Liam McNally
The performance of Melton’s parks asset maintenance contractor will be reviewed by council, following community concerns about grass in public area being too long.
Council awarded the parks asset maintenance contract to Green Life Group in July. Since then, Green Life Group has been responsible for maintaining 1366 hectares of open space in the municipality.
Recently, there has been public outcry in Melton over open spaces not being maintained.
Last week Star Weekly reported that Melton South resident Mouhammad Cheaibhas turned to mowing Settlers Creek Park himself so that his son would have a safe place to play.
At a council meeting on Monday, November 14, councillor Steve Abboushi called for council to review the contract awarded to Green Life Group.
Cr Abboushi said park maintenance has been “the single biggest issue” for the municipality.
“As an individual councillor I’ve logged around 60-70 customer action requests about the overgrown grass alone,” he said.
“I also understand many of my fellow councillors have experienced the same level of complaints in relation to overgrown grass, the lack of mowing through the municipality is simply not good enough. Our residents deserve better.”
Cr Kathy Majdlik said she had also received a number of calls from residents on the matter.
“It’s a matter of safety and a matter of visual amenity for our residents and they do deserve some answers and they deserve action as well,” she said.
Previously, council said high overnight temperatures and wet weather had combined to create ideal conditions for grass to grow faster.
Updates of areas recently mowed and planned for mowing, can be viewed on the council website, where residents can also report areas of concern.
