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Mulgrave MP calls for more frequent lawn mowing on cairns roundabouts to improve safety

Terry James has used an ear with Transport and Main Roads director general to complain about the “absolutely ridiculous” lawn mowing frequency of northern beach roundabouts.

Mulgrave MP calls for more frequent lawn mowing on cairns roundabouts to improve safety. Picture: Liam Kidston.
Mulgrave MP calls for more frequent lawn mowing on cairns roundabouts to improve safety. Picture: Liam Kidston.

The new Mulgrave MP has asked the Transport and Main Roads director general to mow lawns growing on Cairns roundabouts, more often.

Terry James used an ear with Transport and Main Roads director general Sally Stannard to complain about the “absolutely ridiculous” lawn mowing frequency surrounding state-controlled road corridors at a State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee Q&A on Wednesday.

While other questions focused on flood recovery, the Barron River bridge and budget blowouts on Far Northern infrastructure projects Mr James demanded TMR workers cut the grass more often.

Mulgrave MP Terry James.
Mulgrave MP Terry James.

“I come from regional Queensland up in Cairns and sometimes we feel a little bit neglected up (in Cairns) because of the distance, one thing that you could do to make a difference is … just the frequency of the mowing like we watch the grass grow in front of our eyes with the humidity and the rain we get,” he said.

“The roundabouts in the northern beaches and around Cairns the grass grows taller than me and you can’t see across that roundabout, in your deliberations could the frequency of mowing be looked at?

“They only mow once every three months, which is absolutely ridiculous, the frequency needs to be looked at.”

The Kewarra Beach roundabout on the Captain Cook Highway. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE
The Kewarra Beach roundabout on the Captain Cook Highway. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Transport and Main Roads director general Sally Stannard responded to Mr James’ comment.

“I acknowledge your point about how often it takes to mow at the moment, we are feeling that in southeast Queensland as well,” she said.

“Certainly your operational maintenance at the edge of the network is a priority for us and in any location where we can identify a safety matter we would look to address that straight away.

“I thank you for raising the topic. It’s certainly one our operational metrics of maintenance is one we are examining at the moment to determine if we have enough budget to do the right things that are needed across a growing network.

“We will take on board your feedback about safety around the road network.”

peter.carruthers@news.com.au

Originally published as Mulgrave MP calls for more frequent lawn mowing on cairns roundabouts to improve safety

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/cairns/mulgrave-mp-calls-for-more-frequent-lawn-mowing-on-cairns-roundabouts-to-improve-safety/news-story/03dbc3b38b8e8f94a72dd9820e53ec72