Weeds run rampant

By Tania Martin
YARRA Ranges Council has slammed VicRoads for its continued inaction on weeds along the shire’s roadsides.
The council at a meeting last Wednesday (27 January) called for the road authority to stand up and take responsibility for the growing problem.
Billanook Ward’s councillor Tim Heenan said it was a ‘disgrace’.
He said the gateway to the shire from Canterbury Road in Kilsyth, along Swansea Road in Montrose and Mount Evelyn and Anderson Street Lilydale had a huge problem with weeds.
Cr Heenan said the council fought hard to have VicRoads clear up the area in 2007 but it had returned to its former dilapidated state.
“It’s disgusting to see as a gateway to the shire,” he said.
Councillors Noel Cliff and Samantha Dunn also said Burwood Highway along the notorious ‘Mad Mile’ to Tecoma was also a veritable wasteland of weeds.
“That’s the best display of ivy we have had for a long time,” Cr Cliff said.
Cr Dunn said despite some action being taken in 2007, the road authority had done nothing to reduce the weeds.
She suggested that anyone who wanted to see every possible weed ‘nasty’ in the shire to take a trip up the ‘mad mile’’ near Tecoma.
“You will see the full complement up there .. .nothing ever happens,” Cr Dunn said.
“It’s a horrible welcome to the shire and I look forward to rattling the cage on this one because they (VicRoads) really need to lift their game and start doing something about the weeds.”
Ryrie Ward Cr Jeanette McRae said it was ‘absolutely appalling’.
“It really concerns me that if you are driving through the area you automatically assume it’s the shire that’s been neglecting the weeds,” she said.
“I would love to see four foot signs up there saying VicRoads is responsible with a phone number – it really makes me angry.”
Cr McRae also said the road authority should admit it needed help with the problem or give the shire the cash to undertake the work.
“My alternative solution is they put up signs so we are not wasting our resources by having to redirect people to VicRoads all the time,” she said.
Mayor Len Cox said the road authority just didn’t care.
“They don’t care what the place looks like,” he said.
The council has now sent a letter to VicRoads, local MPs and the Roads Minister demanding action.
The Mail contacted VicRoads but did not receive a response before going to print.