The worm squirms on the berm

Veronica from Manakau

26 November, 2024

A social media poll by Horowhenua District Council that 524 residents participated in found 65 percent were against the decision to stop mowing berms, 25 percent were in favour and 10 percent were unsure.

Ceasing berm mowing to save $240,000 annually was one of several community cost-cutting measures included as options during Long Term Plan (2024-2044) consultations, and came into effect on 1 July this year.

A decision that is being re-visited around the Council table on November 27 at 11am in response to community opposition.

An exception to stopping berm mowing is a decision to maintain reserves, "created as a result of growth, which has a budget of $150,672 this year," said parks and property manager Lacey Winiata in a 32 page report included in the agenda.

The report stated Foxton and Shannon residents were concerned about "higher maintenance and costs" because their berms were much larger than berms in Levin.

"Some of the enquiries have touched on the perceived health and safety risks associated with berm mowing. For some in our community their homes and.. berms, are next to 70 kilometre an hour roads."

87 residents who contacted council between August 22 and November 18 expressed concerns ranging from:

Confusion or dissatisfaction about who should have responsibility, health and accessibility issues for residents unable to manage berms due to physical limitations and, aesthetic concerns of unkempt berms impacting on the visual appearance of the district.

In response to Council's suggestion that residents ask for help from social development agency WINZ, one respondent said WINZ does not fully cover lawn maintenance expenses, "and any partial assistance from them is insufficient to meet the remaining costs."

The report stated residents also contacted elected members and council officers directly, and sent emails.

Between 1 June and 14 November a further 130 enquiries were also logged.

It is the second time the council has revisited decisions made since the Long Term Plan was adopted after local land transport budgets for footpaths, cycleways and roading improvements were also recently slashed due to government priorities that favour expressways.

If the Council voted in favour of "partially or fully" reinstating berm mowing it would cost between $40,000 to $120,000 for the remaining eight months of the 2024-2025 financial year.