Artificial grass on berms (Auckland)

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Artificial grass on berms (Auckland)

eaglesd

71 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#283828 14-Mar-2021 15:54

Hi Everyone, I've seen a lot of artificial grass on berms in Auckland but haven't seen anything specifically calling out if this is allowed or not.

I'm looking to get some turf put on there and was wondering if anyone had details (ideally links directly from council or AT) on what the legal situation is like with this.

1 | 2

13730 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6202

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2674305 14-Mar-2021 16:02

"I've seen a lot of artificial grass on berms in Auckland"

i havent seen any at all

eaglesd

71 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#2674312 14-Mar-2021 16:21

Jase2985:

"I've seen a lot of artificial grass on berms in Auckland"

i havent seen any at all

There are at least 4 that I know of on our street alone.

KiwiSurfer

1722 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 993

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2674507 14-Mar-2021 18:55

I've seen one in Flat Bush. That's the only one I've seen but I do wonder if it'll catch on. Low maintenance and all.

MarkM536

321 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 146

#2674556 14-Mar-2021 19:16

eaglesd:

Hi Everyone, I've seen a lot of artificial grass on berms in Auckland but haven't seen anything specifically calling out if this is allowed or not.

I'm looking to get some turf put on there and was wondering if anyone had details (ideally links directly from council or AT) on what the legal situation is like with this.

I've seen an installation that had deteriorated over time, Google street view with an image in November 2019 shows that is had been re-done after I saw it.

This house that I'm thinking of has the ENTIRE lawn covered, including the council berm.

Sorry to say I do not know anything in terms of council permission, but I have seen it on a berm.

Jase2985

13730 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6202

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2674570 14-Mar-2021 20:01

eaglesd:

Jase2985:

"I've seen a lot of artificial grass on berms in Auckland"

i havent seen any at all

There are at least 4 that I know of on our street alone.

what area do you live in?

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1184

#2674597 14-Mar-2021 21:24

I don't recall ever seeing this. That sounds so tacky, sorry. Also, in almost all cases, the berm is not owned by the property owner, but by the council, so technically you'd probably need permission to make such a change (or just hope they don't care enough to notice or do anything).

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

mdav056

616 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 160

Subscriber

#2674604 14-Mar-2021 21:49

Inphinity:

I don't recall ever seeing this. That sounds so tacky, sorry. Also, in almost all cases, the berm is not owned by the property owner, but by the council, so technically you'd probably need permission to make such a change (or just hope they don't care enough to notice or do anything).

As a person who has to wrestle council-owned kikuyu berms, this does sound like a great idea. But even were the Auckland Council to allow it, my better half would not.

gml

Oblivian

7345 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2117

ID Verified

#2674617 14-Mar-2021 22:44

I thought this sounded familiar. I had seen it somewhere, but wasn't sure if Consumer or TV.

It was fair go..

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/berm-battles-christchurch-man-council-neighbour-keep-his-artificial-grass

Imagine similar for up there? It could possibly backfire depending on neighbours :)

eaglesd

71 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#2674686 15-Mar-2021 08:02

Jase2985:

what area do you live in?

Stonefields.

duckDecoy

946 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 432

Subscriber

#2674690 15-Mar-2021 08:18

Inphinity:

I don't recall ever seeing this. That sounds so tacky, sorry.

Modern landscape artificial grass looks pretty amazing nowadays. Its a different beast to the turf you see on sports fields etc.

Benoire

2878 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 681

#2674693 15-Mar-2021 08:21

Remember that the berms are not yours or other land owners, they are part of the public Road and therefore any changes must be approved by Council, or in Auckland, Auckland Transport. While NZ appears to have some really odd rules, such as landowners being responsible for berms outside their property, they do not actually own them and must agree to the local Council's position.

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

eaglesd

71 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#2674742 15-Mar-2021 09:56

duckDecoy:

Inphinity:

I don't recall ever seeing this. That sounds so tacky, sorry.

Modern landscape artificial grass looks pretty amazing nowadays. Its a different beast to the turf you see on sports fields etc.

Yup, the ones I've seen even look better than natural grass. High quality, professionally installed.

eaglesd

71 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#2674744 15-Mar-2021 09:59

Benoire:

Remember that the berms are not yours or other land owners, they are part of the public Road and therefore any changes must be approved by Council, or in Auckland, Auckland Transport. While NZ appears to have some really odd rules, such as landowners being responsible for berms outside their property, they do not actually own them and must agree to the local Council's position.

I understand this. However, the council made some relatively recent changes on how they treat artificial grass for lawns, and also changes around allowing people to plant on berms. So I'm looking for an official site/link that says what is and what isn't allowed. I might have to just email the council by the looks of it.

tripper1000

1648 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1176

#2674756 15-Mar-2021 10:33

I don't know, but common sense says that the council doesn't care if no one complains and that won't happen as long as it is tasteful and presentable and you get along with your neighbours.

I have lived in cities where artificial grass was popular and the draw backs I've noticed is that it isn't self healing or self cleaning like natural grass. Biodegradable trash like leaves, animal dung and food scraps build up on it, as well as sand and dust, and it gets buried where as natural grass recovers and grows through it.

xpd

Geek of Coastguard
14116 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4578

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2674760 15-Mar-2021 10:44

From the Stonefields site....

Who is responsible for the berms?

Auckland Transport is in charge of berms and what can be done with them. Property owners are required to mow and maintain the berms outside their properties. The Stonefields Residents Association is working within guidelines set by Auckland Transport and with assistance from the Ōrākei Local Board.

Good luck dealing with AT, I've had ongoing issues with them breaching their own by-laws affecting about 100 property owners.

BTW, AT are working for the Auckland council, so really the council should be able to reign in AT's decisions etc but they dont. :(

XPD / Gavin

LinkTree

1 | 2