Overgrown vegetation along South Eastern Freeway a bushfire risk, argues Stirling resident

A Stirling man is warning of a huge fire hazard right next to the freeway – but the Country Fire Service counters that it’s manageable.

Stirling resident, Oliver Ocorfe, says he wants the State Government to act responsibly ahead of the bushfire season, by clearing vegetation along the South Eastern Freeway. Picture: Dean Martin

Concerns have been raised about bushfire risks to commuters in the Adelaide Hills with vegetation along the South Eastern Freeway reaching worrying levels, according to residents.

With just two weeks until the start of the bushfire season, Stirling resident Oliver Ocorfe has renewed his call to the State Government to clean up vegetation built up along the interstate highway.

Mr Ocorfe has been writing to the Department of Infrastructure and Transport since January this year but says his requests have been largely ignored.

That’s despite assurance by former DIT Minister Stephan Knoll in July, when he replied in a letter that “vegetation management … will be undertaken prior to the next fire season”.

Stirling resident, Oliver Ocorfe, has been writing to the State Government since January, about clearing vegetation along the SE Freeway. Picture: Dean Martin

“Unfortunately, it appears, this information wasn't passed on to current Minister Corey Wingard who, I’ve been told, knows nothing about it,” Mr Ocorfe said.

“I find that extremely worrying as the next bushfire season is just around the corner and the way it is now, it could definitely cause a firestorm.”

Mr Ocorfe said he now urged other Hills residents to call on the government to act.

“Anyone walking along the footpaths on either side of the South Eastern Freeway, between Stirling and Crafers, will observe dead pine trees, piles of dead wood, dried blackberries and other combustible weeds, which would burn fiercely in the event of a bushfire, and ignite the pine trees above them,” he said.

“Traffic on the freeway would be threatened by the heat, and it would be like driving through an oven.

“If any one vehicle caught fire it would halt other traffic, and there would be no escape for passengers leaving vehicles. Houses on either side would be lost.”

Stirling District Residents Association Public Officer John Hill said Mr Ocorfe’s efforts had the complete backing of the committee.

“Personally I think it should be part of the regional bushfire response as it really does need to be addressed.

“What we worry about is, with the freeway getting busier, what will happen if there is a fire?

“Once you’re on the freeway you can’t get off it in many places, so there’s no way to escape.”

Bill Hankin, who manages the Adelaide Hills South Eastern Freeway Users Group, said vegetation overgrowth had become a topic of discussion among many in the community.

This, he said, included long grass at entry and exit points along the freeway, which had the potential to cause fires and accidents.

“Long grass, whether green or brown is dangerous,” he said.

“If not managed, they can become a bushfire risk but also cause serious accidents.”

Hills residents are worried of potential bushfire risks along the freeway. Picture: Dean Martin

A spokesman for the state’s Country Fire Service said vegetation along the South Eastern Freeway were at manageable levels and did not pose a bushfire risk.

“We have spoken with (DTI) and I believe a contractor has been appointed to do it quarterly – so at least four times a year,” he said.

“I also believe that slashing will occur over the next two weeks.

“In terms of long grass, while it does look long in sections … we are pretty comfortable in saying that there is not long, dead grass everywhere that would carry a fire as it’s still very green.”

Both the Transport Department and Transport Minister Corey Wingard declined to comment.