A fed-up local has taken a weedwacker to Nelson’s overgrown Beatson Rd roundabout, much to the delight of the community, just days after NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) announced it would mow the area within the next six weeks.
A Facebook post praising the mystery volunteer attracted about 1000 reactions and more than 200 comments over the weekend.
“Not all heroes wear capes, thank you to the legend that we saw doing this on Friday night,” the original poster said.
The person was dubbed the “guerilla gardener” and the “Beatson Rd road slasher” after clearing the long grass and weeds on Friday night.
The action came after a Nelson Weekly story last week reported there were no immediate plans to tackle the overgrown vegetation. NZTA subsequently announced it had brought the work forward because of “rapid spring growth”.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith also praised the effort, saying the overgrown grass was a safety hazard and made the city look untidy.
“I too commend whoever got stuck in… I also concur with it being a safety hazard limiting line of sight as well as making our city look scruffy and unkept.
“The vigilante work is not unhelpful in giving NZTA message that community tolerance has run out.”
Nick said he raised concerns about the lack of maintenance with NZTA every spring, and the agency eventually mowed the roundabouts each year.
“It should not be that hard for NZTA to do its job – council’s roundabouts never get into this mess.”
National candidate for Nelson Blair Cameron also raised the issue with the Minister of Transport last week.
There are four roundabouts in the Annesbrook area. Nelson City Council maintains the Nayland/Quarantine roundabout outside The Junction, while NZTA is responsible for the Whakatu/Quarantine, Whakatu/Annesbrook and Waimea/Beatson roundabouts.
However, NZTA has warned people not to take matters into their own hands, citing the risks of working close to live traffic.
“We ask members of the public not to carry out weed or vegetation control within the state highway corridor. Doing this work close to live traffic lanes, particularly in areas with a 70 km/h speed limit, poses a genuine health and safety risk,” a spokesperson says.
“On State Highway 6 in Nelson, work in these areas in a 70km/h zone requires more safety measures than work in a 50km/h zone because of the greater risk posed by higher traffic speeds.”
They advise people to report issues on the state highway network by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).
“We do not expect or encourage local residents or road users to take matters into their own hands.”
But with community patience wearing thin, will someone else follow suit?
If you’re the mystery gardener behind Friday night’s tidy-up, we’d love to chat to you – even if you’d like to remain anonymous. Email kate@topsouthmedia.co.nz
