Growing problem

What is the cost to stop vegetation going out over the footpaths?

Who from the council is tasked to make sure people comply with vegetation growing out over the footpath and more importantly are they doing it?

Vegetation growing out over the footpath would surely be an Occupational Health and Safety matter for pedestrians and therefore the council has obligations under that piece of legislation to remedy this.

The council was quick to make sure a shop had signs removed so why is it not doing this work?

Winter is the best time to be doing it and some of the offending vegetation (low branches) are on the council’s own trees.

Please don’t make the suggestion that I get a hold of the council as I am only dealing with a small part of the town and that would not be fair to other ratepayers who have an issue in other parts but say nothing.

I have a solution and that is every council person who has the use of a rate-funded vehicle to take home, spend time checking the growth of the vegetation in their parts of the town before going to work.

An hour a day spent on this, after the town is divided into sections, would do it and then the council would be doing what rates are paid for and be cost effective. IAN ROSS Timaru Footnote: The Timaru District Council’s parks and recreation manager, Bill Steans, replied: ‘‘Thank you for your suggestion and in reply to your other questions. ‘‘Trimming vegetation overhanging footpaths from private properties is paid for by the property owner. ‘‘Council trees are checked every year by a contractor and trimmed as necessary in the winter/spring period. ‘‘In addition other trimming is done when we notice, or are advised, of low branches. ‘‘The total cost of tree maintenance is $4.46 per tree.’’