Down with drain

DRAINS owned by Melbourne Water have been causing a flood of problems for Casey Council and local residents.
The drains are surrounded by long grass which has often caught fire and attracted snakes, a Narre Warren South resident said.
Ken Swifte said a drain near his house in Montebello Boulevard, which weaves through Centre Road and Greaves Road then filters into Berwick Springs, has not had any maintenance done on it in four years – a claim Melbourne Water has denied.
Mr Swifte said he has pleaded several times with Melbourne Water to maintain the drains but keeps getting fobbed off.
“We had two fires last year and four sightings of snakes,” Mr Swift said.
“Council does great work in keeping their park land maintained, but it goes from lovely cut grass to five foot tall grass with rodents near the Melbourne Water owned drains.
“The growth in the drains has gotten out of hand.
“All it takes is one snake to bite a child or one cinder to come off the paddocks to the grass and my home and other homes could go up in flames.”
City of Casey councillor Sam Aziz said the Melbourne Water drains were not only a problem in Narre Warren South, but throughout the municipality.
He said the council has been trying for years to get Melbourne Water to clean up its mess, but the requests have been ignored.
“Melbourne Water is the worst government agency that I have ever had to deal with,” Cr Aziz said.
“Casey Council has constantly written to them to heighten their maintenance program, to cut grass at the reserves and clean the drains, but it continuously falls on deaf ears.
“It is a real hazard at the moment as we approach fire season.
“We want to make sure they, basically, adhere to regular maintenance like our city provides.
“The only thing that council can do is constantly ask them.”
But Melbourne Water spokesperson Nicolas McGay said the drains were mowed at least four times a year, with the next mow scheduled for December.
Mr McGay that in 2011/2012 said Melbourne Water has mowed 367 hectares of grass in drainage reserves and retarding basins, conducted 253 kilometres of weed control along waterways and drains and removed 116 cubic metres of debris from waterways and drains.
“We are very happy to meet with council to discuss our mowing schedule across the City of Casey,” Ms McGay said.
“We are open to feedback from council and the community, which helps to inform our annual maintenance program for the area.”
Mr McGay did not deny or make any apologies for the snakes living around the drains.
“Healthy waterways are dependent on the health of plants and animals that live there, and unfortunately in some cases that means snakes,” he said.
“While we understand that seeing a snake can be a cause for concern, it is common for snakes and other animals to live in and around waterways.
“If people have concerns about snakes in their area they should contact the Department of Sustainability and the Environment for further advice and assistance.”
Mr McGay said anyone with concerns about the state of the drains or the level of grass are encourage to contact Melbourne Water on 13 17 22.