Overgrown roadside vegetation must be addressed as a matter of safety and the impending summer bushfire season approaches.
Nationals Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, said she has received a number of complaints from residents across the region calling for roadside maintenance and slashing to be undertaken.
“What we need is the Labor Government to commit to an intensive slashing and vegetation removal program across regional Victoria as a matter of urgency.
“The recent heavy rain has intensified roadside vegetation growth in the region and the overriding priority of the state government must be the protection of human life.
“Normally we would say ‘Great, it is fantastic’, but now truck drivers in prime movers cannot see oncoming traffic.
“Trees are as high as six feet tall, blocking the vision of oncoming traffic.
“Right throughout the region, roadsides are burgeoning with out-of-control and highly flammable long grass, dead wood and weed species.
“Given the forecast weather pattern for summer – fuel load reduction on our roadsides must be prioritised.”
Ms Benham said unkept roadsides act as a wick during bushfire events and deny residents a safe passage during bushfire events.
“Bushfire experts indicate that community safety is significantly improved when roadside fuel loads are reduced through slashing, burning, and weed management.
“Private property owners have a legal responsibility to keep their land cleared and fire safe, setting the precent for the act on its own directive and maintain roadsides to keep regional communities safe.
Ms Benham has urged the Minister for Roads and Roads Safety for urgent action in the roadside maintenance of regional roads.
