Heavy machinery is being driven into popular parks while drivers take their breaks. Rowena Orejana speaks with one truculent resident who thinks the practice creates dangers.
Kevin Fox is a self-appointed custodian of the Onepoto Domain. From his perch on Howard Rd in Northcote, he looks down at the wide stretch of the domain, guarding it with a zealousness few can match.
Mr Fox, a pensioner, reckons he has donated 500 hours of community work in this park. "When I reduced my workload, I looked around Northcote and found it less than desirable," he says. So he rolled up his sleeves and went back to work.
The park is inviting on this sunny morning. A breeze ruffles the grass and leaves, blowing ripples on the Onepoto Stream. Toddlers run around the playground under the watchful eye of their parents.
But Mr Fox is unhappy. Someone, or something, has been invading his park. "Why does council permit garbage and big vehicles in our reserves? The vehicles in those parks are clearly hazards," he says.
He has sent a barrage of emails and letters to the Auckland Council, the New Zealand Transport Agency, Auckland Transport and the companies that own the trucks.
In February, he was promised by the council's Solid Waste Management, in a letter, that it is in the process of adopting a policy on acceptable discretionary use of contractors' vehicles.
"This guy here," he points to the letter, "he's basically saying it's not at all that acceptable and he's going to do something about it. In point of fact, he has done nothing because we've had an increased number of vehicles."
Mr Fox has photographed trucks occupying almost 10 slots on the parking lot. "Their truck doors were left open. People walking past [the] entrance to our children's playground [were] blocked off." Another time, he says, "they had their garbage trucks. It was late in the afternoon and the girls were playing lacrosse. I was offended by that".
He has taken this issue up several times with the North Shore Council but the problem persists. At least, he says, "you can lobby council and you'd get action. These guys [Auckland Council] are getting more and more remote".
Auckland Council says it was not aware of any ongoing problems with rubbish or recycling collection vehicles in the park, but will look into it. Trucks and other large vehicles are allowed "if they adhere to the usual safety precautions and any relevant rules relating to the specific reserve, including any tare limits that may be in place", says parks manager Mark Bowater.
Mr Fox says he finds it odd this is allowed in what is supposed to be "a truly international city".
Heavy load
The council says although it may not be ideal, truck drivers are not breaching any park rules or council contracts when they stop at reserves to take breaks.
Solid Waste business unit manager Jon Roscoe says the council asked contractors to draw up a policy regarding appropriate use of the park.
"It is in draft form, awaiting agreement from all of the six contractors that collect waste for council," he says.
"It is important to note that we have no contractual provisions to tell the drivers where to eat their lunch or stop to use public conveniences," adds Mr Roscoe.
Stand no truck
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