The grass in Logan has been at its worst since Christmas and the storms and continual rain has left contractors fighting a growing battle.

The overgrown grass has left parks unusable, footpaths dangerous to walk down, and the city looking unsightly.

A combination of rain, humidity and sunshine in recent weeks has resulted in rapid grass growth.

Working in heatwave conditions on sodden, boggy grounds has significantly impacted council’s mowing operations and the justified complaints have been going into council about all areas over the whole city.

Now, along with contractors, council staff are volunteering to get out in the city joining regular mowing crews to get the grass cut. They are working to restore the amenity of local parks, footpaths and road reserves.

Just like many residents dealing with mowing their own overgrown lawns, council is working hard to explore all possible avenues to get their mowing schedule back on track.

This includes:

• Council mowing teams are working overtime and at weekends.
• Volunteer staff assisting with mowing and whipper-snipping (within WH&S guidelines).
• Three additional mowing contractors have been engaged to support existing crews.
• Council maintenance schedules have been adjusted to ensure all mowing equipment repairs are given top priority and that replacement equipment is on standby.

“It is hoped that drier weather forecast for the coming days will allow crews to get the upper hand in this mammoth mowing task,” said a council spokesperson.

Rebecca Martin and Beni Ntamwenge normally work as pest and plant control officers in council’s City Safety and Liveability Branch. Both said they had no hesitation putting up their hands to join the mowing crews, despite their decision being made in one of the most humid weeks of the summer.

“We just wanted to do our bit to help the community,” they said.

The expanded mowing schedule is being rolled out alongside council’s staged Christmas Day storm clean-up program, which is continuing across impacted streets in the city’s south.

Important information for the community includes:

• The Community Recovery Hub at the Jimboomba Library on Honora Street will permanently close at 4pm tomorrow (Friday, February 2). More than 3000 visits to the hub – which provided support and advice on grant applications and insurance claims – were recorded since its opening in late December. Residents still in need of financial support should call the Queensland Government’s dedicated Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.
• Council’s kerbside clean-up program is continuing as scheduled on local streets, despite some delays caused by weather. More information can be found at: logan.qld.gov.au/kerbside-cleanup-2
• Green and hard waste disposal remains free for storm-impacted residents at council’s waste and recycling facilities at Browns Plains, Logan Village, Greenbank, Beenleigh, and Carbrook. Residents who cannot attend a waste facility should continue to stack un-mulched green waste neatly on the kerb.
• Up-to-date information on the city’s storm recovery continues to be available at: logan.qld.gov.au/storm-recovery-updates

Anyone who wishes to report a public space that needs urgent mowing can go online to logan.qld.gov.au/onlineservices or call council on 3412 3412.