Riverton man Eathen Carruthers’ campaign for community garden unlike as City confirm land already being used

A RIVERTON man’s two-year campaign to build a Perth garden-scale community garden is unlikely to come to fruition after City of Canning confirmed the 0.6ha block was being used by another community group.

Eathen Carruthers has lived in Riverton for more than 30 years and shared a street with Lot 72 Riley Road, a block he says has been underutilised throughout his life.

Mr Carruthers said a large-scale production garden would benefit the wider community and put 90 per cent of produce to the homeless and disadvantaged.

The final garden would include sheds, wheelchair access, market days and communal lunches.

“I began campaigning to have a community garden on the vacant land on the corner of Riley Road and High Road…back in early December 2014,” he said.

Mr Curruthers said he approached City of Canning in 2015 and was given permission to get fencing quotes for the site, but City of Canning chief executive Lyn Russell said he had been advised the Canning Arts Group was using the site.

Ms Russell said future use of the land would be determined by its zoning standing.

“The land is currently zoned ‘Civic and Cultural Area’ which would allow for a range of civic and cultural uses on the site, such as its current usage by the Canning Arts Centre,” she said.

“Redevelopment of the site for a range of commercial uses could only be considered if the site was ultimately rezoned.

“Prior to rezoning, a plan for the wider precinct would need to be formulated. This would determine the most appropriate uses of the site and would involve considerable community consultation and Council consideration.”

Mr Curruther’s urged the City to consider a garden, saying it would have a major impact in the greater region.