Second round of roadside slashing has started

East Gippsland Shire Council has moved to a second round of roadside slashing in preparation for the summer season, in response to continued grass growth.

General Manager Assets and Environment Fiona Weigall said Council’s six roadside slashing contractors and their teams have now commenced the second slash for risk reduction purposes.

“We have scheduled this second slashing to be completed by mid-December,” Ms Weigall said.

Council’s roadside slashing program treats about 6,000 kilometres of roadside.

The minimum requirement for many of Council’s lesser travelled roads is for one metre behind the white guidepost (slashing between the road itself and the guidepost is undertaken as part of Council’s road maintenance works). Other areas where there’s greater traffic requirements, school bus routes or strategic roads as agreed with local fire brigades slashing the road from fence to fence may be required where attainable.

The grass growth rate in parks and reserves across the shire is also far greater than in recent drought years as we experience a ‘normal’ spring. This is something most home gardeners would appreciate.

“Our crews generally work on a fortnightly rotation with their mowing schedule. This obviously has changed this season where we will get through one area then immediately move onto the next to help get on top of the growth. We do prioritise where we mow, with high visual areas taking precedence,” Ms Weigall said.

Crews are not doing extra shifts; however, some staff are mowing ovals on their rostered days off on a three-week rotation to help and staff are starting as early as possible in the morning to beat the heat and get as much work done as possible. In addition to the extra growth, Council has also needed to add additional mowing schedules to its workload, filling the void left by programs such as the Corrections program that are not currently operating due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

“The Parks and Gardens crews are prepared for the increased workload at this time of year, have all mowers operating and have knuckled down to get the work done. All credit to them,” Ms Weigall said.

Council also reminds landowners to prepare their properties for the coming fire season. Recent warm and windy days serve as a reminder that we are now in summer and that vegetation can dry out quickly.