Kurilpa Commons Archives - West End Today

Tensions Rise at Kurilpa Commons as Housing Plans Spark Community Protest

Kurilpa Commons has become the centre of a tense standoff after police arrested several people while authorities moved to secure the long-running community garden ahead of plans to prepare the site for future housing.

Read: Kurilpa Commons Protest: Community Resists Closure of Beloved Garden

The inner-south green space, located on the corner of Boundary and Dudley streets near the West End and Highgate Hill border, has been cared for by volunteers since the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the years, it has grown into more than a community garden, hosting shared meals, workshops, movie nights and other neighbourhood activities.

The dispute intensified early on 29 June when representatives from Economic Development Queensland (EDQ), accompanied by contractors, arrived to install fencing around the state-owned land. Protesters gathered shortly afterwards, with police later called to the scene as some demonstrators entered the site and climbed trees in an effort to stop the works.

Queensland Police said six people were arrested on 29 June after officers responded to the disturbance. Police alleged trespass offences in relation to several arrests. Officers remained at the site overnight while continuing to engage with protesters who had stayed in trees within the fenced area.

By 30 June, emergency crews assisted in safely bringing down one woman who had spent the night in a tree. She was taken to hospital as a precaution, while another person was arrested during the operation.

Community voices concerns over future of Kurilpa Commons

For many involved in the protest, the issue extends beyond the loss of a garden.

Local supporters say Kurilpa Commons has become a valued meeting place where neighbours grow fresh produce, share skills and build connections. They also describe the site as holding personal significance, with memorials established for community members who have died.

Kurilpa Commons member Shane Cucow questioned both the removal of a space used to grow food and the scale of the police response, arguing that community gardens provide practical support during a period when many households continue to face rising living costs.

Another supporter, Jemika Lancaster, said the space had evolved into an important gathering place where people could connect and remember loved ones. She said losing the garden would also mean losing one of the area’s few freely accessible community spaces.

Cr Trina Massey criticised the fencing of the site without prior notice to users, saying residents deserved greater transparency about the future of publicly owned land. She said the garden had transformed a long-vacant block into a vibrant community hub through the efforts of local volunteers.

Housing plans at the centre of the dispute

Photo credit: Facebook/West End Community Association

EDQ said the site is being prepared for more housing, describing it as meeting a community need. The agency said the land had always remained publicly owned, had never been approved as a permanent community garden, and that users had previously been advised the occupation was temporary.

The agency also said a Brisbane City-approved community garden is located about 200 metres away for local residents to use, and that personal belongings left on the site would be returned to their owners where possible.

The land occupied by Kurilpa Commons is owned by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and has recently been transferred to EDQ. The site is expected to be offered for future residential development, although details of any proposed project have not been publicly released.

Read: West End Gardeners Defy Warnings Over Contamination Risk

Police remained at the site as work to secure the land continued, while supporters of Kurilpa Commons said they planned to continue advocating for the future of the community space. EDQ has maintained the site is being prepared for future housing and that users had previously been notified the occupation was temporary.

Published 1-July-2026

West End Gardeners Defy Warnings Over Contamination Risk

Photo Credit: Growing Forward/Facebook

A heated dispute about the fate of a long-standing community garden in West End is unfolding. Authorities have released a warning against possible soil contamination in the area and the seemingly unauthorised use of a public plot for the garden, while supporters of the garden expressed skepticism over the nature and timing of recent actions taken to close the garden down.

Community Garden at Centre of Dispute

Kurilpa Commons was established on a disused state-owned block that had remained vacant for more than 90 years. The site is located within the Kurilpa peninsula, an area with a legacy of heavy industrial activity.

In February, the department fenced off the garden, warning of trespassing and potential prosecution.

It appears that the garden has been operated for six years by Growing Forward, on land belonging to the Department of Transport and Main Roads, allegedly without formal approval.

Despite these measures, community members dismantled the fencing and continued using the garden for various purposes including vegetable growing, acro yoga, and local events.

West End guerrilla gardening — *Photo Credit: Growing Forward/Facebook*

Contamination and Testing Underway

The State has flagged the possibility of soil contamination at the site, citing the peninsula’s industrial history. Previous tests in the broader area have detected substances such as coal tar, heavy metals, semi-volatile compounds and asbestos. While the department has not confirmed what contaminants are suspected at Kurilpa Commons specifically, it stated that preliminary soil test results are expected shortly.

Efforts to conduct additional soil and vegetation testing were interrupted by on-site protests from Growing Forward, who have been occupying the land since the warnings were issued.

Community Response and Concerns

Members of Growing Forward have expressed scepticism about the timing and motives of the warnings, noting the proximity of a neighbouring development. They have stated they are taking precautionary measures, such as thoroughly washing vegetables, but questioned the transparency of the government’s claims.

They view Kurilpa Commons as more than a garden—describing it as a communal space that fosters local organisation and connection. No fines or arrests have been made, despite the garden’s unauthorised status.

Next Steps

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has indicated it will assess future actions once the initial soil testing results are received. It has not confirmed whether further enforcement measures will be taken. The community group remains active on the site, pending the outcome of the State decisions.

Published 2-May-2025

Kurilpa Commons Protest: Community Resists Closure of Beloved Garden

Photo Credit: Growing Forward/Facebook

A group of community members in Brisbane’s West End has taken a stand against the decision to close Kurilpa Commons, a self-managed community garden on state-owned land.

A Garden Built for the Community

Kurilpa Commons was established by local residents during the COVID-19 pandemic as a place for people to grow food, support vulnerable neighbours, and hold community events. Over the past few years, it has become a hub for people facing food insecurity, including refugees and those affected by the rising cost of living.

On the morning of 14 February 2025, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) arrived at the site with fencing, warning signs, and police support, preventing public access to the garden. Officials stated they had identified historical fill on the property that may be contaminated and insisted that closing the area was a precautionary safety measure. They confirmed that testing would take place but did not specify the nature or severity of potential contamination.

Kurilpa Commons in West End — *Photo Credit: Moira Williams/Facebook*

Safety Concerns Cited, Protesters Disagree

Protesters, however, question the timing and intent of the closure. They argue that the land has been in use since 2020 without any previous warnings about contamination. Some believe the real motive is to clear the space for nearby property development, pointing to an adjacent site where affordable housing has been demolished for new construction.

They maintain that the closure of the commons is an attack on public green space and say they will not leave without a fight. One long-time gardener at the site said the land had been left vacant for decades before the community transformed it into a productive space. Others describe it as more than just a garden—a gathering place fostering connection and resilience.

Protests and Police Presence Continue

Shortly after authorities moved in, dozens of residents gathered at the site, forming a peaceful blockade to stop any further attempts to dismantle the garden.

Activist group Growing Forward has mobilised support, calling on neighbours and allies to defend the space. They claim that the government’s actions—bringing in heavy machinery and issuing a trespass notice—suggest an intention to destroy the garden rather than simply test the soil. By midday, the protest had grown, with around 50 people present, and tensions between authorities and demonstrators remained high.

Despite the strong police presence, the community stood firm, and by late afternoon, the officers and TMR representatives withdrew. Protesters have since set up a round-the-clock presence to prevent any future attempts to remove the garden.

What Happens Next?

The future of Kurilpa Commons remains uncertain. TMR has not yet released a timeline for soil testing or given any assurance that the land will remain accessible after the tests are complete. Protesters are demanding transparency and a commitment from the government to preserve the space.

Local representatives have visited the site to speak with protesters, but no formal resolution has been reached.

Published 14-February-2025