Council takes action on unsightly Bass Highway

Published on 09 December 2020

At its November meeting, Burnie City Council voted unanimously to have discussions with the Department of State Growth requesting that Council take control of all the grass and weeds management on the Bass Highway from Stowport intersection to Fidler Street, Cooee.

The idea, bought to Council by Councillor Alvwyn Boyd, was in response to the marked decrease in attention to the amenity of the highway corridor through Burnie, “we have the traffic lights, islands and intersections which are extremely poorly maintained“ said Councillor Boyd in his motion on notice.

Burnie City Council Mayor Steve Kons said “The Bass Highway is under the control of the State Government, with a long term maintenance contract arrangement in place with DM Roads. Perhaps this motion is a wake-up call to the State Government that we are serious about getting the maintenance standard back on track.

“The highway traverses through our City, rather than on the outskirts like other towns on the coast, it is important that the highway looks as good as the Council maintained areas in the municipality.”

Discussion with DM Roads, the State Government contractor tasked with the maintenance of the Bass Highway which includes grass cutting, weed spraying, cleaning of debris on traffic islands and street sweeping, indicated that resources have been directed to on-road maintenance activities that have been a higher priority from a road safety perspective.

Council has made contact with the State Government and is awaiting a response.