In short:
Transport authorities removed a pop-up garden from a concrete island in Sydney's inner west, citing safety concerns.
A community group behind the so-called Newtown Forest says it was an "imagination exercise" to try beautifying an unused part of the busy intersection.
The guerilla garden was there for about two weeks before being dismantled.
Transport for NSW says it removed a guerilla garden on a concrete island in a busy inner west Sydney intersection due to safety concerns for pedestrians and motorists.
A collection of small trees in bathtubs, pot plants and a park bench had recently popped up in the intersection of King Street and Enmore Road in Newtown, dubbed by locals as "Newtown Forest".
Newtown resident Nic Lowe was among the group that set up the short-lived refuge and described it as an "imagination exercise" for beautifying the traffic island.
"We call it the triangle of shame," Mr Lowe, who is part of the community group K Shift, told 702 ABC Sydney.
"It was a place of natural sanctuary in the middle of an urban jungle.
"We had about eight pots there, about eight bathtubs. We had about 50 aloe veras."
Loading...A spokesperson for Transport for NSW said it created safety risks because it reduced the line of sight for drivers and the items could become projectile risks if they were hit by vehicles.
"The installation also encouraged people to remain on or walk around the concrete island, which was not designed or intended for pedestrian access," the spokesperson said.
"The decision to remove the installation was made solely on safety grounds, with the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists our highest priority.
"We appreciate the community spirit and positive intentions behind the project and encourage residents interested in greening or beautification initiatives to work with the relevant authority to identify suitable locations where these activities can be delivered safely and compliantly."
The concrete island, which covers about 60 square metres, separates north and southbound traffic in one of Sydney's key traffic arteries and runs through one of the city's busiest nightlife districts.
The island is home to traffic signals for the three-way intersection.
Mr Lowe said it was not in a dangerous position as the roads had a 40 kilometre an hour speed limit.
"It is, in fact, a pedestrian refuge anyway," Mr Lowe said.
"So if it's unsafe to sit there, then it's unsafe to stand there."
He compared the situation to median traffic islands in the neighbouring suburb Erskineville, where speed limits were 40km/h and featured trees and hedge plantings.
702 ABC Sydney understands while NSW Police were present during the garden's removal, no arrests or move-on orders were given.
