With another one of its quirky ‘one size fits all’ approaches, Waikato District Council has introduced a policy of stopping mowing any grass verges in Raglan and other parts of the Waikato. Some exemptions will be granted for elderly and unwell residents. You can download the exemption form HERE. Submissions from some Raglanders for a return to twice yearly mowing have been ignored.
Like the Freedom Camping policy just introduced, WDC has not said how they will enforce this policy. In this case there is no mention of how they will ensure landowners do the mowing.
Media Release: Waikato District Council, 4 October, 2016
Council adopts Grass Verge Policy
Changes are coming for those who have their grass verge mown by Waikato District Council.
From 1 October, Council has implemented the Grass Verge Policy in urban areas (50 kph) to make mowing of verges the responsibility of the adjacent landowner.
Introducing a Grass Verge Policy brings Council into line with many of its neighbouring councils. It also gives Council the opportunity to ring fence costs and provide consistency across the district.
The change comes after Council adopted a Grass Verge Policy last month following a period of consultation.
“Up until now, Council has maintained over 670 individual grass verges across the district, excluding the former Franklin district. This has been at a cost of more than $100,000 per year to all ratepayers. We’ve been doing this for historical reasons and up until the Grass Verge Policy was adopted, we didn’t have a formal process in place to determine which verges got mown and which didn’t. This approach would have seen costs increase over time,” General Manager Service Delivery, Tim Harty says.
“By introducing this policy, Council can now consistently manage the maintenance of grass verges across the district,” Mr Harty says.
Council is now calling for those who feel they should be exempt from mowing their verge by way of age, illness or condition of grass verge to apply for an exemption by 28 October. Those who do qualify will have their verge mown at least four times per year.
To apply to be exempt from Council’s Grass Verge Policy, visit the Council website, a Council office or fill in the form which will be sent to you shortly.
Wonder what their stand is if I turn mine into a vegetable verge….I mean if I have to maintain by council law, which I already do..than surely I can veg it.
The policy makes no mention of turning your verge into a garden. Some councils ban that. But not this one – yet. So go ahead and grow your veggies.
In the last LINK they did suggest growing things on it as long as you don’t obstruct the footpath or traffic vision.
The usual discrimination against urban areas by this regime. Why is it only in urban areas that council won’t maintain the verges of their roads? Hope we get a change of mayor. Good to hear that our councillor voted against it.
Some of these verges could be converted to parking.
Others to fruit or nut trees.
Or Wildflowers for bees.
The verges in question might be offered to others who want a space to manage other than the landowner.