Almost 1200 km of Shire roadsides will be slashed in the second round of roadside weed management and fire prevention works around Corangamite Shire.
Council is more than half-way through its second round of slashing and spraying along local roads.
Projects engineer Pulkit Pahwa said the first round was completed in September/October and the second began in November.
“Contractors have started the second circuit of the Shire, starting in the North and moving southward,” Mr Pahwa said. The second round is anticipated to finish before Christmas.
“Our strategic fire breaks and township fire prevention cuts are conducted by the Shire Works and Services Team.
“Progress is on track with last year, despite the wet conditions. Given the recent rainfall, we anticipate growth once the weather fines up.”
Mr Pahwa said another round of spraying would be conducted in areas where, trees, stumps, hilly terrain or steep roadside drains made slashing impossible.
“There are some roads in both the north and south which cannot be slashed,” he said.
“They will get a second round of spraying along with the spraying around road signs after Christmas. All of the intersections have either been sprayed or slashed.”
Mayor Ruth Gstrein said Council had traditionally slashed a two-metre width but last year that was doubled to four metres.
“The change was made in response to the annual Community Satisfaction Survey finding residents wanted improved clearing of our roadsides,” Cr Gstrein said.
“Last year we improved in the Community Satisfaction Survey. This year our target is to achieve better results that also get better value for money and ensure operator safety by not slashing roads on difficult terrain.”
The program includes
- 4m wide slashing: 1163 km before Christmas
- 2m Shoulder spray: approx. 500 km after Christmas
- Spraying around signs: 344 km after Christmas
