Whittlesea ratepayers mow council land as complaints stack up
Ratepayers across Whittlesea have become so sick of poorly maintained parks and gardens that they are now mowing the council land on their own. They say it's the only way to stop snakes and reduce fire risks.
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Homeowners are mowing “ill-maintained” council land themselves as complaints about overgrown parks and gardens across Whittlesea continue to fall on deaf ears.
Silvana Ruvceski said the grass along Mirrabucca Promenade in South Morang was “so bad” last week her husband mowed it for “fear of snakes” and grass fires.
“I am really wondering what my rates money is being spent on,” she said.
“I’ve lived 17 years here and the parks are a disgrace considering the amount we pay in rates.”
Another South Morang homeowner Judith Wakefield lived opposite Red Oaks Park and said the land had been in a “disgraceful” state since last year.
“There are prickly weeds growing through the towering grass, we’ve seen snakes throughout the summer and the neighbours have had water rats,” she said.
“Even the duck poo in the pergola is a slipping and health hazard and just been sitting there for weeks — we’ve been putting in complaints, but nothing.
“We’ve never seen the park like this before and everyone knows it — people won’t even walk through it.”
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The recent incidents follow a rampant stream of complaints from ratepayers about the council’s maintenance of its parks and gardens.
In November, Cr Norm Kelly told Leader the council’s new contractor GreenLife Group (GLG) did not have enough mowers for the job.
Whittlesea Council has been contacted for comment.