House cows may tidy up Raglan

Raglan is looking decidedly scruffy at the moment. On the 1st October Waikato District Council announced that it would be stopping mowing grass verges in Raglan. Residents instead could apply to Ngaruawahia for verges to be mown. While householders are normally willing to mow small verges outside their properties they are unwilling and in some cases unable to mow large areas of road reserve.

The result is that because of the council’s cost cutting policy, our coastal hilly town is looking very scruffy. Raglan Radio morning show host, Aaron Mooar, discussed this issue in early October with retiring ward councillor Clint Baddeley. Since then grass growth has accelerated. Clint said that he voted against the policy as he knew it would be unworkable. On top of that he added it had been very badly implemented by GM Tim Harty. This resulted in people digging their toes in against the council’s policy.

Clint went on to suggest that Raglanites could fence off their grass verges and have a house cow on them as a way of keeping the town tidy.

On the 13th October, I asked Waikato District Council about this:

“Council’s grass verges around Raglan are looking very unkempt at the moment.

I suppose this is part of WDC’s new policy of not mowing them anymore.

On Raglan Radio this morning, councillor Baddeley suggested that Raglanites should fence off the grass verges in front of their properties and put house cows on them.

Is this allowed?

Would a permit be required?”

A council staff member said she would get back to me with a response as soon as she could. So far no response has been received.

On 25th October the Council responded to the questions. See https://www.raglan23.co.nz/2016/waikato-district-council-say-permit-required-to-fence-verges-for-house-cows/