A SNAKE haven that represents a danger to children at an adjacent childcare centre is how a north Orange resident described a vacant block of land in his neighbourhood.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Diamond Drive resident Ron Judge believes the grass on the land on the corner of Farrell Road and Telopea Way needs mowing to make it less attractive to snakes and rodents.
It's an eyesore and it's a dangerous eyesore.
- Ron Judge
He said residents from Diamond Drive use the block as an access route to the nearby North Orange shopping centre while the close proximity to the childcare centre was also cause for concern.
"You walk up there, it's long up there," Mr Judge said pointing towards the nearby childcare centre.
"It's an eyesore and it's a dangerous eyesore. It just worries me."
A long-time resident of Clifton Grove before moving to north Orange, Mr Judge said he had dealt with snakes and one of the key factors in never having one on his former property when neighbours did was short grass.
"[The grass] will dry off in summer and it will be a fire danger," he added.
While Mr Judge said he hadn't seen one himself, he said neighbours had told him snakes were about.
"Especially with nearby development disturbing them," he said.
Mr Judge said he had contacted council about the issue but was unhappy with its response, which he described as 'disinterested'.
"I really think council needs a kick in the backside for it," he said.
Orange City Council's Manager of Corporate and Community Relations, Nick Redmond explained council was not able to enter privately-owned land to do mowing.
"When we receive a complaint we try to make contact with the owner and ask them to take action," he said.
"The Rural Fire Service may take action if they judge there's a fire risk.
"In a case like this where there's a vacant block and a concrete footpath directly across the road, mowing of the grass verge next the vacant land won't be given a high priority."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.centralwesterndaily.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Catch up on our news headlines at Google News
HAVE YOUR SAY
Send a letter to the editor using the form below