Save Thomas Street!

It seems that Thomas st as we know it is under threat of destruction by our lawn loving landlords and their gardener who wishes to “relevel” and “spray” the place in an attempt to reconvert our bountiful garden to the weedy lawnscape which we arrived to.

We stand accused of “intensive permaculture with associated ponds and mulch supply” (their words!) which, amazingly, is considered to be a “loss or damage” to the property.

We have been issued an ultimatum: dig up all our healthy, food producing, and rare medicinal plants and replant lawn within 14 days, or pay our landlords the arbitrary sum of $2100 which will allow them to do so. If we refuse? They can evict us.

Since we couldn’t bear to destroy the happy little ecosystem which we have created here, and we can’t imagine what we’d eat if we were forced to do so, we may need to either find 2000 odd dollars in compensation, or potentially more in legal fees if we can’t reach a happy arrangement. It may not come to this. Currently we are attempting to negotiate a situation which would be beneficial to all involved. We have offered to volunteer our time, skills, labour and plants in creating a longterm, low maintenance, productive garden which the landlords and future tenants will be able to enjoy. Awaiting a response, we are prepared to defend the basic human rights of all tenants, and all people, to grow food where they live.

All this coincides with the birth of a new venture, Permaculture Solutions, which aims to assist people in achieving sustainability through permaculture garden design, skills, plants and poultry.

We are asking all who have experienced, eaten and enjoyed the suburban oasis that is

Thomas st (or indeed all who appreciate the idea) to lend your support. Come along next Sunday 7^th to the Thomas st Open Day (which may need to be a fundraiser) and launch of new venture Permaculture Solutions… Let us know if you can contribute an act, a work of art, your workshop facilitation skills, fresh garden produce, delicious baking, or other valuable stuff, as we’d like the event to be as big, fun and powerful as possible. Legal skills also would be appreciated!