By KATRINA BRANDON
COMING up to summer, the CFA has been advising the public to clean up their local areas for flammable vegetation, but on Tyers Road, a local resident has raised concerns about a government-owned area that has been neglected.
Blackberry infestations densely inhabit the vegetation and are almost two metres high. A neighbour of the government-owned land, Allan Stewart, said that the tall grass brings many risks, such as fuel for summer fires, snakes and it reduces visibility for drivers going past.
Mr Stewart has lived on the Tyers Road property for about 15 years and said that during that time, the grass was only cut four times, late into the fire season. Throughout the years, he has contacted VicRoads to cut the grass, almost on an annual basis, before the season starts.
He told the Express: “I send an email annually to VicRoads (or Regional Roads Victoria before it was recently closed down), explaining my concerns, but simply receive a generic response from their Melbourne office stating that they do not cut more than a mower width each side of the roads”.
“The grass on each side of the nearby Tyers to Glengarry road is cut about November each year, all the way back to the fence line, which in most parts is wider than the area I want them to cut,” he said.
“The roadside grass was recently cut along each side of the road for the distance of a single mower width, but nothing more. Visibility for road users would be vastly improved around the bend in the road if the grass was cut back, as I have requested.
“If the grass were to be cut each year, I would be willing to spray myself with the regrowth of blackberries, which have not been sprayed for many years.”
After many years of frustration, Mr Stewart contacted the Shadow Assistant Minister for Public Land Use and Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath, and the Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, sharing his concerns.
“On behalf of locals, concerned about the lack of roadside maintenance, I have written to the Minister for Roads, only to have their valid concerns dismissed,” Ms Bath said.
“There is no greater threat to our environment and properties than out-of-control bushfire, fuelled by the infestation of weeds like blackberries.
“For Labor to allow weeds to grow rampantly next to homes, roads, farmland, and a popular wildlife area is disgraceful.
“The Nationals are demanding Labor implement an intensive slashing and weed removal program on the Tyers Road. Labor’s inaction is irresponsible.”
Looking further into the roadside management’s responsibility, Ms Bath and Mr Cameron found that the “standard” cut width extends up to three metres on either side of the road where accessible.
The Express contacted Transport Victoria for a comment.
“Roadside vegetation management is an important part of keeping our roads safe for all users and managing bushfire risks,” the statement read.
“We plan and deliver a work program to ensure roadside safety. This includes ensuring vegetation doesn’t block drivers’ views and reducing fuels along roadsides in preparation for the fire season.
“The timing of grass cutting differs yearly based on rainfall, temperature, spring growth, and emergency service advice.
“Transport Victoria (TV) works closely with emergency services, including the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Victoria Police, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), and local councils, to coordinate and prioritise vegetation management efforts in the highest-risk areas, including Tyers Road.
“Transport Victoria recognises the importance of vegetation management for residents and motorists using the road network.
“Transport Victoria is responsible for maintaining 22,000km of roads across regional Victoria. Under the Road Management Act, the Department is responsible for vegetation management, drainage, roadside infrastructure, structures, traffic signals, litter collection, road surface maintenance, and graffiti removal.
“If you want to report concerns about fallen trees, roadside grass blocking your line of sight, or other roadside hazards, contact our 24-hour Traffic Management hotline at 13 11 70.”
