Queenstown Lakes District Council communications and marketing adviser Sam White said the Wanaka office had received complaints about the removal of the roses that had been a feature of the roundabout and, for many, a landmark as drivers entered the town. Mr White said some complainants had wanted the roses to remain but "they had a fungal disease which precluded the possibility of pruning in the first instance".
There was also an issue with the previous beds of carpet roses which had grown too high and caused a safety issue, he said.
"The traffic flow on the roundabout has increased markedly over the past few years and the safety of our team maintaining the gardens is a priority."
Mr White confirmed replanting came about partly because of feedback from the public via Council’s Request for Service (RFS) facility. The new plants on the roundabout were astelia, lavender, erica, bergenia, sedum and nandina. They were chosen because they fitted with existing planting on the nearby Brownston St roundabout, were low-maintenance and would not grow high enough to obscure drivers’ vision, Mr White said.
Residents could expect the team to monitor the planting monthly for weeds with some cutting back once a year, he said.