Gippsland’s overgrown roadsides

Response to the article dated January 17, 2023, in South Gippsland Sentinel Times.

I have lived in Gippsland for three years now and arrived only to get evacuated twice to Melbourne due to bushfires so implore authorities to be proactive in roadside and more broader vegetation management, so we never have to endure the losses of 2019-2020 again.

I also get concerned every time I hear fatalistic comments about the loss of timber and power stations and the impact economically on the continuing sustainability and viability of our towns.

Whilst I appreciate that it is sometimes hard to be agile and adapt in the face of long-established traditions, I see so many other opportunities in Gippsland including for a locally based manufacturing sector to develop, manufacture, supply, service and repair commercial grade agriculture and lawn mowing equipment.  In the wake of COVID and war and conflict overseas the high-level dependency of our nation on global trade and the supply chain problems implicated in this has never been more apparent.

I know of one organisation that has been waiting since April 2022 for replacement of a stolen zero turning commercial lawn mower which is fundamental to daily operations, public safety and tourism and hospitality.

Another provider needing to transport dirty laundry to Melbourne daily as nil local capacity to handle the volume.

In a fire prone country and one where there is a high rate of road trauma the availability and supply of reliable high quality commercial equipment for vegetation management, creation and maintenance of fire breaks and presentation of public parks and green space should be one of our number one priorities.

In a region where tourism and hospitality generates significant economic benefit but high volumes of laundry why do we not have equipment and businesses locally to meet increased demand?

I appreciate that as well as community preparedness to be agile and adapt in the face of changing trends and conditions there is also a need for local consumers to be prepared to buy local and sometimes pay higher sum than that which is paid for cheaper imports.

I would welcome the return to greater national self-sufficiency and reduced dependency on global trade so locally based issues such as these can be resolved in a timely manner which enhances and sustains consistent community and public safety which is responsiveness to the needs and conditions here on the ground.

Simone Zaia Marlo, Address supplied