A woman has been removed from a tree by a cherry picker after spending almost 24 hours clinging to branches during a tense protest at Kurilpa Commons in Brisbane's West End.
Protest timeline and rescue
The standoff began about 12:25pm on Monday at 250 Boundary Rd when authorities moved in to fence off the site ahead of plans to clear the volunteer-run urban farm. The state government-owned site is earmarked for future housing development.
The protester, a 30-year-old West End woman, spent the night exposed to Brisbane's winter chill, with overnight temperatures dropping to about 13°C, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). After almost 24 hours in the tree, supporters said she was too exhausted to climb down, prompting emergency crews to bring in a cherry picker.
Rescue operation
A fire service cherry picker was used to reach the woman high above the ground. She was lowered to the ground as one protester repeatedly shouted, “Too many coppers,” with the crowd responding, “Not enough justice”. She was taken to hospital for further assessment.
Background of Kurilpa Commons
The once-vacant site was transformed into an urban farm during the pandemic without council approval. Supporters say the volunteer-run urban farm has become a valuable green space since it was established on vacant public land during COVID-19. The state government says the land is being assessed after being transferred from the Department of Transport and Main Roads to Economic Development Queensland.
Political reaction
Greens Councillor for the Gabba Trina Massey criticised the government's handling of the site. “Without notice, the state government has fenced off Kurilpa Commons, locking out the very community that transformed this vacant public land into a thriving community space,” she said. “Once again, the state government is working overtime to sell off public land that belongs to the community, while shutting the community out of decisions about its future. Communities deserve transparency and input on public land, not fences appearing overnight.”
Speaking from the protest on Monday, supporter Serafina Stone said she feared the loss of green space. “Everything’s going to be concrete,” she said. Massey also questioned the state government’s plans for the site, with its future yet to be publicly confirmed. “It is being sold off with absolutely no information, no transparency and no communication,” she said.
Legal consequences
Police charged the 30-year-old tree protester with one count each of trespass and obstructing a police officer. She is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 14. Queensland Police said seven other people were taken into custody on Monday and later released without charge.
