Mosman Council is laying grass on a nature strip covered in tree roots, leaving a resident unimpressed

A RESIDENT says Mosman Council’s previous two attempts to lay grass on a nature strip full of tree roots failed, but the council is persevering with laying grass a third time.

Raglan St resident Chris De Gray is upset with Mosman Council laying grass on a nature strip where he says it has died twice before. Picture: Annika Enderborg

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A MOSMAN resident has slammed what he calls “council waste” over a doomed attempt to grow grass on a nature strip bulging with tree roots.

Chris De Gray, of Raglan St, said he found out by chance earlier this month that Mosman Council planned to lay grass outside the block of units where he lived.

Mr De Gray has lived in the street for almost 13 years.

“There was no formal notification of grass to be laid on verges,” he said.

“It just so happened that I was leaving my premises on Saturday, March 11 about 10am and noticed the garden maintenance contractors further up the road laying grass on that verge.

“Then they came down and parked out front here and commenced throwing some top soil over the area.

“I asked them what they were doing and they explained — whereupon I contacted the on-duty council ranger to attend and mediate a delay to the laying of the grass.

“The council returned on the Monday to try and reason a more suitable outcome given the history of that particular verge.”

Raglan St resident Chris De Gray next to the nature strip. Picture: Annika Enderborg

Mr De Gray said ratepayers’ money would be wasted with another grass-laying attempt.

“The council is hell bent on laying grass for a third time over a bunch of massive and raised tree roots at ratepayers’ expense,” he said.

“Over the years, they have tried to plant grass there against my suggestions.

“Because of the root system and dead topsoil, it has only just died off and eventually washed away.

“The council is wasting my money, as a ratepayer, when the past two grass-laying attempts over the years have failed.

“The council is not listening or being reasonable.

“In this climate of council amalgamations, it’s little wonder why residents become cynical towards the very people who are meant to be managing our finances in such a way as to minimise waste.”

But a council spokeswoman said the council had “no record” of turf having been previously laid.

“Previous efforts to mulch the area have been unsuccessful due to the substantial water flow over the verge which resulted in significant washout and, if done again, could result in mulch washing down stormwater drains,” she said.

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“The council has considered the requests of the resident regarding the management of the council’s assets, however, in this case the council has taken the advice of its specialists who have experience in landscaping and planting.

“The additional works will reduce the potential for erosion.

“The works involve increasing the soil depth by laying more soil on the nature strip to enable the new grass to establish.

“The council has received about six phone calls and an email supporting the works from nearby residents, including from the block in question.”

The council’s spokeswoman said the chosen species of turf established even in shady areas.

“The turf which was recently installed on neighbouring verges has benefited from the recent optimal weather conditions and quickly established,” she said.

“The costs of the works is minor and forms part of the council’s larger streetscape works.”

The council aims to finish laying the grass this week, weather permitting.

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