Guerrilla Gardeners

Guerrilla Gardeners was an Australian television show that was broadcast on Network Ten. The show takes its name and basic premise from the guerrilla gardening environmental movement. Premiering on 18 February 2009, it was axed in April 2009 due to struggling viewership figures and an unsuccessful timeslot change, with a number of episodes still to be aired[1] but was picked up by Network Ten's digital channel One on 26 July 2011. The show caused controversy due to the activities portrayed in the program.

Guerrilla Gardeners
Presented byDave Lawson
Country of originAustralia
Original language(s)English
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13
Production
Producer(s)Nick Murray
Running time30 minutes (including commercials)
Release
Original networkNetwork Ten
Picture format576i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV)
Audio formatDolby Digital 5.1
Original release18 February 2009 –
27 July 2011

Overview

The show involves a group of six "guerrilla gardeners" attempting to covertly beautify urban eyesores such as abandoned lots or bleak public spaces without being caught by the authorities. Five of the guerrilla gardeners are experienced in landscape and horticulture, while sixth member and host Dave Lawson was hired primarily for his ability to "spin lies to the councils when they turned up".[2]

Controversy

The gardeners' work is done without seeking consent from the owners of the land, and is often completed through subterfuge and by defying trespass laws. Because of this, a finished Guerrilla Gardeners project was threatened with removal by Marrickville Council,[3] while a project in Sutherland Shire was halted halfway through construction due to council interference, with the unfinished plantings later removed.[4] The producers were also issued with a fine by the council, which they challenged.[5] Ten also accused Canterbury Council of preparing to destroy work featured in the series' first episode, though these claims were later found to be premature and incorrect.[6]

Sutherland Shire asserted that its removal of a Guerrilla Gardeners project was due to factors such as the team's failure to take into account soil quality, and the unauthorised installation of plants and decorations which might create a distraction for motorists. The council also claimed that the gardeners failed to comply with traffic and workplace safety rules during construction.[7] Producers of the show have stated that they will respect any council decisions regarding what becomes of their work.[3]

Episodes
# Title Original air date Ratings[nb 1]
1"Canterbury"18 February 2009 (2009-02-18)687,000 (—)[8]
2"Cleveland Street"25 February 2009 (2009-02-25)712,000 (—)[9]
3"St Kilda"4 March 2009 (2009-03-04)702,000 (24th)[10]
4"Annandale"11 March 2009 (2009-03-11)685,000 (23rd)[11]
5"Newtown"18 March 2009 (2009-03-18)766,000 (22nd)[12]
6"Jannali"25 March 2009 (2009-03-25)750,000 (20th)[13]
7"Randwick"1 April 2009 (2009-04-01)731,000 (21st)[14]
8"Balmain"8 April 2009 (2009-04-08)800,000 (20th)[15]
9"Ashfield"15 April 2009 (2009-04-15)755,000 (21st)[16]
10"Woolloomooloo"19 April 2009 (2009-04-19)396,000 (27th)[17]
11"St Peters"26 April 2009 (2009-04-26)436,000 (27th)[18]
12"Parramatta"26 July 2011 (2011-07-26) (One)–
13"Manly Vale"27 July 2011 (2011-07-27) (One)–
Average series ratings 674,545

Notes
  1. Overall national viewers, numbers in brackets indicate nightly ratings position.
gollark: It should autospin.
gollark: Fuel level?
gollark: It is plugged in, right?
gollark: Really?
gollark: You could just stick it back on the dock and it'll autorecharge.

References
  1. Out: Guerrilla Gardeners
  2. Knox, David (18 February 2009). "The war on terra australis". TV Tonight. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  3. A garden? Not in our backyard – council
  4. Guerillas demolished by council
  5. Guerrilla courtcase
  6. Guerrilla’s site: accusations, confusion and publicity
  7. Guerrilla Gardeners at Jannali Roundabout
  8. Knox, David (16 February 2009). "Week 8". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  9. Knox, David (23 February 2009). "Week 9". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  10. Knox, David (2 March 2009). "Week 10". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  11. Knox, David (9 March 2009). "Week 11". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  12. Knox, David (16 March 2009). "Week 12". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  13. Knox, David (23 March 2009). "Week 13". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  14. Knox, David (30 March 2009). "Week 14". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  15. Knox, David (8 April 2009). "Week 15". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  16. Knox, David (13 April 2009). "Week 16". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  17. Knox, David (20 April 2009). "Week 17". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  18. Knox, David (27 April 2009). "Week 18". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 7 May 2009.

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