Coast house to relocate garden
• The St Helens Neighbourhood House will be required to relocate half of their community garden by early next year.
By Taylor Clyne
November 25, 2020
Last week news broke that the St Helens Neighbourhood House would be required to remove half of their community garden following a unanimous decision by Break O’Day Councillors.
The House had applied to extend the boundary line of their lease after originally building it in 2017 well over the originally agreed space.
Mayor Mick Tucker explained at the time, March 2017, the House was notified by Council that they had built over the line and would be required to move it should Council require the space.
“It basically doubled the land that was given to them by where they put the fence,” he said.
“Back then the use of the land wasn’t deemed a real issue however they would be required to removed and reinstate it on a later date, this never took place.”
Fast forward three years the House have an established community garden and the Council are currently working on a multi million-dollar master development plan which encompasses part of the land where the fence was build; thus, the issue.
“We understand it was a totally innocent matter at the time but now we’ve got this impending masterplan which will see the whole area redeveloped for the benefit of all in the community so it will need to be moved,” Mayor Tucker said.
As part of the redevelopment a permanent rota lift air pad will be installed next to the hospital and be used for serious medical evacuations.
Mayor Tucker said the air pad must be close to the hospital and will occupy a big structural space; part of this space is exactly where the House fence is located.
“We do not control the restricted air space that’s available to land and there is not enough distance without moving the fence.
“It's in the best interest for all of the community.
“I’d like to look at it like this, if your mum, brother, uncle or family member needed to be medically evacuated would you chose that over a patch of pumpkins?”
Mayor Tucker explained that thankfully many of the gardens are raised and can be moved.
“We know members of the community are quite emotionally attached to their garden and I sympathise, that’s why I will be putting forward a motion at the next meeting to slightly increase the size of land they will have and improve access and parking for users.
“Without this small sacrifice it will totally destroy the opportunity to fulfil the masterplan.”
Neighbourhood House manager Trish O’Duffy said they were filled with mixed emotions.
“Sad news indeed for our dedicated garden volunteers and the many community groups which utilise the garden.”
The lease for the community garden comes up next year and the fence will be required to be relocated before such date.
It’s expected the details of the masterplan will be made public in 2021.