General News
1 April, 2024
Fire recovery effort continues
The Pyrenees Shire Council is removing over 700 trees impacted by the Bayindeen fire emergency to ensure community safety. Council arborists assessed over 1000 trees across 55 kilometres of local roads as part of their recovery efforts from the...
The Pyrenees Shire Council is removing over 700 trees impacted by the Bayindeen fire emergency to ensure community safety.
Council arborists assessed over 1000 trees across 55 kilometres of local roads as part of their recovery efforts from the recent bushfire which burnt over 20,000 hectares and caused more than 30,000 homes to be evacuated in late February.
Many of the trees earmarked for demolition have lost vital root systems, making them unstable and in danger of falling onto roads at any time.
Council has employed specialist contractors for the project, with up to four crews assigned the currently dangerous Raglan-Elmhurst Road, with one crew specifically working on The Glut Road next to Cave Hill Creek.
The Pyrenees community is expected to experience interruptions across local roads in the upcoming months as access is restricted for heavy equipment.
Pyrenees Shire Council CEO Jim Nolan said recovery works are ensuring the safety of the local community.
“The assessment and removal of damaged trees is a priority for council — we want to re-open all roads as soon as possible however community safety is our highest priority,” he said.
“Qualified arborists are conducting the assessments, and we have several teams of contractors removing dangerous trees at any one time. Council has prioritised this work along the busier roads so they can re-open quickly.”
Works have already started on local roads, with crews almost finished with the first section of Main Lead Road.
Other crews will be working on side roads in fire-impacted areas at the same time.
Many local businesses and community members have raised concern about how works on side roads and ‘local traffic only’ roads can affect them personally.
Mr Nolan reassured residents that they are able to drive along these fire-impacted roads.
“Drivers can use fire-impacted roads if they have a specific reason, for example if they are delivering stock feed or carting water to fire-impacted residents,” he said.
The Pyrenees Shire is currently offering financial help, legal support, wellbeing services and more as part of their fire recovery program.
To register for recovery support or obtain more information about council services, call 1300 797 363 during business hours or visit at www.pyrenees.vic.gov.au/fireupdate