Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden at Lavender Bay secured with new lease

WENDY Whiteley’s Secret Garden has been secured with a lease signed by North Sydney Council and Sydney Trains.

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THE new lease preserving Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden into the future has been signed by North Sydney Council and Sydney Trains.

A stronger deal for the garden was negotiated by the council in the fine print of the deal. The only reason the lease can now be terminated is if the land is needed for essential railway services.

“They can’t terminate the lease for any other purpose,” said Rob Emerson, the council’s director of open space and environmental services.

“In my opinion that’s a strong result for the park and its future.”

Wendy Whiteley in the garden she created at Lavender Bay. Photo: Bob Barker.

He explained that the previous leases included a resumption clause for any government purpose, which was negotiated out.

The 30-year lease has a 30-year rollover clause, and should see the garden preserved until the 2070s.

Mr Emerson would like to see the land gifted to the council but thinks that it is unlikely any government would touch the garden.

“Once it’s been there for 80 years it’s going to be very difficult to ever do anything other than maintain it as a garden,” he said.

“If it’s a garden treasured by the whole of Sydney and it gets to the age of 80, you’d be a brave state government.”

The garden boasts Instagrammable views of Sydney Harbour. Photo: Bob Barker.

Flowers in the garden. Picture: SnapSydney

Transport Minister Andrew Constance, who has visited the garden, announced that the lease was signed by Sydney Trains on Tuesday.

“Wendy has worked tirelessly over many years to make the garden the majestic place it is today, and I’m absolutely thrilled the land will be preserved for the community to enjoy today and in the future,” he said.

The lease was also recently signed by mayor Jilly Gibson and acting general manager Ross McCreanor.

MPs Andrew Constance and Jillian Skinner with Wendy Whiteley. Picture: Adam Ward

The latest development was also welcomed by North Shore MP Jillian Skinner.

“I am absolutely thrilled that the lease which preserves Wendy Whiteley’s magical Secret Garden for 30 years, with an additional 30-year rollover clause, was signed by the NSW Government,” she said.

The signed lease has been sent to Land and Property Information for stamping and registration. The finalised paperwork will be available for viewing at Stanton Library and Mrs Skinner’s electorate office once this process is complete.

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