The eight orange planters are a familiar community asset in the central business area of West End 4101. Installed and planted out in 1995 these large orange circular planters have weathered well for nearly 30 years, with their crowning vegetation bringing a vibrant touch to the Vulture Street and Boundary Street shopping area.
The planters were designed by John Mongard Landscape Architects as part of a suite of street furniture elements which included colourful benches, litter bins and noticeboards. The goanna stage, Peoples’ Park and the fig tree plaza are just some of these West End icons. Design inspiration for the orange planters came from the gas-stripping tower now on Riverside Drive at the western entrance to Davies Park. It is a remnant of the old gasworks.
Kurilpa Futures maintains the planters under the guidance of John Mongard. This involves an annual working bee to cleanup, repaint, add soil, prune and refresh plants. Members do interim plant care, watering and litter removal. Some shopkeepers help with regular watering and care for which we are grateful. Dogs find them useful, as do smokers unfortunately. Kat, who owns BentBooks, the popular very ‘Westie’ secondhand bookstore, waters the thriving twinned planters on her footpath. They look happily brilliant as she does (photo) and complement her colourful shopfront.
KURILPA FUTURES 