Community groups are frustrated by Council’s decision to reject proposals for an Indigenous plant nursery in the Sydney area.
Labor Cr Meredith Burgmann proposed the development for the Wattle Street depot site at last week’s Council meeting.
Mary Mortimer co-convenor of Pyrmont-Ultimo Land Care said the trashed proposal contradicted the Council’s vision.
“I thought the Sydney motto was green, connected and sustainable. An Indigenous plant nursery certainly ticks these boxes,” she said.
“The Council has made no commitment to the foundation of Indigenous plants. It’s very very disappointing.”
Councillor Burgmann said the residents who asked her to pursue the development have no place to buy and grow indigenous plants locally instead they go to Gymea.
“The small volunteer Rozelle Bay Community Native Nursery has done a wonderful job providing local native plants for public spaces in Glebe and Pyrmont, but this nursery is about to move out of the City of Sydney area.”
“We need to replace it with a Council supported native plant nursery in the City of Sydney,” she said.
“Residents want to be able to see and buy these plants locally.”
The main site under discussion, the Wattle street depot, has been a cause of irritation and activism for local community groups who feel it has been underused for years.
“It’s been unused for a long time . . . The Council say they are still looking at what to do with the site,” Ms Mortimer said.
“It makes a lot of sense to have a community nursery at this site.”
City of Sydney Council announced they would be releasing a master plan earlier this year ‘in due course’ however CEO Monica Barone said there was no definite timeline for this plan.
Convenor of Pyrmont Action, Elizabeth Elenius said the lack of urgency from Council was dumbfounding after years of inactivity.
Clr Burgmann said the pressure for the development wouldn’t cease anytime soon.
“The need for a Council-supported Sydney Indigenous Plant Nursery has come from local residents. They’ll continue to try and convince Councillors of its benefits.”
“We should be showcasing the wonderful range of plants which are native to the soils of this city – in our parks, streets and balcony gardens. Our unique flora is a tourist attraction,” she said.
“These plants will cope better with climate change. They use less water, provide habitat for small native birds and animals, they’re locally evolved for survival, and they’re beautiful to look at.”
