Grass a hazard to the hip pocket

A NORLANE landowner will be left with a $960 bill after Geelong council stepped in to slash a 6ha property a resident deemed a fire hazard.

It is the latest of about 70 properties where owners have not acted on a directive from council to rid their properties of fire hazards, which mainly include overgrown grass.

The owner of 137-167 Cox Road, Norlane, who has previously intended to develop the site, was told by council to clean it up on November 20.

By January 9 the owner had still not acted on the direction, forcing the city to call in contractors to have grass slashed at the site of the former Norlane High School.

Before the grass was slashed at the property, local Kevin Carlson said it had been left to grow for about a year.

“If there was a fire it would be pretty dangerous,” Mr Carlson said last month.

“The grass has been left to grow too long. It needs to be slashed, a ride-on mower would get stuck if I tried to use it.”

Geelong council city services director Guy WilsonBrowne said property owners whose land was cleared by council contractors would be charged a minimum of $236.50.

“We take fire safety extremely seriously and urge all property owners in our municipality to ensure their land is well maintained and does not pose a risk to our community,” Mr Wilson-Browne said.

“The city has engaged contractors to clear approximately 70 properties this fire season.

“Total costs vary according to vegetation growth and property size.

“A fire prevention notice was first issued (to the owner of) 137-167 Cox Road, Norlane, on November 20, 2020.

“The property owner did not comply with the notice. As a result, the city engaged a contractor to slash the property on January 9, 2021.”