Residents call for mowing and weed control on road

Roadside reserves in the Lardners Trk and Burke St, Warragul area have been described as a disgrace and a dangerous fire hazard by residents.

Residents have been calling out for mowing and weed control works but feel the area is being neglected because it falls in “no man’s land” amongst responsible authorities.

Megan Major, a member of the Warragul Urban Landcare Group is frustrated the area continues to miss out on works.

“Burke St is a main entry into Warragul and it’s not maintained by the shire.  

“It’s a huge area and there is long grass, ragwort, blackberries, thistles, agapanthus, ivy, foxes and rabbits,” she said.

Baw Baw Shire recently announced almost $50,000 from the state government’s Roadside Weeds and Pest Program would be used to spray more than 440 kilometres of local roadsides this season.

But, Ms Major said, the Burke St and Lardners Trk areas failed to make the list - again.

However, Baw Baw Shire has confirmed Burke St will be now included in the program.

Ms Major said she wanted the fire hazard reduced for local residents; noxious weeds and pests controlled; and, consultation with local indigenous people about land management for this area.

She has had several discussions with Vic Roads and shire staff but feels like she is getting nowhere.

“My concerns go back nearly four years when I discovered evidence of a campfire and possible rough sleeping at the end of an old access road that starts near Lardner’s Trk.

While shire staff have assisted and listened, she said the problems remains unresolved.

Ms Major said in September 2019 an onsite meeting between Landcare members, Vic Roads and shire officers determined the area was not a fire hazard and there was a formula for calculating fuel and weed load.

She said authorities explained indigenous vegetation could not be cut down.

Ms Major said the biggest problem was the area was “no man’s land” – the shire is responsible for the area along Burke St and Vic Roads is responsible for its section adjacent to the freeway.

“If it was just the roadside you would do it yourself.

“There is a big fire load in the area and it’s full of noxious weeds,” she said.

Shire community infrastructure director Cohen Van der Velde said after an assessment of Burk St earlier this month, it would be now included in the roadside weed spraying program.

He said sections of Lardner’s Trk were scheduled to be sprayed for invasive weeds this season under council’s annual roadside spraying program.

“Council contractors are covering large areas and all spraying is weather dependent.  

“Council’s rural roadsides are slashed twice per year. Lardner’s Trk and the rural section of Burke St are generally cut in November and February. 

“This annual program cuts 1.5 metres from the guideposts to improve road safety by ensuring adequate sight distance along the roadside and at intersections,” he said.

Mr Van der Velde said maintenance of the roadside between Burke St and the Princes Fwy was the responsibility of Regional Roads Victoria.