Steph Ryan claims wire rope barriers are impeding slashing efforts

Member for Euroa Steph Ryan said the heavy fuel loads along the highway were a fire risk and a 'disaster' waiting to happen.

"In some places along the Hume, the grass is so high that you can barely see the wire rope barriers," she said.

"Local brigades have contacted me deeply concerned by the danger this presents not only to local communities, but also for first responders, whose safety is put at risk by the placement of wire rope barriers."

Regional Roads Victoria highlighted it had already cut tens of thousands of kilometres of roadside grass and worked with emergency services to ensure high-risk areas are targeted.

However Ms Ryan said wire rope barriers had impeded the government's slashing efforts and there was a very real risk of a grassfire as a result.

Ms Ryan specifically pointed to a stretch of road near Boho which CFA brigade captain Gary Washusen wrote to the government about, but received no response.

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Mr Washusen said the slashing machines were ineffective near trees and the barriers restricted equipment access, especially if a tree or limb falls.

"The fear is one day there will be a bad fire and somebody will have an accident in the smoke and block the freeway," he said.

"Cars and trucks unable to turnaround will queue up and people will be incinerated.

"It's that simple."

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said the stretch of road had already been cut once and was scheduled for another mow in March with "specially-designed mowers which have arms that can cut beneath the barriers."

"We're all working towards the same goals of saving lives and keeping people safe, which is why fire preparation is a focus for the our government all year round," he said.

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