Independent Member for Kurrajong Thomas Emerson MLA has today lodged a community submission to the ACT Government’s consultation on the future of a burnt-out building behind Ainslie Shops, proposing an ambitious revitalisation of the site and the surrounding gardens.
The submission was developed by a volunteer working group formed by Mr Emerson, and incorporates several months of feedback received through consultation with residents and interested stakeholders.
The proposal contains three phases. Phase One is a native garden with urban farming elements on the southern side of the site, supported by crowdfunding and responding to the loss of the volunteer-cultivated community garden on Foveaux Street in Ainslie earlier this year. Phase Two is a two-storey community hub at 91A Wakefield Gardens. A nature playground is proposed for Phase Three. Artist’s impressions for the proposal are available below.
Mr Emerson is calling for the ACT Government to partner with the working group and the broader community to fulfil the potential of Wakefield Gardens.
“There’s a growing group of volunteers who are ready to help deliver on a comprehensive community-led vision for this massively underutilised public asset,” Mr Emerson said.
“We’re inviting the ACT Government to partner with the Wakefield Gardens working group to deliver on our community’s ambitions for the site.
“This is a unique opportunity for the Government and community to work together on a genuinely co-designed and co-delivered initiative.
“We’re hoping to see the ACT Government embrace and capitalise on the significant body of work and momentum that’s already been built at a grassroots level.”
Community members are encouraged to make submissions in support of the working group’s proposal before consultation closes on Friday 7 November at: https://yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/shaping-future-91a-wakefield-avenue-ainslie
Quotes Attributable to Wakefield Gardens Working Group Members
Natalie Brown (Ainslie local & member of Aunty Time First Nations community group):
“I have a special connection to the old building. I was a client of Winnunga when it was there, and three of my children were born during that time. I am also a member of Aunty Time which is a group of Aboriginal residents that work with young people around the area, and we’re really looking forward to having that space redesigned so that communities can access it more.”
Fiona Buining (Ainslie local & Founder of Ainslie Urban Farm):
“One thing I am passionate about is growing food, and teaching and empowering people to grow food. The park at the back of the shops is an incredible space that represents an opportunity for food growing for the people of Ainslie. It could be a learning garden where people can come and learn about growing food, as well as being a beautiful meeting place for people to get together, for people who work at the shops to have their lunch breaks, and for kids to come and play. I did a Churchill Fellowship in 2022 looking at urban farm training programs, and one of the things I repeatedly saw is that these programs absolutely transform lives. The thing that changes lives is people learning how to grow food, and having that connection with our food, with the soil and with nature.”
Mitch Porteous (CEO of Microforest Collective):
“I’m a big believer of people power. If suddenly there are all these great ideas in the room, people should be enabled to actually make that change happen. I’m really looking forward to getting planning, funding, and making something happen in Ainslie.”
Charlie Blumer (Ainslie local & one of the volunteers behind the Ainslie Peace Garden):
“I’m passionate about creating gardens that can bring people together. I’m very excited about what we’ve seen to date, and obviously there is a large interest in the community for developing Wakefield Gardens. It is a very exciting change and initiative to be part of.”
Amy Blain (Ainslie local & principal petitioner):
“The vision that we have for this park could be incredible. For the building itself, it could be really integrated. It will bring the community together in the heart of Ainslie.”
Julie Tongs (CEO of Winnunga Nimmityjah):
“Winnunga had a long beautiful journey here in Ainslie, when we ran our Aboriginal Health Service. We’ve been gone for 20 years now. We moved into the building in 1998 and were in the building until 2005. We were welcomed by the residents of Ainslie. It was the space outside of the building that was most special, where we’d be doing counselling and we’d have doctors doing consults under trees. There was always a place and a space; not everything has to be done in a room. I’d love to see another community hub there with beautiful gardens and play areas for the kids.”
Background
The government-owned building at 91A Wakefield Gardens has been disused for the last 20 years, following the relocation of Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services in 2005. Residents have long called for the building to be reactivated. In early 2025, Mr Emerson brought together a group of interested locals and stakeholders to start discussing ideas for the future of the building and the surrounding gardens. In June 2025, Ainslie resident Amy Blain lodged an Assembly petition, sponsored by Mr Emerson, calling for the ACT Government to fund and plan a community hub at 91A Wakefield Gardens. Mr Emerson hosted a community forum about revitalising Wakefield Gardens in September, where the working group’s initial proposal was shared for feedback. The ACT Government announced it was commencing consultation on the future of the building in September.
The ‘Wakefield Gardens Working Group’ includes:
- Natalie Brown, Aunty Time Inner North First Nations Community Group
- Mitch Porteous, BlockPlanner & Microforest Collective
- Amy Blain, Ainslie Resident
- Charlie Blumer, Ainslie Peace Garden
- Fiona Buining, Ainslie Urban Farm
- Robert Knee, Quest Architecture
- Office of Thomas Emerson MLA
The group‘s proposal is summarised on Mr Emerson’s website here and the full proposal can be found here.
Artist’s Impressions
The following artist’s impressions were developed by (and should be attributed to) local firm Quest Architecture to provide a visual reference for the Working Group’s proposal. These designs present a proof of concept that would necessarily be further developed and refined as part of a normal design process.
