Royal racetrack

populated areas prioritised, but the high rainfalls throughout spring had caused a slight delay in the 2022 program. A second round of slashing will take place at the end of summer. According to the DoT, slashing is only effective in areas where the ground underneath the vegetation is dry, meaning crews need to wait until certain areas dry out before they proceed. DoT said residents with queries, concerns or who’d like to flag an area for inspection were encouraged to call their dedicated customer service team on 1800 800 007. Mr Nowak said it was good to know that the DoT would be dealing with the issue soon. The same day the Gippsland Times took photos of the grass at the corner near the station on Tuesday, December 6, Stratford resident Thelma Keeley spoke at the Wellington Shire Council meeting to complain about letters that Council sent to residents regarding unkempt grass in the town. “You sent out photographs to people around the area about not cutting the property - the grass. I am very disappointed in the Shire for doing this because yourselves, you are not keeping up to date with your own grass,” Ms Keeley said. “You had sent these letters out to areas that are absolutely water-bound, unable to even walk across, never mind put a lawn mower on.” Ms Keeley informed Council of her and her husband’s prolonged efforts in keeping Stratford tidy, cutting grass in several areas. “We bought a ride-on (mower) ourselves, and we (cut the grass) with our own money,” she said. “I’m disappointed because the grass is a mess all over Stratford; there are areas that have not been cut.” The Gippsland Times understands that Ms Keeley mowed the lawn on McFarlane and Hobson Street the next day, on Wednesday, December 7. Photos taken on December 9 show its been mowed. Despite this, much of the grass on McFarlane Street and throughout Stratford remains very long and untidy as they await action by the DoT.

Additional reporting by Tom Parry and Zoe Askew.

Stratford resident Harry Nowak on the land close to Stratford Station and Stratford Fire Station on the corner of McFarlane and Hobson Street with very high grass. Image taken Tuesday, December 6. Photo: Stefan Bradley Harry Nowak demonstrates just how long the grass has grown.

Photo: Stefan Bradley The lawn on the corner of McFarlane and Hobson St, understood to have been mowed by a Stratford resident on Wednesday, December 7. Photo taken Friday, December 9.

Photo: Tom Parry