Clearing roadside trees from fencing
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Work is currently happening along the Euroa-Mansfield Road to clear trees off fence lines that have fallen from the road side and remediate hazardous trees along the fencelines. The work is expected to be completed by ANZAC day. This road is a VicRoads road (the only one in the fire impacted area) and the work is being conducted by Department of Transport & Planning (DTP).
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Crews will speak with individual landholders to see if they are willing to accept any of the timber burnt, and this will be passed over the fence. Any left over firewood will be left at one of the stack sites on the Euroa Mansfield road for future community use.
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Scroll down for more detailed information about the DTP works, how they are assessing trees, other works to be done on the road.
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Getting this same assistance on every other affected roads in the shire is a top priority for the Council. We've been told that Council CEOs of the 4 affected LGAs (Local Government Areas) are taking a cross-LGA approach as a first step, then will be looking for community support and a push to get funding for clearing works on shire roads. We'll let you know as soon as you can lend your support and how to do that.
Fences cut or damaged for access during firefighting
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If your fences have been damaged by trees that were felled to access your property during firefighting, you may be eligible for removal and repair. Information and application forms here on the Forest Fire Management (FFMVic) Recovery After An Emergency webpage. NOTE: that you have to apply to access this - they will then visit you to confirm the damage and details. They are in Gooram now so it's a good time to apply and be assessed
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This application form also includes remediation ('smudging') of fire control lines (aka 'containment lines' or 'firebreaks). Note it doesn't include re-seeding.
If you're uninsured or under-insured
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BlazeAid is a not-for-profit, volunteer organisation who are here on the ground, based in Euroa to help clear, repair and rebuild fencing. Register with them here or phone 1300 333 546 or Debra Ong on 0466 310 959.
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Uniting Church Fencing is also helping in the area. Alan Stafford on 0412 578 237.
Planning your new fencing
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Gecko CLaN Landcare Network can help with thinking through new fencing design. If you're considering moving gates or installing fencing in a different location, they can help with mapping. NOTE: they can also help with finding stock agistment and grant application support.
Euroa-Mansfield Road DTP works details
The following detail on the works was provided to Council by DTP for works on the Euroa-Mansfield Road, which is the only VicRoads road in the fire impact region.
Prior to the road reopening:
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DTP with our Maintenance Contractor undertook inspections of the roadside vegetation, drainage (including culverts), structures and safety barriers to identify Hazard and Defects for these items. Hazards were prioritised and works completed to either repair or make-safe.
Now the Road is open:
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DTP with our Maintenance Contractor and tree maintenance sub-contractors undertook a comprehensive look at the effected roadside vegetation and developed a scope of works and a tree assessment criteria.
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The criteria is based on the level of fire effect on the tree (does the tree need to be removed or could a weight trim help the tree to recover),
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the potential of the tree to fall across the road,
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potential of tree to fall within the road reserve,
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potential of tree to impact private property access or privately owned asset,
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Each tree that will be trimmed with have a quick arborist assessment (1 pager), (Level 3 assessment),
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Each tree that will be removed requires a more comprehensive assessment to be completed by suitable qualified arborist. (level 5 assessment),
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Any potential firewood will be separated from the burnt wood with a suitable community assess location to be confirmed.
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Any burnt wood will need a different approach, if private landowner is willing to assist by accepting burnt wood, future firewood will be offered as compensation.
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Once vegetation clearing has been completed, works on the drainage, road shoulder and safety barriers will be completed. (Some of the barrier works have already started to ensure the works are completed within the 3 month timeline.
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Pavement repair works will also be completed once the vegetation works are completed,
The current timeline has the vegetation works completed by the middle of March, then the drainage, pavement and barrier repairs are planned to be completed by ANZAC day 2026.