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Using council land for vegetable gardens?
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Posted by stillmanz QLDAust (My Page) on Wed, Nov 30, 05 at 4:19
Two houses down from my property there is a long narrow peice of land which has a large open drain/ water run off running through it. I want to put a community garden on some of the land? But I don't want to get arrested in the process,does anyone know the laws regarding this? I'm sure I'm not suposed to use it, I just want to know if I can get in any real trouble if I do? Can they kick me off it, if I maintain it etc?
I'm just curious its a big chunk of land and its just going to waste... I want it lol.
What do you think? Does anyone have any information? ie would it fall under some vague turn of the century squatting law regading agrecultural farming.
Any advice?
Mick |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Using council land for vegetable gardens?
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| Is it a Eastment??? I used to have a eastment at the back of one of our houses years ago, Council told me I could do anything I wanted on it except build. Trouble is I cannot remember if it was Melbourne or Brisbane sorry. Why dont you ring them up and find out, dont mention where it is unless you have too, as it will be either Yea or Nay so worth a phone call.....Cheers..MM. |
RE: Using council land for vegetable gardens?
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I will have to bite the bullet and ring them I just wanted to arm my self first lol
Its land on either side of a fenced open drain.. I live in the northern suburbs so its all tidal in my area. I figure the land can't be built on, the council come slash it every fortnight. I might talk to the people who live up against it, they might know more about it.. |
RE: Using council land for vegetable gardens?
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| Check with the council as community gardens are becoming popular. There is a big one in Northey St, Bris, I've put the link below. This is probably too big for what you want but it may give you some ammunition for council. Insurance could be a problem though I have no idea about that. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Northey St City Farm
RE: Using council land for vegetable gardens?
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| I grow fruit trees on the nature strip out the front:).In fact, it is more like a mini orchard. I even ran irrigation out there for the automatic watering system. |
RE: Using council land for vegetable gardens?
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| I should definitely check with the council first. They are very sniffy here about the nature strips and issue fines for having overhanging bushes. They'd probably string you up by the thumbs for growing a pumpkin on the easement! |
RE: Using council land for vegetable gardens?
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RE: Using council land for vegetable gardens?
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| Give it a shot. Councils are more and more into the idea of "community". Maybe you could start a community garden with your immediate neighbours. Great way to get free produce. |
RE: Using council land for vegetable gardens?
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| My mother in law works for community organisation I was thinking of trying to organise something through them? I think I will wait till the new year but as its turned really tropical up here the last couple weeks. |
RE: Using council land for vegetable gardens?
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| If it is a drainage easement then you might not be able to grow in it. The idea is that in the event of a storm event, water is able to get away impeded. Putting in plants and garden beds would reduce the flow and Council (or you) might then be liable for any flooding damage to houses as a result of impeded flow. Definitely check with them but I think you will be disappointed. |
RE: Using council land for vegetable gardens?
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| The other thing I'd consider if its an easement is to have a soil test done. Run off soon makes the soil pathetic. But it's still worth a try - maybe some boundaries can be set close to the channel. Cheers
Linda |
RE: Using council land for vegetable gardens?
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| Even if the council thought it a wonderful idea they would stop you doing it if you did so without permission. They have public liability to consider and their insurance has to be cleared first. The term "allotments" is used in the UK where they have been doing the community garden thing for many decades. Even private industry have "allotments" of land for gardeners, principally vegies. Get a group together and approach your local council and/or private industries with unused land, then sell them on the community service concept of making "allotments" for people to lease on an annual peppercorn rent. You might start a trend that may sweep across Austalia. Many church communities could be interested in the theme also. surplus produce going to the needy etc. In the UK during the 2nd World War they even lifted pathing slabs up in city streets on a "Dig for victory campaign" to counter the effects of the Atlantic blockade. Wasn't there, heard about it off me Mum. I bet Peter Cundall of Gardening Australia could tell you about it though. |
RE: Using council land for vegetable gardens?
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- Posted by Hedwig QLD Brisbane (My Page) on
Sun, Dec 4, 05 at 5:35
| we are on a school ground with the community garden. Everything must be official, and do not laugh you need a security and shure you need some money (water, compost bisns stc.. It is a good idea forming first the group and then asking. Perhaps you draw a nice coloured plan, what you want to do? In which town are you? |
RE: Using council land for vegetable gardens?
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Just go for it Mick. Ask the council. The worst they can do is say no. I'd have thought though that if there aren't any issues with impeding runoff or whatever they'd be more than happy to have someone else look after it rather than having to keep it slashed all the time.
I know an old bloke near Byron Bay who grows a lot of his veggies on the neighbouring block which is council land. They let him do what he likes provided he mows the grass and prevents the damn umbrella tress from spreading. He's happy to do both as the grass and felled trees provide good mulch for his patch. |
RE: Using council land for vegetable gardens?
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| I'll keep everyone posted. I don't believe it is a run off issue. I will go test the waters as far as interest goes at the community centre and see what can be done, thanks everyone for the imput. Mick |
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