Charlotte Varcoe
CLARIFICATION around which governing body is responsible for the roadside slashing of state-owned roads is expected ahead of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport re-evaluating its bushfire risk management plan.
During the recent Grant District Council meeting, Cr Megan Dukalskis expressed concerns around potential fire danger hazards with high and dry grass continuing to grow on the side of roads.
Elected members questioned whether state-owned roads were the responsibility of DIT or council with further discussions planned.
Speaking with The Border Watch, DIT’s director of road maintenance Mick Lorenz said it was a shared responsibility between the department and council.
“We have a set of instructions to find the responsibility,” Mr Lorenz said.
“The primary purpose is to mow for road safety reasons and the department slashes a certain amount with the remainder of the corridor being the responsibility of local government.
“If the fire danger is adjacent to the road then it is the department’s responsibility and we do try and work with the local government as much as possible.”
Mr Lorenz said the department was now in the process of re-evaluating its bushfire risk management plan with more specific instructions around the local and state governing bodies responsibilities.
“The challenge with roadside slashing is that it needs to happen at the same time,” he said.
“We have 100 kilometres that need to be mowed at the same time so we need the crew mobilised and ready to go.
“Slashing has also occurred much later this year than last because of the extended wet season.”
Grant District Council acting chief executive officer Gary Button said the wet weather also resulted in faster and longer grass than previous years which has resulted in more than one slashes along sealed roads leading into various townships.
“Slashing is primarily undertaken for fire prevention and fire safety purposes but also for traffic and aesthetic purposes,” Mr Button said.
“The department is largely responsible for slashing along DIT roads and highways and our understanding is that much of DIT’s work is now contracted out.”
Despite recent concerns, Mr Button said overall the Grant Council community was generally satisfied with the slashing work undertaken by council.
“Council and members of the community have noticed that this year there is longer grass along numerous DIT roads between and around the white posts in both the Grant Council region and other parts of the region,” he said.
“Council is very mindful of the need for roadside slashing leading up to summer and has an annual program for this to be undertaken.”
In response to the department reviewing its bushfire management plan, Mr Button said it would be of benefit for the local governing body.
“Any improvements to better define and clarify the roles between DIT and Councils will always be supported and encouraged both now and into the future,” he said.
“Overall council maintains a constructive working relationship with DIT.”
