“Roadside gardens are to be outlawed in Auckland, with residents forced to apply for a $150 licence if they want to deviate from strict new rules being proposed by the city’s transport authority.”
No, no, no, no. Auckland Transport has got this all very wrong.
For those who live outside of Auckland:
Berms. Love them or loathe them, every street has them. Some streets have front berms (between the road and the footpath), some have back berms (between the footpath and private property) and some have both. Auckland Council owns them all. It is interesting to note at this point however that they don’t take responsibility for regular maintenance (eg: mowing). This is the responsibility of the home owner. What does the home owner get for their trouble? Nothing. At best in recent years, Auckland Council had turned a blind eye to the small percentage of home owners who, off their own bat, with their own equipment, hours, seeds and passion, have turned their berms into a community haven: with a splash of colour to bring bees back to the front yard, low maintenance herb gardens, or even turning their green thumb to rows of cabbages — all private planting for public good.
Auckland Transport are proposing that berm planting is not just discouraged but outlawed: NO fruit or vegetable growing, and only plants under 30cm high. If a member of the public wants to deviate they are suggesting a $150 licence fee to apply.
“Vegetable plants will not be permitted, and fruit trees are to be banned because it’s claimed they attract vermin.”
Auckland Transport’s issues include: attracting vermin; road safety, in that they reduced lines of sight; damaging utility services; causing disputes between neighbours; blurring the line between public and private land; and causing ongoing maintenance issues. Read full article: Berm Gardens to be banned under tough new rules
This tongue in cheek (but to the point) piece was posted to Facebook yesterday by my Englishman, Jel:
Vermin: Vege gardens do not attract vermin in the sense critics claim, if they did then growing veges would have been outlawed everywhere generations ago. And we’d all have got scurvy. Rubbish bins with decaying food attract vermin QED close down supermarkets and restaurants.
Children in danger when crossing road to pick fruit: Kids generally don’t eat fruit – they eat lollies QED close down all dairies.
Traffic has line of sight blocked: No reported road deaths in NZ as a result of cabbages on berms. Perhaps Auckland Transport could stop people parking on driveways in a way to block the paths, causing mothers to push prams in the road to get past and the rest of us to crack our shins on protruding tow bars?
Access to utilities required: Most modern trench diggers are powerful enough to get through rows of carrots. Workmen performing these rare tasks may also appreciate digging up and taking home any food before starting work to offset their low salaries. The money saved could go toward a house deposit that no one can achieve in Auckland.
Arguments with neighbours: We are so insular in Auckland we don’t need broad beans to start a war – we have uncontrolled dog barking, loud stereos and endless spa parties for that. Ironically our last set of young flatting neighbours ticked all those boxes, but then one day they started planting veges and we finally had a positive conversation with them. Nice.
Auckland Council & Auckland Transport we own you, you do our bidding, not the other way round. What are you scared of?? You could run a campaign urging everyone to plant free food on berms and the take up would be small, but it might just inspire people to realise their back yards can grow food. Shame on you.
Time for some urban rebellion Auckland!
Surely responsible homeowners should have the choice to instigate a community fruit/vegetable patch too. There is no cost to Council for upkeep, maintenance, seeds, water….it’s a win win situation. Take a look at the success of the Incredible Edible Geraldine concept — it works, it brings the community together and encourages healthy living.
Private planting for public good — free food, happy neighbours, productive berms. No licence. If you feel strongly about this you can have your voice heard in a Online Petition — sign up here.
You WILL be hearing more from me on this subject. Am I the only one? Make some noise if you want to see a positive outcome.
