General News
15 November, 2023
Concern raised for overgrown roadside
ROADSIDE slashing is set to take place after concerns were raised at the length of overgrown vegetation on a main stretch of road. A concerned resident who travels Cobden-Terang Road each day contacted Western District Newspapers to voice concerns...
ROADSIDE slashing is set to take place after concerns were raised at the length of overgrown vegetation on a main stretch of road.
A concerned resident who travels Cobden-Terang Road each day contacted Western District Newspapers to voice concerns the roadsides were more overgrown than they had seen in a decade.
The resident said they had experienced a near miss with a Kangaroo which had jumped out from the overgrown grass without warning.
Amid warning of a drier-than-usual summer creating conditions for a potentially dangerous fire period, overgrown roadside vegetation has become a growing concern.
Western Victoria MP Bev McArthur last month raised the issue in parliament, calling on Minister for Roads and Road Safety to specify when overgrown roadside vegetation in Garvoc would be addressed.
In response to questions from Western District Newspapers, Department of Transport and Planning (DPT) acting regional director (Barwon South-West) Debbie Seymour confirmed grass/vegetation
removal and pruning in this area in the coming weeks was expected over the coming weeks, including pruning approximately 21.9 kilometres of Cobden-Terang Road.
“Fire preparation is a focus all year round and each year we undertake a roadside mowing program in preparation for the fire season and to address any safety issues around sightlines,” she said.
“Our crews will be out in force delivering this work across the south west and will be completing slashing at Cobden-Terang Road over the coming weeks.
“We encourage the community to report hazards and any concerns about the condition of the arterial road network by calling 133 778.”
The DTP is responsible for maintaining approximately 23,000 kilometres of freeways and arterial roads throughout Victoria, including more than 19,000 kilometres in regional and rural parts of the state.
On average crews will mow, slash and spray around 45,000 kilometres of roadside grass and weeds each year.
A DTP spokesperson said maintenance was a critical part of the smooth running of Victoria’s road network.
“A functioning and well-maintained network supports safer and more reliable journeys for all road users,” the spokesperson said.
“We work alongside councils and emergency services to identify and remove roadside vegetation hazards as part of our maintenance program.
“In line with the Victorian Road Maintenance Plan, our crews clear vegetation up to six metres vertically between the edge of the road and the drain line.”