DRIVERS using rural roads across the region are being urged to take extra care as roadside slashing and weed-spraying programs ramp up ahead of the peak fire-risk period.
Last week, crews were out along Wallan-Whittlesea Road undertaking extensive vegetation management, including the spraying of invasive blackberry and gorse and the slashing of long grass and overgrowth. The works form part of the Victorian Government’s ongoing Roadside Weeds and Pests Program, which provides funding to councils to tackle high-risk weeds and improve safety on rural roadsides.
Motorists travelling through the area may notice reduced visibility on some sections where vegetation has been cut back, as well as roadside machinery operating along shoulders. Drivers are advised to slow down, follow temporary traffic directions, and be prepared for workers and equipment close to the road edge.
Blackberry and gorse remain two of the most aggressive invasive plants impacting local landscapes, degrading farmland, overrunning native vegetation and contributing to higher fire danger. Their treatment is a key focus of current weed-control operations across the Mitchell and Whittlesea municipalities.
Authorities say the roadside works are essential to protecting both the environment and the travelling public.
“These programs reduce fuel loads, stop the spread of noxious weeds, and make our road network safer. We ask motorists to stay alert, especially where crews have been active in recent days,” a spokesperson said.
Residents and drivers are encouraged to report any roadside hazards, including fallen debris or visibility issues following slashing, to their local council or the relevant road authority.
Further weed-control and roadside-maintenance activities are expected to continue throughout the summer period.