Community voice wins out for Regent st garden
April 22nd, 2010Stories about developers trampling over the desires of local communities are all too common these days. I know I publish a lot more about problems here than I’d have to in an ideal world but once in a while a good news story comes along and I want to take this opportunity to share with you the experiences of a group of Chippendale residents in protecting a fabulous community asset they have worked very hard to create.
The asset I’m talking about is the garden on the corner of Regent and Cleveland streets, a site that 80 000 motorists pass every day and that a very good number of them admire. The garden is an oasis of nature in a concrete city, a haven for birds and crickets and a much needed screen between local residents and traffic.
The garden exists because of almost two decades of hard work by a small but dedicated group of local residents, led by artist Wallace Randolph (pictured here in the garden). It
all began in 1992 when Randolph’s artistic eye saw the straggly, unhealthy trees the RTA had planted on a verge and imagined something better could go there. For 10 years he and his group planted, watered and cleaned up the garden bed entirely unsupported by Council. They saved plants due to be removed from nearby building sites and moved them to their garden when they could, but other than these recycling windfalls they paid all the costs of setting up and maintaining the garden for the first decade by themselves.
Official help for the garden first came in 2002 when the then South Sydney Council built a protective fence around the garden to prevent trampling and theft of plants. This was followed later by the installation of a tap, which meant that finally the residents didn’t have to pay out of their own pockets to water this feature enjoyed by so many. City of Sydney contractors now look after about one third of the garden with the residents being primarily responsible for the rest but also having some input into the council managed section.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the garden just recently when it looked like the unstoppable march of “progress” might end the garden’s story short of its 18th birthday. Council had approved an extensive redevelopment of a property on Regent St, despite many objections from local residents, right behind the garden and the only place the developer could find to use as a works zone was the garden itself.
The residents who look after the garden expressed serious concern to me that they were not properly informed by Council and were completely shocked when they found out that 75% of their garden was to be destroyed with only vague promises that it would be “re-landscaped” once construction was over.
It was at this point that Randolph asked well known unionist and environmental activist Jack Mundey for advice on how best to deal with Council. Armed with the support of such a legendary figure the residents mobilised and also contacted me.
I advised the local residents to attend and address the traffic committee that was due to deliberate on the construction zone and I went along to ensure that a better plan was developed so that damage to the garden would be minimised. Following the traffic committee I met on site with residents along with my Greens colleague Cr Irene Doutney and staff marked out exactly where the construction zone would be and how much garden would have to be demolished.
The works zone will still be built on part of the garden, but will now affect only around 15% of the southern end of the site. The protective fence will be reinstated to make sure that the rest of the garden is not damaged during the works. Once the construction zone is no longer required all plants removed will be replanted or replaced with plants of a similar size. All the costs will be paid by the developer who will also be required to pay a $20 000 bond in case the City has to do the work.
This is a very positive outcome for Regent St. and I would like to congratulate all the residents on their many years of hard work in creating such a beautiful and much appreciated landmark. They also engeged constructively to reach an agreement that allows development to take place while not compromising the garden of which they are rightly proud.
Johnstons Canal with more habitat destruction. The proposal is a bike path that links the shared pathway emerging from Orphan School Creek as it crosses Wigram Rd at Forest Lodge.
up like a carnival, it will attract a lot more cyclists and totally destroy this idyllic little haven. The impact on the residents will be considerable.
decided instead on habitat destruction, increased conflict with cyclists and the loss of the peaceful glade enjoyed by the 22 homes along Minogue Cres. This choice is totally unnecessary.

