Grass ’verging on ridiculous’

LIMITED VicRoads maintenance of median strips and roundabouts is creating dangerous driving conditions around Geelong, according to a councillor.
Tony Ansett said grass and weeds up to a metre high were a hazard, especially at corners where they obscured oncoming traffic.
Motorists were complaining to council in the mistaken belief it was responsible for the weeds, he said.
Council previously had a contract to provide VicRoads with maintenance services but the arrangement had lapsed.
Cr Ansett called for a new agreement.
“If the city had the contract we would have mowed more often.
“VicRoads has a mowing regime of three times a year but they’ve let it go and, with the recent Sun and rain, the grass and weeds have taken off.
“Everyone assumes it’s the City’s fault and we get belted with phone calls to the call centre criticising us for sending out mowing notices for fire prevention but not mowing our own areas.
“I’ve tried and tried to get on to VicRoads with no success. I’d be keen to win that contract back.”
Cr Ansett was aware VicRoads had suffered maintenance budget cuts but said safety considerations outweighed funding pressures.
VicRoads acting regional director Tony Hedley said the organisation contacted Cr Ansett to discuss his concerns on November 30.
“Since this discussion mowing has been carried out on urban roads throughout the northern suburbs and on Barwon Heads Rd, Midland and Hamilton Hwys, Pioneer Rd, Barrabool Rd and South Valley Rd.
“Works crews are currently mowing the Princes Fwy and Surfcoast Hwy and will progress to Settlement Rd/Latrobe Tce, Geelong-Portarlington Rd and Bellarine Hwy later this week.
“Mowing will then be undertaken on Geelong Ring Road, which will complete the local program.”
Mr Hedley said VicRoads’ priority was preventing vegetation from becomeing a hazard to motorists and to maintain visibility.
“Grass cuts are generally undertaken on Geelong’s arterial roads three to four times a year, with one cut traditionally scheduled for November-December as part of VicRoads’ fire prevention works and coincide with the influx of tourists.”