Road/Rail reserve

tub4, Apr 20, 6:28am
Across the road from our home is the main trunk line, the council mow the flat 3mtr strip but there's a bank 3mtrs wide that drops 1.5mtrs down to a drain next to the track. Would we get into trouble if we clean it up and plant it! We were thinking flax and hebes

captaingraham, Apr 20, 6:36am
Why not ask the council. They may even contribute some plants.

tilegirl, Apr 20, 6:41am
Unlikley not but be sure to only plant things that will not be offensive to others , eg dont allow anything that aggravates hayfever
Good on you for caring for your neighborhood

tub4, Apr 20, 6:42am
They don't seem to know where their land stops and Rails starts

spiritofgonzo, Apr 20, 9:00am
I would not talk to council, they won't like it.If you're willing to keep maintaining it, weeding, trimming, replacing plants etc., and you live their permanently, and will reside their for years to come (aren't renting), then just do it.They won't like it for maintenance reasons.They'll want to put someone in their to spray, or weedeat.The last thing they want is another garden to week and trim.Remember that hebes generally only live for a few years before they need to be replaced.

trade4us2, Apr 20, 9:03am
I believe it's illegal to walk around near a railway line. It certainly could be dangerous.

trade4us2, Apr 20, 1:54pm
http://www.railsafety.co.nz/facts/trespass

You are trespassing if you cross or walk along railway tracks at any place other than a designated level crossing.

Trespassing is the leading cause of public railway fatalities in New Zealand and around the world.

In the past ten years around 160 people have died in New Zealand while trespassing on the railway corridor.

Trespassing is illegal under the Railways Act 2005.

You can be fined up to $10,000 if you are convicted of trespassing on railway tracks.

If you are hit by a train while trespassing on the rail corridor, you are unlikely to survive.

If you witness anyone trespassing on the railway or crossing where they shouldn't you should report it immediately to the Police.

tub4, Apr 21, 6:40am
Wasn't going to plant upto the track, the drains a good 3mtrs from the track and gets sprayed to keep weeds down.

trade4us2, Apr 21, 7:47am
I just thought that you should be aware how seriously the rail operators treat people being near the rails. The driver may make a complaint. So you'd better not let him see you.

treecave, Apr 21, 8:36am
wont the council come along eventually and spray or cut down your efforts.

ossieborn, Apr 21, 10:03am
Just add some wild flower mix
between self seeding and adding to it each year the council spaying will only knock them back for a little while and looks better than just grass

http://www.kingsseeds.co.nz/shop/Field+Selection/Wildflowers/Roadside+Blend-5625.html

hammer23, Apr 21, 10:32am
Just do it,do you really think council check up on every blade of grass they look after. Ask permission and all you will get is the run around because no one knows how to think outside the square.
We have done this out the back of my house on council land and we never see them.

spiritofgonzo, Apr 21, 11:31am
+1 yep, they will

tub4, May 9, 5:53pm
In the last 10 years they've not done anything along the bank, all they do is mow the top flat part so don't see why they'd start now.
The wild flowers sound nice so may try that as well. I've just been given some flax plants so in they go this afternoon.