General News
29 April, 2025
Kerbside concerns over weed, grass infestation
COMPLAINTS about the deterioration of kerb and channel (K&C) in Mareeba’s suburban streets due to an infestation of weeds and grass have been met with advice from the shire council that homeowners are expected to maintain the assets.
While residents accept they must mow their verges even though it is not their property, a ratepayer has questioned why the council does not maintain the K&C in many of Mareeba’s suburban streets.
The ratepayer, who asked not to be identified, said the slow destruction of the K&C in many streets was being ignored by the council, but ratepayers would eventually have to pay to replace the asset.
She specifically pointed at Ceola Drive, where the K&C has been inundated with weeds and grass breaking up the concrete. The worst parts were behind the bollards installed by the council in June last year.
“We know we have to mow our verge, but I expected the council to maintain the kerb and channel and use poison to stop them breaking up even further,” she said.
“You can see this problem throughout Mareeba’s streets and, at its worst, it is preventing water draining away.
“Years ago, the council would regularly poison the K&C to keep weeds away and there was also some street sweeping but I have lived in my property for two years and have never seen a street sweeper.”
But council says its streets are “typically swept every 4–6 months on a rotational program” and that there was a “general expectation that residents maintain the vegetation in front of their properties”.
“As most residents maintain these areas, council does not operate a routine herbicide spraying program for kerb and channel assets,” a council spokesperson said.
“Where the street sweeper cannot access, such as behind pedestrian islands, along unsealed road shoulders, or where weeds obstruct kerbs, cleaning is carried out manually and/or herbicide is applied on an as-needs basis, subject to available resources.
“Works are undertaken in the most cost-effective way possible, which may not always meet individual aesthetic preferences.”
Last week, a social media post by a resident showed a section of verge and K&C that had been poisoned by the council which drew comments of support and others of concern over the use of poison going down drains and into waterways.
Council also acknowledged replacing K&C was an expensive exercise.
“Kerb and channel repairs are undertaken where damage presents a safety or drainage risk,” the spokesperson said.
“Replacing long sections of kerb is particularly expensive due to the need to remove and reconstruct adjoining road and verge areas and is, therefore, limited to high-priority cases.
“In relation to Ceola Drive, council is aware of resident concerns, including street sweeper access.
“These matters have been communicated to the Department of Transport and Main Roads, which is finalising its report on the temporary pedestrian path pilot project.
“The report will be provided to council and shared with the community in due course.”
