Park’s Victoria says grass too ‘green’ to cut at Yarra Flats Reserve

Overgrown grassland in an Ivanhoe East parkland where a blaze burnt through a decade ago is a fire threat, neighbours worried about a repeat incident say — and the MFB agrees. But Parks Victoria says there’s a reason it can’t be mowed.

Ros Black, Rose Ann Cary, John Cary and Ned, 5, at Yarra Flats Reserve. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Ivanhoe residents fear overgrown grasslands at Yarra Flats is a fire risk.

But the government body responsible for maintaining it says its too “green” to warrant cutting.

Friends of Yarra Flat Park president Andrew Lees said the mowing of grass at the Ivanhoe East park had significantly reduced in the past few years by Parks Victoria.

As a result much of it was now overgrown.

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The overgrown grassland is less than 100m from residential properties and Mr Lees said a fired had blazed through the flats in 2009.

“The only grass that is mown in the park is around the carpark and a narrow strip about 2m either side of the main Yarra trail, the rest you could get lost in,” he said.

“I contacted Parks Victoria before last summer and indicated local residents were worried about the fire risk,” Mr Lees said.

“The grass in the park is presently still largely unmown and if last summer is any guide, it will remain that way this summer.”

Fires have blazed through the grasslands already in 2009. Picture: George Salpigtidis

The MFB identifies Yarra Flats as an area of risk on its website, along with Ivanhoe’s Rockbeare Park.

MFB community resilience acting deputy chief officer Adam Dalrympe said residents in urban areas need to be vigilant and understand their grassfire risk.

“Fires at parks, open grassland, paddocks or bush are a risk to people that live or work near them,” Mr Dalrymple said.

But Parks Victoria area chief ranger Brendan Sullivan said much of the grassland was too moist to warrant slashing, which occurred when grass was 60 per cent cured.

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“Currently the grass in Yarra Flats Reserve is still green and carries considerable moisture, making it less flammable,” Mr Sullivan said.

“Parks Victoria undertakes annual slashing within Yarra Flats Reserve to reduce fuel loads with 33 hectares slashed annually along The Boulevard to offer protection to local residents.”

The MFB has online resources to help residents prepare their home to reduce fire risks.

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