A Sydney community grew vegetable gardens. The council says they’re illegal

A western Sydney council has vowed to remove three community vegetable gardens it has deemed “illegal”, despite residents criticising the decision as restrictive bureaucracy.

Intended to become a space where the community could come together, mingle and grow vegetables, the three small gardens scattered across the Penrith local government area have sparked objections from the council, which plans to remove the garden beds next week.

In Werrington, near Penrith, three small garden beds filled with green leafy plants sit undisturbed in a patch of grass next to a sports oval. A notice placed on the top of mulch warns it has been “illegally placed” on council land and will be removed on September 27.

Another garden in Claremont Meadows was already destroyed, wood and dirt left scattered across the grass, when the Herald visited on Thursday.

In a statement, Penrith City Council said it was supportive of community gardens, but that gardens cannot be placed just anywhere. The gardens were built without discussion with the council and without approval.

“Council has a policy that oversees the process for this and we encourage community members to contact us if they would like to install a community garden,” the council said.

“The process ensures the views of the broader community are considered, and that safety and risk, accessibility and access to water are taken into account.”

However, many in the community have condemned the decision – including the group that installed the gardens. Earlier this week, residents living near the three vegetable gardens received a note from the gardeners encouraging them to contact the council to prevent the removal of the beds.

“We are saddened to see council has deemed this use of public land illegal and are set to remove all garden beds on September 27 because of a restrictive bureaucratic process [that] excludes community over time, instead of building it,” the note read.

Resident Chloe Crosland was surprised when she received the note in her letterbox, saying she believes the gardens should remain in the community.

“Cost of living is tight for a lot of people at the moment and I think it’s a waste of [ratepayer] dollars to ultimately reduce access to food and an avenue of community building,” she said.

“Whoever put in the beds in the first place no doubt did so out of necessity given so many people can’t risk upsetting their landlords and being kicked out.”

On its website, the council says community gardens strengthen communities, connect people and promote sustainability.

“They take many different shapes and forms, but the heart of the concept is working together to grow fresh, healthy fruit and vegetables,” it says.