Red tape holds up removal of roadside vegetation debris
5 June 2020
Peninsula SES members from Sorrento and Hastings are the volunteers who answer the urgent call to clear fallen trees from our road network.
Road blocks caused by ageing trees toppling over or trees coming down in severe storm conditions are a regular occurrence in hinterland areas.
Once the road is cleared, chain-sawn vegetation is usually left piled up and marked with orange or red tape for council services to return and remove.
Or do they?
A build-up of roadside debris waiting for attention is becoming increasingly evident in areas of Red Hill and Main Ridge.
After complaints to the Mornington Peninsula Shire (MPS) in November 2019, contractors cleaned up some problem sites, but there still remain a number of patches in Shands Road, Browns Road and the Mornington-Flinders Road (corner Tucks Road).
Management of roads is the responsibility of the local shire and state roads authority. It is also understood a bipartisan approach from both parties ensure roadside clearances are carried out in a timely manner and to a reasonable standard.
Above: Taped up debris waiting to be removed
The MPS website advises:
“the Shire undertakes fire management works in our bushland, foreshore and road reserves. Fire management works aim to reduce fuel hazard and risk to neighbouring properties from potential bushfire. Fire management works typically consist of slashing, removing or trimming vegetation to reduce connectivity between shrubs an trees, and removing fallen, dead branches….”
Above: Roadside debris has since been removed following complaints to council last November
With each cycle of the summer season we also face a fire season. And tinder dry debris is the dangerous fuel hazard nobody likes to see left on the side of the road.