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Protests at Brisbane community garden Kurilpa Commons as government prepares land for housing

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Tensions Escalate at Kurilpa Commons as Eviction Begins

Multiple arrests occurred on Monday at Kurilpa Commons, a community garden in Brisbane's inner south, after the state government began fencing off the site in preparation for sale and development. Six people were arrested for trespassing, and as of Tuesday morning, at least one protester remained in a tree inside the fenced area.

Key Details

  • Around 7am Monday, government representatives and contractors arrived to install fencing and signs indicating the land would be transferred to Economic Development Queensland before a likely sale.
  • The Public Safety Response Team (PSRT) was called to the scene after protesters arrived and attempted to climb trees. Six people were arrested for trespassing.
  • Two individuals remained in trees into the evening. By Tuesday morning, one person had stayed overnight in a tree, with about 10 protesters on site and police present.

Background

Kurilpa Commons was established during the COVID-19 pandemic on state-owned land. Volunteers grew fruit and vegetables, and the site was used for community events.

The government stated the land is being prepared to address housing needs, noting it was never approved for ongoing occupation or as a community garden.

Statements

"The Queensland taxpayer-owned site is being prepared to fulfil a community need – more housing. The land is owned by Queenslanders and was never approved for ongoing occupation or as a community garden, and users were made well aware of this some time ago."

— A representative from Economic Development Queensland

"It's just absurd to be demolishing a community garden which is growing food for people in the local community in the middle of a cost of living crisis, and to be arresting people for trying to grow their own food."

— Kurilpa Commons member Shane Cucow

"The state government has fenced off Kurilpa Commons, locking out the very community that transformed this vacant public land into a thriving community space."

— Brisbane City Council representative Trina Massey (Greens)