Fire clean up continues

Crater Lake tree safety under the microscope

The City of Mount Gambier has begun tree safety analysis along the Crater Lakes rim to investigate the logistics around the removal of large pine trees engulfed by the fire that ravaged the area in January 2022.

The work will assess the top three tiers of trees in the area which are suspected to be rotting from the inside, posing an ongoing risk to public safety.

Acting General Manager City Infrastructure Karl Manarangi said the Crater Lakes precinct was a State Heritage area which required Development Application approval to undertake work of this type.

“We received the approval on Monday (October 9), so we’re now getting straight to work to see what we’re dealing with and what action we should take,” he said. To ensure the safety of trail users, the crater rim from the stairs to Centenary Tower and the back section of Carinya Gardens Cemetery remains closed to the public.

“Signage is in place reminding trail users that the area is in fire recovery and not to enter the closed part of the trail”, he said.

“We are aware that people are keen to use the trail in full once again, but we stress that going into closed areas is dangerous and people need to stay away from the area.

“Depending on what we find during this investigation over the next week or so, we hope to be able to fell the trees and reopen the trail in the near future. We will provide further information when we know more.”

Once removed, it is anticipated that the pine trees will be replaced with a native species in an ongoing program.

“The rehabilitation project is still in the planning and development phase, however it will have a focus on sustainable mitigation solutions and strategies.”