its future with fair access for all. I understand that the MacPherson St gardeners are applying for an extension of the removal notice and an interim permit pending the implementation of the guidelines. I also understand they will guarantee full access to any property in the event of renovations. This is only a small garden, however I believe your overwhelming support for its continuance makes it emblematic of our community’s desire for a livable city and a sustainable future. Greens Councillor Sam Gaylard Nicholls Ward, City of Yarra ”
Cr Roberto Colanzi
Cr Roberto Colanzi
Yarra City Council
Yarra City Council
Yarra City Council
Cr Jackie Fristacky
Cr Jackie Fristacky
Yarra City Council

Petition Updates

Share this petition

Petition created on 21 February 2015