Independent Member for MacKillop Nick McBride has asked Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis to consider updating vegetation clearance measurements to take into account the current maintenance schedules and the growth of vegetation along regional roads.

Mr McBride told the House of Assembly that he had been contacted by a truck driver in his electorate who was extremely concerned about trees that hang dangerously close to his vehicle.

“My constituent drives semi trailers and has explained that on numerous roads – including Old Kalangadoo Road to Penola, Penola Road to Naracoorte, and the road back to Naracoorte and Robe as well – the trees pose a safety risk,” Mr McBride said.

“He believes the current maintenance is not enough and that road users are being put at risk by overhanging branches.”

In reply, Minister Koutsantonis said Mr McBride had raised an excellent question.

“I know the Member for MacKillop would not be raising it unless there were not legitimate concerns about that,” Minister Koutsantonis said.

“I thank him for it, and I thank him for bringing it to the house for the parliament’s attention, because it is an important issue.

“The advice I have received is the current vegetation clearance envelope that we have in the South East is sufficient, but given the member’s concerns I will ask the department to give me an update on whether or not we need to increase it.

“I think there is a backlog of road maintenance across our regional roads.

“It has been quite an issue for us, especially after the privatised contract in the previous parliament, which has put us at quite the disadvantage.”

Later in the same session of Question Time, Mr McBride directed a second “Dorothy Dixer” query to Deputy Premier Dr Susan Close about water supply to Wellington East.

“It is another example of his excellent representation of his community,” Dr Close said.