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Hibiscus Coast residents who have planted beyond their front gates and onto the berms will be subject to new rules that are being finalised by Auckland Transport (AT).
AT began reviewing this policy in February 2014. It was to have taken draft proposals for new rules to local boards back in May, but they eventually went to a Hibiscus & Bays Local Board workshop in September.
Feedback from local boards is still being obtained, and AT spokesperson Mark Hannan says no decisions will be made until that process is complete.
Hibiscus & Bays Local Board chair Julia Parfitt says that she is concerned that what has been suggested – including that berm plantings must be replaced with grass at AT’s request, or when a property is sold; and a $150 fee if residents want to plant outside the guidelines – is “overly bureaucratic”.
The board’s feedback includes a request that there should be a dedicated section for areas such as Okura, Stillwater and Waiwera to reflect rural character and limited pedestrian connections.
The local board also says that the proposed height limit for plants of 600mm should be increased and that fruit trees and vegetables should be permitted on berms.
The local board also asked for clarification as to what the proposed $150 fee covers. It rejects the suggestion that the local board be called upon to mediate where there are non-compliant plantings, saying this should be AT’s role.
Berms were often planted by Hibiscus Coast residents as the former Rodney District Council did not mow or maintain the area, and allowed the berms to be planted, reserving the right to remove the planting without replacement should the need arise.
AT says in a statement that problems associated with berm plantings include sight lines out of driveways, damage to utility services and blurring the boundary between public and private space. “Adjoining landowners have no more right of use of the road corridor outside their property than any other party,” the statement says.
The proposed rules are linked here.
