Local Outrage Explodes Over Council's Shocking Neglect—Is Your Street Next?
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In the quiet suburban streets of Austral, southwest Sydney, a storm is brewing, and it's not just the kind that brings rain. Residents are up in arms over what they describe as a 'lazy' and 'disgusting' act by the Liverpool City Council, which has left their neighbourhood looking more like a neglected field than a well-maintained suburb.
The issue at hand? A routine maintenance job that went awry, leaving behind an unsightly mess that has the local community fuming. It seems that the long grass on the nature strips, a common gripe among the locals, was finally addressed by council subcontractors. But the relief was short-lived as the aftermath of the mowing job was anything but clean.
One resident, taking to Facebook to voice her frustration, highlighted the excessive amount of grass clippings left scattered near one of the suburb's busiest roads. 'This is the mess your gardeners leave after cutting the lawn. Great that it blows all over the surrounding houses, looks disgusting and is blocking the drain,' she lamented. 'Clean up your act, it’s disgusting!'
The problem isn't just cosmetic. The loose clippings pose significant hazards, particularly to motorbike riders. Grass clippings on the road can become slippery, especially when wet, creating a treacherous surface for any vehicle. Swerving to avoid such obstacles can lead to loss of control, and the consequences can be dire. Road safety expert from UNSW, Raphael Grzebieta, has previously explained the dangers, likening it to the slipperiness of leaves on a bushwalking trail.
Photographs of the scene between Edmonson Avenue and Trehearne Loop show thick mounds of grass lining the gutters, with clumps strewn across the street. The road's drain, already caked with clippings, risks polluting local waterways. This is particularly ironic given that Liverpool Council's own website advises against dumping garden waste, including grass clippings, due to the environmental hazards they pose.
The council advises residents to leave grass clippings on their lawns as a 'natural fertiliser,' which may have been the intention behind leaving the cut-offs. However, the execution was clearly flawed, leading to public outcry and concerns over the council's professionalism.
After receiving complaints, Liverpool Council responded by sending the crew back to clean up the mess the following day. A spokesperson assured that the issue was rectified within 24 hours, but the damage to the council's reputation among locals may take longer to mend.
The images of the mess and the council's initial oversight have sparked an uproar online, with residents questioning the value of their council rates. 'What’s the point of my council rates every quarter for this rubbish work?' one person questioned, while another branded it 'gross incompetence at its finest.'
As members of the Seniors Discount Club, we understand the importance of community pride and the expectation of services that our rates should cover. It's essential to hold local councils accountable for their actions—or lack thereof—and ensure that our neighbourhoods remain safe and pleasant places to live.
Have you experienced similar issues with council maintenance in your area? Are you satisfied with the level of service provided for the rates you pay? Share your stories and thoughts with us in the comments below. Let's keep the conversation going and work towards better standards for all our communities.
The issue at hand? A routine maintenance job that went awry, leaving behind an unsightly mess that has the local community fuming. It seems that the long grass on the nature strips, a common gripe among the locals, was finally addressed by council subcontractors. But the relief was short-lived as the aftermath of the mowing job was anything but clean.
Southwest Sydney residents are frustrated as excessive grass clippings left behind by council sub-contractors create mess and block drains. Credit: Liverpool City Council
One resident, taking to Facebook to voice her frustration, highlighted the excessive amount of grass clippings left scattered near one of the suburb's busiest roads. 'This is the mess your gardeners leave after cutting the lawn. Great that it blows all over the surrounding houses, looks disgusting and is blocking the drain,' she lamented. 'Clean up your act, it’s disgusting!'
The problem isn't just cosmetic. The loose clippings pose significant hazards, particularly to motorbike riders. Grass clippings on the road can become slippery, especially when wet, creating a treacherous surface for any vehicle. Swerving to avoid such obstacles can lead to loss of control, and the consequences can be dire. Road safety expert from UNSW, Raphael Grzebieta, has previously explained the dangers, likening it to the slipperiness of leaves on a bushwalking trail.
Photographs of the scene between Edmonson Avenue and Trehearne Loop show thick mounds of grass lining the gutters, with clumps strewn across the street. The road's drain, already caked with clippings, risks polluting local waterways. This is particularly ironic given that Liverpool Council's own website advises against dumping garden waste, including grass clippings, due to the environmental hazards they pose.
The council advises residents to leave grass clippings on their lawns as a 'natural fertiliser,' which may have been the intention behind leaving the cut-offs. However, the execution was clearly flawed, leading to public outcry and concerns over the council's professionalism.
After receiving complaints, Liverpool Council responded by sending the crew back to clean up the mess the following day. A spokesperson assured that the issue was rectified within 24 hours, but the damage to the council's reputation among locals may take longer to mend.
The images of the mess and the council's initial oversight have sparked an uproar online, with residents questioning the value of their council rates. 'What’s the point of my council rates every quarter for this rubbish work?' one person questioned, while another branded it 'gross incompetence at its finest.'
As members of the Seniors Discount Club, we understand the importance of community pride and the expectation of services that our rates should cover. It's essential to hold local councils accountable for their actions—or lack thereof—and ensure that our neighbourhoods remain safe and pleasant places to live.
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