Roving Reporter out & about. To Low Mow or No Mow

Roving Reporter out and about…….

To Low Mow or No Mow

One of our team has been following changes to the mowing cycle with many areas of our Reserves which haven’t been mowed since mid July. That is 4 months between mows.

The grass in this situation is around 350 mm high and we’ve attached photos showing the long grass with the “Mow Me” words mowed through it.

Our Roving reporter reports…..

Mowing is part of the Core Services NPDC provide for Ratepayers.

If this is happening now, what are we going to see in the future, as the NPDC increase areas of Reserve which need Ground Care e.g the New Walkway Extension.

I sent a photo and email to NPDC on Antenno, of the Reserve beside our house here in Bell Block.

I got a reply from the Parks Customer Response Supervisor - saying – “It’s taking our small Team 8 - 10 Weeks to get through”.

I asked one of the mowing staff why the long gap between mows – the reply – “We can’t do any more Mowing”

This brings up questions like:

One, Why a Small Team ? Why aren’t they doing any more mowing ? Have Parks and Reserves staff numbers been reduced in this area ? If not, why are some Reserves being left in the state they are ?

Two, The longer the grass the harder it is on the gear - Especially when the grass is wet and has to be mowed twice, as it is so long.

Three, they may have better gear, but the long grass will still take longer to mow after four months once it has got to 350 mm high.

Four, Long grass tends to attract vermin and the like which is not something people living in urban areas are likely to welcome.

Five, the Garden Festival is full on this time of year and this long grass is not a great look for visitors to the region.

When I asked - Why is the area by the CBD, East End Reserves and Fitzroy Beach mowed more frequently I was told – “It is because the Grass Area is more Patronised”

But why do ratepayers in Bell Block get less attention ? Or any other suburb in NP ? Who are also paying the same amount in rates for their Reserves to be mowed.