A group of keen gardeners including HMAA Queensland members are trying to save an important garden from destruction. Barb Wickes explains the cause.
Just over two weeks ago the owners of Joncia Gardens at Logan south of Brisbane were contacted by the Queensland government informing them that their home and business was to be acquired to make way for a new school.
Two families live on the one hectare site, Marcia and John Rivett and their daughter Julie Hughes, who also works in the family business.
Jonica Gardens has nine event or wedding garden rooms and a dedicated 1950s dance hall. The gardens have been established over 33 years opening for garden tours and Australia’s Open Garden Scheme.
The garden club I belong to, Perennial Poppies, visited earlier this year. As part of our visit, Dale Arvidsson, Curator at Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens spent time teaching us about some of the more unusual plants in the gardens. It was my first time at the gardens, which I had heard so much about over the years, so it was a delight to finally get to see them.
I was struck at the time by how much work had been done to make these gardens so special for weddings and other events. The nine distinct garden areas create many photo ops and the site with water gardens, lush tropical plantings and collections of mature palms is an oasis.
To see more of the garden and hear the owners talk about their plight, view the story that appeared on ‘A Current Affair’ on June 16.
Sign the petition
In response to the news of the proposed demolition a group of concerned gardeners has created an online petition on change.org and are hoping to spread the word. If you would like to support our opposition to the destruction of this important garden, please sign. You can find the petition at:
