$26,000 Garden Replaces $8,000 Rock Garden Amid Backlash

Auckland transport officials have replaced an $8,000 rock garden with a newly landscaped area costing $26,000, following local criticism that the previous installation was unsafe and unappealing. According to reporting by the NZ Herald, the steep cost increase and aesthetic overhaul stem from community complaints regarding the older rock formation’s deteriorating condition.

Comparing the Rock Garden and the New Landscape Project

The previous rock garden cost roughly $8,000 to install, but it quickly fell apart over time. According to the NZ Herald, locals criticized the older feature as looking “ugly as,” prompting transport authorities to rethink the site.

In response to safety concerns and public pushback over the appearance, authorities commissioned a complete redesign. The replacement landscaped project carried a total price tag of $26,000, more than triple the original expenditure.

Public Reaction and Safety Concerns

Local feedback centered heavily on both the visual state of the roadside feature and potential safety hazards as the structure degraded. According to the NZ Herald, the deteriorating rocks sparked worries among residents before transport management decided to fund the higher-cost replacement.