Warrnambool's "disgraceful" aesthetics have been slammed by a leading south-west business after two high-profile international customers commented on the foreshore's unkempt grass and bins.
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Midfield Meat's Dean McKenna said in the last week two international customers had visited Warrnambool and commented on the state of the city's uncut grass and overflowing rubbish bins.
Mr McKenna said the rubbish bins at the abattoir were cleaner than those along the foreshore, which were this week overflowing as council staff work bans hit the city.
"We've had overseas government delegates and one of the largest buyers in the US here to visit and we like to show off our town," he said.
"Powerful movers and shakers want to see our trademark locations, they want to see where Oddball was based after watching the movie, and their first impression is of a town that is unkempt and untidy.
"It's disgraceful and very embarrassing for everyone."
Mr McKenna said thousands of visitors would soon flock to Warrnambool for summer holidays and other popular events, including the Great Vic Bike Ride that travels through Port Fairy and Warrnambool next week.
"We want to show off our city and be proud of it, and in its current state, it's a very poor advertisement for Warrnambool," he said.
"Ratepayers and the whole town are being held to ransom. The council needs to settle its dispute, for the whole community."
Australian Services Union members last month implemented work bans over a pay dispute with the city council saying they would not collect rubbish or mow some grasses in the CBD or Lake Pertobe.
The union is seeking two per cent a year over three years, or $30 a week, whichever is greater.
More than 50 employees have agreed to a raft of measures, including a ban on responding to non-urgent requests from rate payers, a ban on mowing parks, reserves, green spaces or sporting fields and a ban on picking up and disposing of dead animals.
A Warrnambool City Council spokesman said until the industrial dispute was resolved there would be limited lawn mowing carried out.
He said external contractors were already collecting rubbish and council was continuing to negotiate with the union.
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