Coastal plantings investigated

The creep that some coastal properties have made forward onto public land is being investigated by Auckland Council, with the latest illegal planting made outside the property owned by Sir Russell Coutts on the Tindalls Bay beachfront.Auckland Council says that Sir Russell is not alone in extending plantings past his boundary and onto the public reserve.

Council’s parks liaison and development team leader, North, Gerry Fitzgerald, says that a collection of agaves have been planted along the esplanade reserve by residents over the course of 40 years.

“Agaves are not appropriate plants for this site as they do not assist in preventing coastal erosion and can obstruct beach access for the public as they grow,” Mr Fitzgerald says.

Any planting on Council reserve land requires landowner approval and Mr Fitzgerald says the team have been working with a number of property owners, including Sir Russell, who have agreed to remove agaves and other plants.

“We will be working with other residents along this stretch of the esplanade reserve by looking at all the planting that may be on public land and assess the suitability of the plantings. We will be considering the types of plants and whether they would help with erosion control and whether the plantings are restricting public access along the esplanade reserve.”