Jack Madigan Reserve—subsidence & contamination

Transition Hobsons Bay had a very successful Global Earth Exchange gathering at the Jack Madigan Reserve in Newport, Victoria, Australia on 22 June. We advertised the event through local newspapers, distributing 700 leaflets and questionnaires, and creating a Facebook page (which now has 55 likes and many other visitors). 70 adults and children joined us for Global Earth Exchange at the contaminated, subsiding and fenced off piece of land, which was briefly a park before it was found to be contaminated and subsiding. The community not only made the fence beautiful, but also demanded that the local Council remediate the land and return it to public space. The Mayor came along to tell us about plans for the site, and told us that remediation will start later this year and be completed late 2014. We feel that our action helped the Council to reach their decision. At the Global Earth Exchange event we dressed the fence with signs, flowers, streamers and art work. We tossed flower seeds over the fence to reclaim the land. Children chalked pictures on the pavement, depicting what they wanted to see on the land in future. The local community choir sang, including a song written especially for the event (see attached). We were thrilled that the son of Jack Madigan after whom the park was named, was also able to join us. We’ve attached photos from the event and there are many more on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/jcmadiganreserve.  We really enjoyed the day and the outcomes. Many thanks for prompting us to take this action. Greetings from Australia!