Gardens for all: Resident

RACHEL PINDER
People living near Napier's Botanical Gardens should not think of it as their own backyard.
That was the view of a Taradale resident who was among 24 people who crammed into a Strategic Planning Committee meeting to give their views on the controversial gardens fence.
A total of 88 submissions were made following a huge public consultation which started in December to finally sort out the fence, which has so far cost $75,000.
The partially-built security fence is part of a $1.5 million major renovation and rejuvenation plan for the gardens on hospital hill, but has caused nothing but controversy since it went up.
Taradale resident Roger Alder told councillors he had no hidden agenda because he did not live near the fence.
"I can't see any problem with the fence. It is necessary due to vandalism," he said.
"The Botanical Gardens are for everyone who lives in the Napier district. We should not be dictated to by the people who live near the gardens, who think of them as their own property. And in my view, a bird aviary is not very politically correct. It would be better to create an area to attract birds into the gardens," Mr Alder said.
Brett Gilmore lives a few hundred metres away from the fence.
"I would like to see the 150-year tradition continue by having the Botanical Gardens without a fence.
"I think the gardens should have the necessary security which is balanced with the perceived risk," Mr Gilmore said.
Napier resident Andrew Wares said the fence should be removed immediately.
"It's very ugly and it should go. I accept that vandalism is an issue but I feel strongly that fencing the area is not the answer. I would urge the council to use more innovative ideas to address vandalism, particularly through environmental design," Mr Wares said.
Cr Faye White said there hade been 140 incidents of reported vandalism at the gardens.
"The Botanical Gardens is a huge target area for vandalism and anti-social behaviour, with stolen plants, rubbish and discarded needles found there. It makes very sober reading," she said.
Hundreds of residents have expressed concern about the 2m-high vandal-proof fence.
Work on it was suspended in August after about 150 residents met Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott and made it clear that a high, very visible fence was not the answer.
Removing the fence was expected to cost the council tens of thousands of dollars, because a contract to build it had been in place and the materials and labour costs would need to be met.
Steps were taken by residents to form a Friends of the Gardens group to look at effective alternatives, with floodlighting, a CCTV camera and security patrols as possible options.
Some residents believed a security foot patrol around the site of the old Napier Hospital, which had become a target for vandals and thieves, had been an effective deterrent.
Others questioned the level of vandalism reported by council staff. In the past two years, the 100-year-old terracotta fountain was smashed, aviaries were slashed and birds released on eight occasions. Toilets were smashed and graffiti has been widespread.
Two public meetings have already been held to gauge public opinion.
Councillors are expected to meet again next week to discuss yesterday's submissions.