Council all cut up over the weeds

YARRA Ranges Council has slammed VicRoads for its continued failure to reduce weeds along the shire’s road sides.
At a meeting last month (27 January) councillors called for the road authority to stand up and take responsibility for the growing problem.
Billanook Ward councillor Tim Heenan said it was a ‘disgrace’.
He said the route 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 overgrown state.
“It’s disgusting to see it 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 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 maintain the weeds.
She suggested that anyone who wanted to see every possible weed ‘nasty’ in the shire could visit the area.
“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.”
The council has now sent a letter to VicRoads, local MPs and to the Roads Minister demanding action.
But VicRoads south east regional director Duncan Elliott said VicRoads was working with fire authorities to identify high risk areas in need of tree trimming and clearing during the fire season.
He said over the past three months the road authority had been actively working to clear roadsides in high risk areas to reduce grass height, collect fallen debris and remove dead trees that may fall or impact traffic.
“Parts of the Yarra Ranges have been identified as high risk and consequently works have occurred on strategic access roads,” Mr Elliott said.
“We are committed to keeping the state’s road reserves clean and tidy.”