Chris Oldfield, Naracoorte Community News

There was no roadside spraying of gravel roads in the Naracoorte Lucindale Council district last Spring, according to operations manager Karl Manarangi.

As the current fire season sparked, only the roadsides of council’s sealed roads were sprayed.

This was revealed after Cr Cameron Grundy asked questions at council’s December 21 meeting.

The matter flared following a written operations report by Mr Manarangi.

Mr Manarangi said the council’s roadside spraying contractors I&D “had completed their first round of spraying throughout the district as per the contract”.

Cr Cameron Grundy said he was surprised to read that.

“I’m happy to be corrected, but after speaking to a couple of others, and from my own anecdotal evidence, I don’t believe the roadside spraying has taken place – not in the northern part of the district,” he said.

“I spoke to (director infrastructure services Daniel Willsmore) about it in the middle of October when I noted just a couple of areas had been done.

“He said ‘No’, that (the area which had been sprayed) was just to essentially assist with the development of the Morambro Rd.

“So, out there, in the district, we are actually waiting with bated breath for the roadside spraying to be done – with the 4ft thistles and that sort of thing.

“(Mr Willsmore) said ‘Look, rest assured it will be done before December’. 

“We’ve all been waiting with great anticipation, and I was surprised to read it had been done, when I don’t think it has been done.

“To that end, I guess the question is, ‘Is the report accurate?’”

Mr Manarangi said the report was accurate based on the council’s decision in December 2020, when it was put to the council, that “we would spray sealed roads in one section of the year, which is September, and then during April we would spray all of the roads out”.

Cr Grundy: “Please tell me we are not going to be spraying roadsides in April because essentially there’s no growth in April. The problem with April is there is nothing growing.”

Mr Mangarangi: “So, it is actually common practice for us to spray in April as well.”

He said the council’s previous contractors had sprayed in April.

“It is common practice for most councils to actually spray in April and September,” Mr Mangarangi said.

“So, you sort of get a first spray just after that first lot of rain comes through and there’s a bit of regrowth – usually around April, May…”

He said it was common practice not only at this council, but also in the Adelaide Hills. 

CEO Trevor Smart said the council could review its practices through the Strategic Asset and Planning committee.

However, he indicated it was difficult to change once the council had gone to tender, but it could be done before the council called the next tender.

No other councillors asked questions or commented.

Later in the meeting, during a segment, Questions Without Notice, Cr Grundy asked again about roadside spraying.

“What are the current terms of reference with regard to the current contract for roadside spraying awarded to I&D, and what were the previous terms of reference with regards to the previous roadside spraying contract for the financial year?” he asked.

The mayor Erika Vickery said: “We will take it on notice.”

CEO Mr Smart said the question had to be moved and seconded before it could be recorded in the minutes as a question on notice.

Calling for someone to be a seconder, Mrs Vickery said: “Thank you Cr Rayner”, and added the question could now be recorded in the minutes.

At the council’s January 25 meeting this year Cr Grundy referred to his previous question regarding the council’s December 21 operations report.

He thanked Mr Willsmore for his email and said it contained a “comprehensive” reply.

“Could we have a map provided so I can get my head around what is a Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) road, and what is not a DIT road.”

Cr Grundy said he would like to pursue the matter further with Mr Willsmore.

“Secondly, what are the merits of spraying in April?” Cr Grundy asked.

Mr Willsmore said it was to help with patrol grading and to capture the material which had blown out over summer and drag it back on the road with the dry grass.

Cr Craig McGuire said the matter was operational and indicated he could recall Cr Trevor Rayner also getting involved in what was a separate role in previous years.

He suggested elected members had a separate role and “you are just pushing it into operations”.

Mrs Vickery said: “Can I just remind councillors that we (have) a strategic role and if there are any questions, you don’t have to wait until a council meeting, and if you do have a question, it would be very useful for our community to have those answered directly with our CEO.”

Cr Grundy: “With all due respect to Cr McGuire, the agenda item (operations report) in December – there was an item ‘Roadside spraying had been completed’, and I don’t believe it has been completed.

“Nor does the best part of the district, and so that is the nature of my question.”

Cr McGuire: “Fair enough, thank you.”

No other members asked any questions or commented on the roadside spraying issue.

This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.