BRIAN Murray says he is ‘fed up’ with having to contact the Ipswich City Council about overgrown grass on private property.
He pointed to a 4.7 acre property in Matthew Street, Rosewood.
“When the grass reached a certain height, I would contact the owners to let them know. The owners would then mow the area about 20 metres or so from the fences and sometimes even the entire block,” he said.
“In July last year I rang the owner and he informed me that he had sold the block to a Superannuation Fund in Sydney.
“Unable to inspect the land due to Covid restrictions they purchased the land sight unseen.
“The southern boundary of this block has about 20 metres of bitumen road for access, but on entering the block there is a gully, known as Masons Gully which significantly floods once we receive a decent rainfall.”
To eliminate the flooding problem on this block Brian said that the construction of a bridge would have to take place, but he feels that council would not approve this request.
“Sewerage mains also run at all angles across the block and this would be a headache for the cutting of housing blocks as building over sewer mains is not allowed,” he said.
“Maybe this is why there has been no maintenance that has taken place on the block, but still, this is no excuse not to maintain the grass levels that far exceed waist height for months on end.
“Council have been out to inspect the block which has some weeds which need removing, but nothing has been done, and this affects all houses on the southern side of Berlin Street and about seven houses on John Street.”
A council spokesperson said that all residents have a responsibility to keep their properties neat and tidy to improve the appearance of the community.
“Maintaining your property reduces the amount of vermin that might take up residence and it also limits mosquito breeding,” the spokesperson said.
“Overgrown or unsightly properties are regulated under the Ipswich City Council Local Law No. 8 of Nuisances and Community Health and Safety, 2013.
“Compliance officers will conduct an inspection of the property to make a determination if the property is overgrown or unsightly, officers will then attempt to speak with the property owner and may issue a compliance notice.
“If the matter remains unrectified council may take steps to enter the property and undertake the works which are then on-charged.”
Council has since mown the property, but Brian believes it should be done regularly without someone like him having to go through the lengthy process of getting it done and putting up with the weeds and high grass in the meantime.
