Maintenance is a priority

I WRITE to reject claims made by Cr Brett Olds that TMR is ‘neglecting its mowing duties’ in Cairns.

TMR prioritises its maintenance work, with safety issues given the highest priority.

State-controlled roads near Cairns are usually mowed about five times a year, depending on grass growth.

Vegetation which poses a safety threat, such as fallen trees, is attended to immediately. Mowing begins once the grass within 3.6 metres of the road edge reaches more than 500mm on national highways or more than 700mm on statecontrolled areas.

Grass on the Bruce Highway and Captain Cook Highway near Cairns had not reached this height before the 2018 Christmas break, when the Cairns area received record rainfalls between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

This record-breaking rainfall event caused many road closures and emergency warnings, with TMR staff working around the clock to inform motorists of changing conditions and road safety issues.

Mowing along the Captain Cook Highway near Cairns began on January 7, 2019 and was due to be completed by January 14, weather permitting.

Mowing alongside the Bruce Highway near Cairns will begin once mowing works are completed on the Captain Cook Highway.

MPDT is the local contractor that was given the job of managing state-controlled road reserves in the Far North District from July 1, 2018.

Mowing and maintenance is carried out by MPDT in accordance with the same guidelines which applied to previous maintenance contractors.

TMR values feedback and encourages anyone with concerns to contact us on 13 19 40, or by visiting https:// www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Contact-us Neil Scales, TMR Director General