Fears overgrown Knox median strips could be fire hazard
Grass has been left to grow up to 1m across key median strips in Knox, leaving the area looking “disgusting” and sparking fears the overgrown areas are a fire risk.
Outer East
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Overgrown median strips have left major roads in Knox looking “disgusting” and could be a fire hazard, according to a Ferntree Gully man.
Lou Scapin said he had contacted VicRoads to express his disgust about the state of the median strips on Burwood Highway and Boronia Rd, where grass has been left to grow up to 1m.
Mr Scapin said his wife had also phoned Knox Council to ask for its help to get the median strips mown, but was told it was outside the council’s jurisdiction.
“We think that’s really poor by VicRoads and also Knox Council on not chasing up VicRoads on the issue,” Mr Scapin said.
“Just the state of (the median strips); we pay our rates, we pay our car registration and they don’t maintain it.
“Council should be concerned with the aesthetic of the municipality they represent.”
He said the long grass had the potential to restrict views for drivers, and could also be a fire risk, if someone flicked a cigarette out a window.
He said in some places the grass had reached heights of 1m.
“We were driving up Boronia Rd from the Dorset Rd end towards Wantirna and it was just disgusting,” Mr Scapin said.
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Department of Transport spokeswoman Lauren Hilbert said its roadside mowing program was underway and it was working its way across the region.
She said the department was starting the program now to ensure it was on top of the spring growth ahead of the fire danger period.
Knox Council engineering and infrastructure director Ian Bell said the council understood the importance of maintaining Knox’s roads for safety and aesthetic purposes.
Dr Bell said for arterial roads throughout Knox, such as Boronia Rd and Burwood Highway, VicRoads was responsible for all general operation and maintenance.