Viewpoint – Local action supported

The effect of Auckland Council’s decision to lower maintenance standards within its parks has become noticeable over summer.

The sudden appearance of dead brown grass edges around parks and playgrounds has resulted in a flood of complaints, and stories in Hibiscus Matters continue to cover this issue.

To save money Auckland Council’s governing body voted to drop traditional mechanical edging using weed-eaters for cheaper Glyphosate chemical spraying around parks, reserves and gardens across all of Auckland.

The first round of spraying began in October last year and was completed during January.

People don’t like the way the parks are looking and many are concerned about the harm caused by Glyphosate spray drift.

They are particularly concerned that chemicals are being used so close to children’s play areas, early childhood centres and retirement areas and they want Council to return to using weed-eaters for maintaining the grass edges around parks.

Recreational Services, the Auckland Council contractor used for maintaining the Hibiscus Coast parks, is able to replace chemical with mechanical edging provided the cost shortfall is covered by Auckland Council.

Ratepayers expect a certain level of service from their rates and the drop in service is very unpopular.

Ratepayers’ opinions about the decision to drop park service standards will be sought through the Council’s annual planning and budgeting process and I would strongly encourage residents to voice their opinion. The annual planning process began on February 15 and runs until March 15. Public feedback forms are available at the Whangaparaoa and Orewa libraries, at the Orewa Council customer service centre in Centreway Rd, and online at Shapeauckland.co.nz.

The Hibiscus & Bays Local Board was recently approached by concerned parents from Millwater who want Council to stop weed spraying at their children’s playground. They wish to form a volunteers group to weed the park themselves using weed-eaters not sprays (see story).

These are the types of community initiatives that should be supported. Not only does it empower communities to achieve what they want, it also means the job gets done and ratepayers’ money is saved.  

I will be supporting these ratepayers to gain agreement with Auckland Council to break away from its bureaucratic controls and to be allowed to do what they are setting out to do.

If successful, this community test case could be used by other communities right across Auckland, returning to them a say about what happens in their neighbourhoods if they are unhappy about Council’s decisions.

The use of chemical sprays on street berms and roadsides is a separate activity controlled by Auckland Transport. Auckland Transport already operates a no-spray register for people who do not want chemical weed spraying outside of their house.