Trees

The information on this page is about dealing with trees affected by the bushfire or firefighting activities, particularly on fencelines. This is a priority to create safe working areas for contractors and starting the process of repairing and rebuilding fences.

Clearing trees off roadside fencelines

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).
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.
For more detailed information about the DTP works, how they are assessing trees, other works to be done on the road - see the Fencing page.
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.

Trees felled on fences for access during firefighting

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
This application form also includes remediation ('smudging') of fire control lines (aka 'containment lines' or 'firebreaks). Note it doesn't include re-seeding.

Yes, roadside trees being felled can be passed to you

Council has advised that landholders can approach arborists / contractors to have roadside trees passed over the fence into their property for future use.

Unsafe trees on crown, national park, state park or state forests

A landholder may get permission to fell a dangerous tree on adjacent (non-neighbour) land. The work would be at their cost.