AT in standoff with Auckland resident over 'sustainable' planted berm

Dee Pigneguy found herself in a standoff with Auckland Transport and some neighbours over the berm.
Dee Pigneguy found herself in a standoff with Auckland Transport and some neighbours over the berm. Photo credit: RNZ

Rip it out - or we will.

That's what Auckland Transport has told the creator of a planted berm in Auckland. 

It's after Manly resident Dee Pigneguy found herself in a standoff with Auckland Transport and some neighbours over the berm, which she planted to stop flooding and promote environmental awareness.

First Up reporter Katie Doyle and cameraman Nick Monro first visited Dee in 2019, so they popped back to find out if she'll be saying goodbye to the berm.

Dee said the letter from Auckland Transport was very threatening.

"It virtually tells us that we are public nuisances and, if we don't return this berm to a desert of grass in which no life can possibly exist, they will come out and do it themselves and it will cost $3450."

However, she's not going down without a fight. She says the berm is sustainable and environmentally friendly. 

She used the berm to plant food she could provide to people who may have been struggling due to COVID-19.

In a statement, Auckland Transport said it has received a total of four complaints.

It said staff visited the site on June 23 and will look again to see if a compromise can be reached.

But Dee says she's made multiple attempts to contact them with no results.

"I would've thought, if they had a problem with my berm, they would send someone out here to speak to me. They must have staff if they've got enough staff to keep hassling me."

RNZ