Trees and clean up FAQs

More than 31,000 tonnes of wood, stump and branch debris has been collected by Yarra Ranges Shire since the June storm.

We are continuing to process the material into mulch and firewood for use in the community, as well as retaining logs and other materials for community projects, landscaping, playspaces, and habitat logs. 

There’s work still to be done around tree inspection and removal along many roadsides and this will continue as more than 800 roads are inspected.

In the months following the storm logs were being temporarily stockpiled and Council was working with other agencies to assess how they can be most effectively and respectfully utilised. Already, a large proportion of these fallen trees have been reused in a variety of locations including helping to landscape the Yarra Valley Trails. Others have been given to the community for use by artists or community groups including the Yering based, Lilydale and Mooroolbark Pony Club who have been making use of some new jumps as equestrian obstacles.

Blackwood logs which came down in the storm are a very popular species of tree, which is why following an expression of interest process we gave 182 to a variety of artists, sculptors and community groups in our region. We hope to see some of these trees make their way back into the community.

Additionally, certain fallen logs and stumps collected during the storm clean-up are being repurposed in bushland sites to create habitat for our local fauna including the threatened Powerful Owl.

For more information on how Council is using and repurposing fallen storm debris click here.

Yarra Ranges Council is providing a second Special Storm Event Tree Branch Collection for residents in the Dandenong Ranges to further assist with clean up following the severe storm in June 2021.

This collection is by registration only and due to funding constraints, the second round of the Special Storm Event Tree Branch Collection is only available to residents living in suburbs that were severely impacted by the June 2021 storm. These suburbs include: Selby, Kallista, Tremont, Ferny Creek, Sassafras, Olinda, Monbulk, Silvan, Kalorama, Mount Dandenong, Wandin and Mount Evelyn.

Throughout the year, the annual bundled branch collection will assist residents to remove any extra tree debris that may have fallen as a result of recent storms. Find out more about the collection including your collection dates at  Bundled Branch Collection Yarra Ranges Council

 Find out more about the collection

Council has produced 17,700m3 of mulch (equivalent to seven Olympic sized swimming pools) which has been distributed for community to collect.

While there will be many happy gardens and gardeners across our municipality, our free mulching program has been brought to an end.

We are aware that these locations may now be the site of illegally dumped mulch and Council is mindful of the potential fire risks associated with this as the weather warms up.

Residents can report dumped material to Council on 1300  368 333.

Collection spots have now been fully booked, though we will continually assess the amount of firewood and potentially list new pick-up dates, depending on demand and restrictions.

Check this page for updates on the availability of firewood. 

Council has set aside a mix of wood material that may be suited to various community projects and initiatives, such as landscape logs, habitat logs, and some low grade milling logs.  

Although green, some smaller branches may be able to be dried and turned down the track. We’re in the process of developing that program.

Please contact Alison Fogarty on a.fogarty@yarraaranges.vic.gov.au to register your interest in getting more information. 

Yarra Ranges Council has welcomed the State Government's announcement of up to $650,000 in grant funding to support local communities affected by the June 2021 Storm.

As part of a regional partnership, $650,000 will be shared by Yarra Ranges Council and Cardinia Shire Council, to support volunteer clean-up groups, Habitat for Humanity Victoria and Treasuring Our Trees.

This funding will help facilitate extended private property clean-up efforts across the region.

If you require heavier/larger debris to be removed from your property please contact Sue Jack, Recovery Centre & Outreach Coordinator on 0477 056 265.

Residents should speak to their insurance companies to understand what assistance is available under the policy.

If the private tree you are concerned about has not been affected by the recent storm, or is not threatening a place of residence, the normal process for applying for a private tree inspection must be followed.

Find out more private tree inspections

We are receiving significantly more requests for inspection of trees on private property than normally experienced, which will result in some delay to inspections being completed.

For more general information on tree removal visit:

• Remove a tree
• Can I remove trees and vegetation?

The June storm has resulted in a significant increase in the number of requests for inspections of trees on roadsides and in reserves.

We have also run a proactive tree audit on the roads in the worst affected areas and approximately 830 roads were affected by the June storm. 

In that time Council has cleared the majority of roads and roadsides.