University of Otago department of zoology professor Gerry Closs said he had this week observed well-established broom and gorse growing through pavements in Wakari, and woody weeds growing in pavements were "not hard to find" in Dunedin.
While there was certainly scope to rewild some of the verges in Dunedin streets, when weeds were growing prolifically through pavement cracks, it was not rewilding, "it’s simply neglect," Prof Closs said.
"Whilst the council may argue that weeds grow rapidly at this time of year, the fact that woody weeds are starting to establish in pavements is clear evidence that maintenance is falling well behind what is needed to maintain our infrastructure."
Allowing weeds to grow through pavements accelerated their deterioration, widened cracks and allowed a greater infiltration of water into pavements and roads — raising maintenance costs in the long run.
He believed pavements and gutters in many Dunedin suburbs were starting to look "abandoned," and when gorse and broom shrubs were growing along city streets, perhaps they had been abandoned, Prof Closs said.
While allowing some berms to rewild made good ecological sense, allowing pavements to deteriorate was "simply neglectful" and affected both the city’s infrastructure and its sense of pride, Prof Closs said.
A Dunedin City Council spokesman said the council could not respond to a request for comment by deadline.
