Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) English French German Greek Hindi Indonesian Italian Japanese Korean Malay Spanish Vietnamese Print Resident shames Government department to cut the grass By Stephen BlairThe Department of Transport has started cutting grass on the median strips on Beach Road and Beaconsfield Parade because of me cutting grass in the media strip along Beach Road and Beaconsfield Parade. I had asked the City of Port Phillip to cut the grass, but they told me it was not their responsibility. So, I decided to cut the grass myself which attracted the attention of the media. Tom Elliot on 3AW radio interviewed Mayor Marcus Pearl about the unsatisfactory condition of many of Port Phillip’s key roads and boulevards by DOT. Listen herehttps://www.facebook.com/CrMarcusPearl/videos/1193195831266924Mayor Pearl said the maintenance of major Boulevards such as Beach Road, Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda Road, and Nepean Highway is the responsibility of DOT The latest VicRoads contractors are SO SLOW mowing the median strips! According to Mayor Pearl the Council had been maintaining the median strips until the beginning of this year but had stopped because it was costing ratepayer $350,000 per year when the Vic Gov had shifted to cost to Council. I had hoped my shaming the authorities into action would result in a better response. It took DoT a week to do Beaconsfield Parade from Port Melbourne Station Pier, starting at the “easiest” spot and mowed 4 times by me to Fitzroy Street. I did it in in 3 days, by myself. There were 8 to 10 of them!I had another look today (Friday 11 November). I’m going to have to do Bay Street and Williamstown Road myself again, this weekend if the weather holds up. I have avoided Brighton Road, right in front of the St Kilda Town Hall - the Kremlin of Port Phillip.I can’t believe 800 employees and executives who work at the Town Hall have done nothing to have the grass on the Brighton Road media strip maintained. I accept that it is DOT’s responsibility to maintain Brighton Road but it’s disappointing that the local environment is neglected when Council officers walk and drive past the long grass every day. I couldn’t stand it any longer up this end, which prompted me into action. Note I have almost given up trying to influence Council’s excessive rates and budget spending which can only be described as ill-informed profligacy. I’m hoping Mayor Heather Cunsolo is a new broom, breath of fresh air. I wish her well.
