General News
17 November, 2022
Residents raise grass management concerns with council
Known for its cycling and walking tracks, Maryborough’s velodrome is now home to blades of uncut grass — keeping local residents away. With snake season and the Fire Danger Period on the horizon, community members have been urging the Central...
Known for its cycling and walking tracks, Maryborough’s velodrome is now home to blades of uncut grass — keeping local residents away.
With snake season and the Fire Danger Period on the horizon, community members have been urging the Central Goldfields Shire Council to take steps towards mitigating unkempt spaces.
“I’ve been going down to the velodrome for probably about two to three years. There are several people who meet down there and we walk in and around it so we’re always conscious of the length of grass,” local resident Annette Strain said.
“Now it’s gotten to the stage where we think if there’s a snake in there, you wouldn’t see it. Earlier when the grass needed cutting, someone from the group would send a message to the council and they’d follow through.
“Then for some unknown reason, we just couldn’t get the attention of the council to cut the grass anymore.”
Ms Strain has unsuccessfully spent the last couple of months trying to get in touch with relevant representatives. She also reached out to the shire’s six councillors, receiving a response from only one who said weather conditions were to blame.
Victoria has experienced one of the wettest years on record and this has made it difficult to mow roadsides and reserves, according to the council.
“The saturated ground conditions have not allowed mowers and slashing equipment to access many locations including the velodrome,” Central Goldfields Shire manager operations Alan Jones said.
“Sustained warmer weather will be necessary for mowing activities to return and bring the growth back to manageable levels.
“Council has plans in place to hit areas hard when weather conditions become more favourable including a fast tracked mowing and slashing program utilising internal and external contractor crews.”
Multiple local councils across the state have also experienced the same problem. However, Ms Strain remains unconvinced.
“I understand what they’re saying right now because it’s soaking wet with big pools of water. But there have been previous opportunities where if something had been done or the schedule had been maintained, we wouldn’t have ended up the way we are today,” she said.
“It’s also about the fact that we have to continually ask and request for it. If it’s regularly cut, it wouldn’t be a problem.
“The velodrome should be a draw card for the town. It shouldn’t be something people are ashamed of.”
Ms Strain alleged the grass hasn’t been cut since February, and while the council has said all public reserves and townships are on a regular program, they have not released further details.
The matter also extends beyond Maryborough — with Carisbrook resident and fire brigade captain Ian Boucher raising similar complaints.
Mr Boucher said the town’s Neighbourhood Safer Place at Market Reserve is overcome with grass, with recent snake sightings.
“A lot of people are concerned because it’s a safer place, which was designated by the shire for people to go in the case of an emergency, like a bushfire,” he said.
“People are just too scared to go in there at the moment, because of the height of the grass. It hasn’t been maintained.
“It’s not usable at the moment and it’s just an eyesore.”
But steps are being taken to remedy the situation according to the council’s Mr Jones.
“Council has engaged contractors and are working to bring this task back to a manageable level,” he said.
“The appearance of public spaces is one of council’s highest performing areas in the most recent Community Satisfaction Survey.”
