Shire of Waroona stuck on free verge mowing with growing fire concerns fueling confusion

A South West shire is unsure how to proceed after discontinuing free verge mowing at the start of the year, as the growing risk of fires complicates the decision.

In December, the Shire of Waroona opted to discontinue its verge mowing service in order to reduce the costs to ratepayers.

The decision was not made permanent however and residents had the opportunity for public consultation.

The residents of Lake Clifton in particular wanted the mowing to continue out of an increased bushfire risk that could come from the lack of verge mowing.

In submissions to the shire, the Lake Clifton-Herron Residents Association and the Lake Clifton Volunteer Bushfire Brigade said they were opposed to the shire stopping verge mowing.

“If this policy is adopted through the shire the fire risk will be increased substantially,” the submission said.

It continued to state the verges were often very dense with high weeds that are a fire risk through discarded cigarettes and other risks.

“The fire in 2011 that destroyed 10 houses in Lake Clifton was started by a blown tyre on the Forrest Highway,” the submission said.

With people regularly driving irresponsibly throughout the area, they argue this could easily happen again.

Shire documentation states that because blocks in Lake Clifton require firebreaks it would be appropriate to communicate to Lake Clifton residents that they should also manage their verge when undertaking firebreak maintenance.

The council also suggested the possibility of implementing a special area rate for Lake Clifton to offset the financial cost of providing this service to the area.

The shire hopes the funds and manpower saved by stopping free verge mowing could be better spent enhancing and improving the newly-opened Railside Park.

The council held off from making any further decisions on the matter and will likely pick up the issue at this month’s council meeting.