Unkempt yards pose risk to the community

Residents across the Charters Towers Region are urged to maintain their yards after the wet start to the year.

Councillor Bernie Robertson, whose portfolio includes Pest and Animal Management, said locals have a responsibility to maintain their properties.

“While it’s great to see so much green grass around the Region, there are some properties which have not been adequately maintained,” he said.

“Not only are they unsightly, these yards pose a health and safety risk to the community.

“Unkempt and overgrown properties can attract vermin and snakes and are also a significant fire hazard,” Cr Robertson said.

Council has urged residents to regularly mow their yards, store goods out of sight or in neat stacks, make sure household rubbish is placed out for collection, and dispose of any old vehicles, machinery, or white goods.

Since the start of the year several Compliance Notices have been issued to landholders whose properties are non-compliant with Council regulations.

“This time last year we had handed out significantly more notices,” Cr Robertson said.

“We have seen an improvement but would prefer it if there was no need to issue notices because people are maintaining their property.

Council said contractors could be called in to clean up properties where the requirements of a Compliance Notice have not been met, with the costs of the clean up being passed on to the landholder.

Any overgrown or unsightly properties can be reported to Council on 4761 5300, by email at mail@charterstowers.qld.gov.au, or by using the “Snap Send Solve” app www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au/snap-send-solve.

More information about overgrown and unsightly yards can be found at www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au/public-health.