Upset residents of Sixth Avenue think it isn't fair they can't park on berms outside their own homes.

On Thursday, December 1, Tauranga City Council's berm parking ban between Marsh St and Eleventh Ave on the Te Papa Peninsula took effect. The Weekend Sun understands in the first week of this change nearly $400 worth in fines have been imposed and more than 70 infringement warnings were issued. Sixth Ave residents were surprised by the changes and they're not happy as they believe parking on berms doesn't create issues. 'You can't park outside your own property…it's the most stupid, weirdest thing,” says Aarron Fenwick, who owns a home-based hairdresser business on Sixth Ave.

Harmony shattered

Aarron, who has lived at and operated his Sixth Ave business for 17 years, says parking behind the kerb on the berm has never been an issue and is where many of his clients park. 'Harmony was always fine. It was never a problem so I really don't get why they would remove anywhere for anyone to park.” One side of Sixth Ave restricts parking with yellow dotted lines; the other has limited on-street parking. 'So now you can't even park on the street and you can't even park outside your own house. It's just so ridiculous.”

Surprised with an infringement warning was Sixth Ave elderly resident Patricia McMamara, who has lived at her address for 20 years. She parks on the berm outside her home as it provides easier accessibility to her front door as someone with mobility issues. 'I should be able to question what I do if I'm disabled just to unload my car or something like that. I think there's a lot of things that they probably haven't looked into,” says Patricia.

TCC's network safety and sustainability manager Anna Somerville's response to such concerns is: 'Parking on the berm damages the berm and surfaces under the soil. The resident should park on the road or in her driveway”. 'That's pathetic!” says Patricia. 'They're not even listening.”

Little warning

An issue for the residents was the apparent lack of warning from council about berm parking prohibitions. Peter, who also lives on Sixth Ave, says residents receive mail about Cameron Rd roadworks, yet did not receive mail about berm changes. 'We haven't had anything about this. The only hint I got was a sign appeared down the road on a power pole but from down there right to the top of the street there's nothing.”

Anna says TCC advertised the berm parking ban in The Weekend Sun, which is delivered to all residential addresses in this area (aside from those with no circular signs) 'which was the most cost-effective way to reach the large number of people affected by these changes”.

Observing TCC's advertisement in the Friday, November 25 edition – mention of berm parking prohibitions was within a map key and it was not clearly indicated that prohibitions would extend to 11th Ave. Anna advises council also advertised via radio, social media and other news advertisements.

Berms and business

Aarron learnt of the changes by his salon clients receiving fines. 'It's heartbreaking…they're fining them for no reason.” Aarron thinks the restrictions will impact his business and that clients may find alternative salons.”[Business] has already been hammered with all the Covid – it's like, what is the purpose of doing this?”

Asked whether there could be dispensation for berm parking with homebased businesses in prohibited areas, Anna says: 'Council can consider installing time-limited carparks outside home businesses if they have consents to operate the business. We don't support the use of the berms due to the damage the car parking can cause”.

Council gave the following issues that berm parking causes: Creating mud pools (especially in the winter) that end up on the footpath making it unpleasant for pedestrians; damage to grass, other plants, and tree roots; kerb damage, which can also affect drainage; damage to underground utility services.

The Berm Parking Prohibition sign installed on a Sixth Ave power pole. Photo: Georgia Minkhorst.

Mud and mowing

'I think some of their reasoning is a bit quaint like damage to grass, and here you've got almost buffalo grass,” says Peter. Aarron has eco pavers installed on the berms outside his property. 'The grass will come through [the eco pavers] so it doesn't get muddy at all…there's never been any mud – ever.”

Anna says council will need to consider scenarios where eco pavers pre-exist on berms that were consented by previous council. 'Currently vehicles are banned from parking on the berms even if eco pavers have been installed. Council will not be consenting additional areas of eco pavers.”

'If you wanted a comical twist, are they also going to come and mow the grass?” questions Peter. 'We're the ones that maintain the lawns. I'm the one whose rent it comes out of to mow that berm so I'm doing my bit to help the council,” says Patricia.

Further changes to parking the council has agreed upon between Marsh St and 11th Ave, as part of inner city parking restrictions, will be implemented November 2023.