Guerilla garden removed from Sydney intersection dubbed 'triangle of shame'

A guerrilla garden that briefly transformed a concrete traffic island in Sydney into a "triangle of sanctuary" has been removed by Transport for NSW due to safety concerns.

The "Newtown Forest," as locals called it, featured small trees in bathtubs, potted plants, and a park bench on the intersection of King Street and Enmore Road in Newtown. Nic Lowe, a member of the community group K Shift that created the garden, described it as an "imagination exercise" to beautify the traffic island.

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We call it the triangle of shame. It was a place of natural sanctuary in the middle of an urban jungle.

"We call it the triangle of shame," Lowe told 702 ABC Sydney. "It was a place of natural sanctuary in the middle of an urban jungle."

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The installation also encouraged people to remain on or walk around the concrete island, which was not designed or intended for pedestrian access.

Transport for NSW stated the installation reduced driver line of sight and posed a projectile risk if hit by vehicles. The agency also noted it encouraged pedestrians to use the concrete island, which was not designed for such access. "The decision to remove the installation was made solely on safety grounds, with the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists our highest priority," a spokesperson said.

Lowe argued the island was a pedestrian refuge and questioned the safety assessment, noting similar median islands with plantings in nearby suburbs. He pointed out the 40 km/h speed limit in the area. The concrete island, approximately 60 square meters, separates traffic in a busy nightlife district and houses traffic signals.

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The decision to remove the installation was made solely on safety grounds, with the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists our highest priority.

While NSW Police were present during the removal, no arrests or move-on orders were issued. Transport for NSW acknowledged the community spirit and encouraged residents to work with authorities on suitable locations for greening initiatives.

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It is, in fact, a pedestrian refuge anyway. So if it's unsafe to sit there, then it's unsafe to stand there.