Christchurch woman fed up living next door to an overgrown property

MESS: Maree Ross lives next door to the site and has tried for more than a year and half to get maintenance on the site, which she believes is a fire risk. Photo / Martin Hunter, Christchurch Star

A Christchurch woman fed up with living next door to an overgrown property has been told it will finally be dealt with.

Maree Ross, living in Avondale, Christchurch, has tried for more than 18 months to get some action on the mess that she believes is a fire risk, attracts flies and vermin and is affecting her physical and mental health.

Finally, after 18 months, the city council has helped to remedy the problem by contacting the property owner who will clear the site.

The property is next to Woolley St Kidsfirst kindergarten which is also concerned about the fire risk.

Ross was visited by a city council staff member on Thursday. He told her the section is not a health nuisance.

City council spokeswoman Claire Le Grice said the maintenance responsibilities for private property sit with the property owner, unless it poses a safety risk.

"The council may issue a notice requiring an occupier to trim or remove vegetation where it is likely to become a source of danger in the event of a fire; or it causes an obstruction by encroaching onto footpaths, cycleways or roads.

City council head of regulatory compliance Tracey Weston told the Pegasus Post on Monday that as the vegetation was still green in colour, it was not an "immediate risk" of fire.

A picture of what the Woolley St site use to look like and a concerned neighbour, Maree Ross, at the site now. Photos / Christchurch Star

She said the property owner had "assured staff" he will clear the site this week.

"The site will be revisited early in the new year and if the vegetation has not been cleared by then it will be reassessed as to whether it's a potential fire hazard," she said.

The city council placed fire restrictions on the city on Saturday.

"Long, dry grass can cause fires to spread quickly so it is important at this time of year that people keep any grass around their property trimmed,'' said Richard Neale, compliance and investigations team leader.

Ross said the empty section was purchased after the earthquakes.

Nothing has been done to maintain the site since.