Zoe Moffatt
Frustration at overgrown vegetation along Post Office Creek is mounting, with both Macedon Ranges council and Powercor batting away responsibility in what has been compared to a ‘tennis match’.
Kyneton residents have voiced their frustration, saying they want more action to minimise the fire and snake risk, while beautifying the area.
Local resident Cheryl Rae has lived in the Macedon Ranges for 30 years, and said she inquired about the removal of vegetation on Wedge Street near Post Office Creek at the start of September.
“On the left hand side of the creek the trees had been trimmed with the leaves and branches left there and the grass overgrown, but the right side is quite manicured,” she said.
“I sent a complaint to council and they got in contact with Powercor, and then Powercor emailed me and said it was council’s responsibility.
“It’s been like a ping pong between council and Powercor. It’s a bit like watching a tennis match, someone should take responsibility, it’s not a hard question.”
Ms Rae, who has since reached out to environment group, Friends of Post Office Creek, to help remove the vegetation, said it seems incredibly negligent.
“I don’t feel like it’s my responsibility, but you live in this beautiful part of the world and there’s this eyesore and hazard and it seems very straightforward to clean it up.
“It’s one of the most beautiful streets in Kyneton, people come here to use the oval, the bmx bike track.
“It’s a fire hazard, it looks awful… [and] I can imagine there’s quite a few snakes in the grass.
“I worry about kids being over there using the facilities, and this environment is just perfect for snakes.”
Fellow Kyneton resident Gwen Egan said her main concerns are flooding, snakes and fire risk. She said her husband also rang council and Powercor about it.
“It’s so overgrown all around there, it’s a mess. Branches are in the creek and causing rubbish to get stuck and build up behind it,” she said.
“My husband rang Powercor, they said it was a council issue. Then he rang the council and the council said it was a Powercor issue.
“If we get a big downpour it’s going to flood, I’m just worried about the snakes and the fact that nobody mows around there except some of the residents.”
Lindy Priest is another nearby resident and said the sections which look good are due to nearby residents cleaning it up themselves.
“Where it has been beautified has been by a few residents whose properties abut either side,” Ms Priest said.
“It needs to be seen as a priority by council [and] as a great community asset which is totally unvalued. It certainly could also be a fire hazard, [and] a snake risk.
“I know councils these days have enormous constraints on their budgets but this is an absolute gold mine if there was a walking track put in.
“It would fit in absolutely beautifully with a recreational plan to get people out, walking and enjoying the spaces.”
A Powercor spokesperson said the company has inspected all of its network, including around Post Office Creek, to inform where and when they need to cut.
“In this location, Powercor is responsible for clearing trees near powerlines on privately owned land, as well as any trees which are on land managed by authorities other than council,” they said.
“Council is responsible for clearing trees near powerlines on council land in ‘declared areas’. We will be cutting in this location over coming months.”
Macedon Ranges council director assets and operations Shane Walden said council is responsible for electric line clearance (ELC) in the ’declared areas’ of Kyneton, and Powercor is responsible in the other areas, except in Gisborne South.
“If the trees along Wedge Street near Post Office Creek in Kyneton require trimming, they will be included in the ELC program, which is scheduled to begin in November,” he said.
“Grass slashing in this area is also council’s responsibility… [and] is scheduled to commence north of the shire in late October 2023 (weather permitting).
“The slashing program is set to include the area along Post Office Creek east from Wedge Street to Ebden Street, then north to Latrobe Street, and between 90 and 92 Wedge Street.”
Mr Walden said there is no walking track planned for this area.
