Berwick residents Graeme Pinney, Leanne Calder and John Hompot want the grass on Princes Highway cut as soon as possible. Picture: Donna OatesBy Lia Bichel
BERWICK residents fear their neighbourhood could go up in flames if long grass near their house is set alight.
Graeme Pinney and Leanne Calder said grass near Ms Calder’s house on Princes Highway, between Monash Freeway and Clyde Road, has reached a dangerous height of more than a metre high.
She received Fire Ready pamphlets late last year in her mailbox which described how to prevent her property from fire.
“If this grass isn’t cut, one flick of a cigarette and it will all go up in flames,” Mr Pinney said.
Ms Calder said she has had a three year running battle with the Casey Council to regularly cut the grass but was told that the area was managed by VicRoads.
“I’ve called them numerous times, but the council tell us to ring VicRoads.
“I have called VicRoads but they still don’t do anything about it.
“I have even approached contractors and asked them to mow it correctly but they always leave the job half done.” City of Casey Manager Parks and Reserves Trevor Griffin said the section of the Princes Highway is maintained by VicRoads.
“For the sections of Princes Highway that council maintains, the grass is cut every three weeks,” Mr Griffin said.
City of Casey Manager Community Safety Caroline Bell said the City of Casey sent out more than 7000 letters to vacant property owners and properties of more than 20,000 square metres in November 2010 advising them of their responsibilities in maintaining their properties to a safe standard.
“As the local authority, the City of Casey is responsible for ensuring that the owners of private property undertake their obligations in respect to fire prevention, including maintaining grass at a safe level; however, by law, council is not able to fine state authorities such as VicRoads,” Ms Bell said.
“In this particular case, council has contacted VicRoads to remind it of its responsibilities in relation to cutting grass on properties it is responsible for.”
Mr Pinney said the section owned by Vic Roads was lucky to be cut twice a year.
Regional Director of Metro South East Region VicRoads Duncan Elliott said the grass maintenance near the service roads on that section of Princes Highway in Berwick is undertaken by VicRoads on behalf of the City of Casey.
“VicRoads priority for grass cutting is for fire safety and the safety of motorists by ensuring that sight lines are maintained,” Mr Elliott said.
“VicRoads acknowledges that some roadside areas are in need of mowing but due to the recent wet weather, grass mowing across the region has been delayed. However, VicRoads will continue to ensure the safety of road users is not compromised.
“VicRoads has arranged to start mowing of the Princes Highway in the third week of March and is expected to be finished by the end of March 2011.”
Mr Pinney and Ms Calder said they hoped the grass would be cut as soon as possible and maintained regularly there after.
