A makeover for Carters Rd

Carters Rd in Amberley will be receiving a landscaping revamp.

It has been more than a decade since Amberley’s main road upgrade was completed, which included new garden plots, hedging, trees, signage and seating.

While most is still in good order and well maintained, some hedges and garden plots have deteriorated with age. Before spending more money revitalising them, other things need to be considered.

These plantings were completed when Carters Rd was considered a lower level road in accordance safe working rules. Increased traffic levels has meant changed status and the associated safety rules, which means a more comprehensive Traffic Management plan has been imposed by Waka Kotahi/NZTA.

In considering these impacts and the high costs associated to the traffic management, the South Ward Committee has decided to minimise the maintenance of these areas. This will see the removal of the corokia hedging, (of which a large number are dead and need to be removed) and replaced with grass, to the existing riverstone edging and mown. Also, the grasses along Carters Rd will be removed and replaced with limechip or riverstone.

The remaining smaller garden plots are generally easily maintained and are positioned within the road corridor where traffic management is reasonably easy to implement, so won't be affected as much.

Reluctantly making this decision, the South Ward Committee felt that by taking these steps, it would be similar to creating a blank canvas from where a new landscaping regime could begin.

The Committee would like to hear from the community on what their ideas might be for these areas.

Please email info@hurunui.govt.nz or ring 03 3148 816