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.