Opponent kills ‘food forest’ at roadside

A North Shore woman looking for a productive, low-maintenance berm has fallen foul of Auckland Transport rules on berms and is calling for a change in the regulations.

Louise Burnie began converting the front garden and berm of her Torbay home shortly after she moved in this year.

Burnie was looking for a “no-mow option” and settled on the idea of a “food forest”, planted with fruit trees and other edibles, which she planned to distribute to the community.

She laid down mulch across the garden and berm and set about planting, including peach, lemon, lime, mandarin and guava trees alongside rosemary and lavender bushes on the large berm in front of the property.

But on Thursday, Auckland Transport (AT) told her she was in breach of their rules and had 10 days to remove the mulch and plants, or pay $341.90 a day until they were removed.

When Burnie relayed the news to a gardener who had been working on the property for her, the plantings were removed.

Burnie told the Weekend Herald she suspected a neighbour had complained. She said all those she had spoken to favoured the project but one resident was known to raise regular objections.

An AT spokesperson confirmed it had received a complaint.

“While Auckland Transport does not go searching for breaches of the guidelines, when a complaint is made, we are required to act,” it told the Weekend Herald.

“We all do not have the same taste in gardens, people can make the call about their own property but they share the streetscape with their neighbours and we have to try to please everyone. If you want to plant in the berm you need a permit.”

The spokesperson also said private planting required landowner maintenance and might have to be removed and re-sowed in grass at ratepayer expense if the property sold.

Burnie admitted she did not seek permission. But in response to Weekend Herald inquiries, AT contacted her to discuss a compromise.

She was happy with that, saying she would love to plant the berm again and hoped it would be possible.

Burnie also said AT should consider allowing other ground covers.

“[Thyme] will look beautiful, smell beautiful . . . you can walk on it, you can drive on it but it’s not something you have to mow all the time.”

She said maintaining a berm could be a “big ask” for some and a rule change would allow other options.

AT says planting in the berm is usually only considered if it is behind the footpath so passengers can exit vehicles without having to climb through a garden.