State Government secures the Future of Wendy Whiteley’s beautiful Secret Garden

WENDY WHITELEY breathed a sigh of relief today after the State Government stepped in to preserve her masterpiece for the future.

THE future of Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden has been secured after the NSW state government agreed to an extended lease which will preserve the living work of art until 2075.

“For more than 20 years, Wendy Whiteley has laboured tirelessly to change what was essentially an overgrown railway dump into a beautiful and unique public space,” said Transport minister Andrew Constance.

“This is truly a celebration of all the work and time and dedication to safeguarding what is without doubt our secret national treasure.”

Transport Minister Andrew Constance and North Shore MP Jillian Skinner join Wendy Whiteley in the secret garden for the announcement. Picture: Adam Ward

The garden now overflows with verdant beauty and has a network of paths which lead to hidden artworks and Instagrammable views of Sydney Harbour.

But when she first started digging more than 20 years ago it was a dumping ground for rubbish.

In an act of guerilla gardening she cleared the land and over time transformed it into the tourist attraction it is today.

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The hideaway is a favourite of both locals and tourists. Picture: Adam Ward

The garden is on state government land and was part of a larger rail area used for parking trains between peak times.

North Sydney Council took out its first beautification licence in 2008 to formalise the situation for Ms Whiteley.

Wendy Whiteley gave NSW Premier Mike Baird a private tour of her Secret Garden today.

The last five year licence was due to run out in 2018 and as part of the terms the government had the right to take back the land if it was needed for operational purposes.

As a result the Lavender Bay hideaway always had an air of uncertainty hanging over it. Whiteley appealed to the state government to secure its future and was thrilled with the guarantee announced today.

The announcement attracted a large group of journalists and photographers to the garden. Picture: Adam Ward

“It’s a great collaboration and it will become a collaboration now instead of being a slightly worrying feeling that somebody could arrive with a bulldozer one day or a chainsaw or something and it would all be gone overnight,” she said.

“I can’t quite grasp it yet, it’s still a bit unreal.

“It’s a magical moment. It’s all come together.”

The new deal will see a 30 year lease with a 30 year rollover clause.

The ashes of her late ex-husband Brett Whiteley and their only daughter Arkie are scattered in the garden. Her mother and her twin sister and pet dogs are also in the garden.

“I’ve no doubt that Brett would have been complaining about how much money I’ve spent,” she said.

Ms Whiteley was beaming with happiness at the event. Picture: Adam Ward

“He would have made some great drawings and Arkie would have been thrilled. She bought those palms that are down there before she passed on.

“Their ashes are down there and so for me they will always be with me.”

North Sydney Council has also lobbied to secure the garden’s future.

Mayor Jilly Gibson paid tribute to the work of Robert Emerson, the director of open space and environmental services.

“This is a day of celebration for Wendy, for North Sydney Council and the entire community,” Ms Gibson said.

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