Hepburn St berm
10 June 2025
Unapproved planting was carried out on the Hepburn Street berm some years ago. As the berm is attached to Freemans Park property, the Body Corporate is responsible for its maintenance.
Auckland Council and Auckland Transport prohibit berm planting for safety and maintenance reasons, and have offered to restore the berm to lawn if requested; the Committee is seeking owner feedback before deciding.
Following feedback, the berm planting was removed.
Separately, the Body Corporate is updating the wider grounds plan, working with landscape architects and Auckland Council on a landscape-led flood mitigation approach, building on the park’s original design by Harry Turbott.
As some owners have identified, there is a short stretch of planting on the berm at the corner of Hepburn Street and Beresford Street West. This planting was undertaken some years ago by a neighbour without consultation with or the agreement of Freemans Park. As the berm is attached to our property, we are responsible for its maintenance.
Auckland Council and Auckland Transport prohibit planting on roadside berms for both safety and maintenance reasons. The planting in this location has no practical flood mitigation benefit and is at odds with the park-like plantings of Freemans Park.
Auckland Council has sought confirmation that the Body Corporate would like the berm restored to lawn. If we confirm, the Council will undertake the work. The Committee is aware of differing views regarding planting on the berms. Before we take this decision, we invite feedback on the issue.
Separately, the Body Corporate is working to update the plan for the Freemans Park grounds. New Zealand’s first landscape architect, Harry Turbott designed our grounds, and they are a major asset of the park. We are also working with our landscape architects and Auckland Council on a landscape-led response to flooding mitigation. We will have more to share about this in the coming months.
Update:
Following owner feedback, the Committee asked Auckland Council to remove the berm planting, and it is being restored to lawn – similar to all other berms surrounding Freemans Park.