OVERGROWN roadside vegetation must be addressed as a matter of safety as the summer bushfire season approaches, according to Member for Mildura Jade Benham.
The Nationals MP said she had received a number of complaints from residents calling for roadside maintenance and slashing to be undertaken.
“What we need is the Labor government to commit to an intensive slashing and vegetation removal program across regional Victoria as a matter of urgency,” Ms Benham said.
“The recent heavy rain has intensified roadside vegetation growth in the region and the overriding priority of the State Government must be the protection of human life.
“Right throughout the region, roadsides are burgeoning with out-of-control and highly flammable long grass, dead wood and weed species.
“Given the forecast weather pattern for summer – fuel-load reduction on our roadsides must be prioritised.”
Ms Benham said unkept roadsides acted as a wick during bushfire events and denied residents a safe passage during bushfire events.
“Bushfire experts indicate that community safety is significantly improved when roadside fuel loads are reduced through slashing, burning, and weed management,” she said.
“Private property owners have a legal responsibility to keep their land cleared and fire safe, setting the precedent for the government act on its own directive and maintain roadsides to keep regional communities safe.”
Ms Benham has urged the Minister for Roads and Roads Safety, Melissa Horne, for urgent action in the roadside maintenance of regional roads.
The minister didn’t respond to questions before deadline.
The government said last year it was spending $11.5 million over four years on the Weeds and Pests Control Program, aiming to provide greater protections for agriculture, roads and the environment.
