LOGAN City Council’s 1500-strong workforce is another victim of the current Covid spread.
During hot, humid and wet conditions ideal for Summer growth, it’s leaving park lawns un-mowed, and opening the way for the threat of more mosquitoes.
Snakes in long grass are also a threat.
Some residents have complained on social media that their children have been unable to play in the local park for five weeks of the school holidays.
Yet, council assures residents it’s doing its best to prioritise work on the worst-impacted parks, making them neat and tidy for residents.
Deputy mayor Jon Raven called for a team effort from people of the city during tough times, asking everyone to empty any water from their yards which might be providing perfect breeding conditions for mozzies.
Council mows each spot 13 times during a year. Most of those mows are done during the Summer, easing off during cool weather.
To meet the current high demand, when grass is mowed every two weeks, council is calling on a backup panel of contractors.
Cr Raven said council had its own contractors, along with a group of “reserves”. All are currently mowing the city’s lawns, in particular priority areas of parks and footpaths.
Logan has had 600ml of rain this Summer.
“It’s a vicious cycle,” Cr Raven said.
“You can’t mow when it rains. Then when the rain stops, the grass grows so quickly. Add on top of that the workforce issues as a result of Covid, and it all becomes that much worse.
“We know other councils are having similar challenges, so we’re asking that people work together to do the right thing.
“If you’ve got a bucket or bowl in the backyard with water in it, turn it over. If you want to give your footpath a mow, please do so.”
Local snake catcher Allan Johnson said longer grass provided a safe haven for snakes, and also made it easier for them to travel.
“Snakes like to hide,” he said.
“But I think I’d be more worried about the mosquitoes than the snakes. Most of our venemous snakes have short fangs, so all we recommend to parents is that children play in shoes and long pants. That should keep them safe.
“Snake bites are actually quite rare, and we have a great health system.”
Most council staff are being asked to work from home, however Cr Raven said a number of field workers had been hit with Covid, or were deemed close contacts.
While this was a strain, council would continue addressing the backlog of mowing. It would also continue to target areas known to be mosquito breeding grounds.
He asked that residents be respectful and patient during tough times, in the knowledge that council workers were working in overdrive to get through work as quickly as possible.
