By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
A long-standing issue with overgrown grass along Burwood Highway in Ferntree Gully is raising alarm bells for local residents and fire safety experts alike, especially as the summer fire season approaches.
A Ferntree Gully resident Bill Ireland who’s also a local volunteer firefighter, has highlighted serious concerns over the state of the grass along the highway, particularly between Forest Road and Willow Road.
The grass has not been cut for over six months and is now “bone dry,” with some areas reaching up to six feet high.
If the dense vegetation is not cleared soon, it could lead to a range of issues for both motorists and pedestrians.
Overgrown plants can obstruct visibility, making it difficult for drivers to see clearly, especially at intersections or along narrow roads – for pedestrians, the lack of maintenance could create unsafe walking conditions, with pathways becoming blocked or difficult to navigate.
“The grass is so tall it’s hiding road signs, making it difficult for people to see traffic when trying to cross the road,” Mr Ireland said.
“It’s also a safety hazard for drivers, as they can’t see pedestrians or other vehicles properly.”
One of the biggest concerns, however, is the fire risk.
With the dry conditions and the approaching fire season, the long grass could easily catch fire.
Mr Ireland has described the situation as “completely unnecessary” and a potential disaster waiting to happen.
“If a fire were to break out on this highway, it would cause huge traffic delays and put lives at risk,” he said.
“The fire brigade would be stretched thin, trying to manage a fire in such a busy area.”
The responsibility for maintaining the grass along Burwood Highway lies with VicRoads, not the local council.
He said while businesses along the highway take care of their lawns, the median strip is left neglected.
He also pointed out that VicRoads only cuts the grass twice a year, which is clearly insufficient, especially after recent rainfalls that have caused the grass to grow uncontrollably.
“There’s a real disconnect here,” Mr Ireland said.
“If a vacant block had overgrown grass, the owner would be issued a notice to clean it up – but on the highway, it’s a different story – VicRoads just doesn’t seem to take it seriously.”
The overgrowth is not only a fire hazard but also a visual obstruction.
Tourists staying at a nearby motel, for example, are faced with a view of the overgrown weeds, including piles of blackberries and other unwanted vegetation that haven’t been cleared for years.
Local residents are calling on VicRoads to take action before the situation worsens.
Mr Ferntree Gully resident said the local community has a right to feel safe and that the issue should be brought to the attention of both the public and relevant authorities.
“We need to hold VicRoads accountable,” he said.
“This is a danger to our community – if people can report hazards like pieces of metal on the road, they should also be able to report overgrown grass that could start a fire or obstruct traffic.”
A spokesperson for Knox Council said the council is concerned about the ongoing maintenance and condition of the major roads in Knox and has been calling on VicRoads to improve their maintenance.
“These concerns have also been the subject of numerous complaints from our residents and people travelling through Knox,” they said.
VicRoads is responsible for the maintenance of the following major arterial roads in Knox: Bayswater Road, Boronia Road, Brenock Park Drive, Burwood Highway, Dorset Road, Ferntree Gully Road, Forest Road (Boronia Road to Mountain Highway), High Street Road, Kelletts Road, Lysterfield Road, Mountain Highway, Napoleon Road (Kelletts Road to Lysterfield Road), Scoresby Road, Stud Road, Wantirna Road, Wellington Road.
VicRoads was also contacted for comments.
