By NOEL MURPHY
VICROADS is ignoring dangerously long grass on arterial road median strips across Geelong, according to councillor Tony Ansett.
Ballarat Rd, the Bellarine Hwy, Portarlington Rd, the Princes Hwy at Waurn Ponds, and Bacchus Marsh Rd were unkempt and a potential fire risk, Cr Ansett said.
But council maintenance was keeping the roads’ flanking nature strips tidy, he said.
“VicRoads used to pay the city a fee because we would maintain the strips but then they took it away and the maintenance fell away,” Cr Ansett told the Independent.
“Where we’ll mow the road verge six or seven times a year, depending on growth, they’re doing it just according to a schedule and it’s dangerous.
“In Bacchus Marsh Rd the weeds are two feet high. It’s the same in Cox Rd.
“The City is trying to maintain the flanks and we do it quite well, also with garden beds where we’ve tried to beautify the area, but VicRoads is letting us down.”
VicRoads’ William Tieppo said median strips and roadsides were inspected and mowed on a scheduled basis.
“This year we have experienced significant rain and the onset of summer has led to an increase in grass length. As a result, VicRoads has brought forward our urban mowing program in the City of Greater Geelong from March to February,” Mr Tieppo said.
“VicRoads continues to fund local councils throughout the state to undertake roadside maintenance activities on arterial roads.“
He encouraged the public to report road hazards on 13 11 70.
