Storm damage cleanup continues

By Helen Tatchell

Summer is approaching and that means the potential of bushfires, and the risk is greater after the 2021 storms in June and October that caused significant damage in the Moorabool area.

As a result, more than 80,000 hectares of forest and 1500 km of the main road network managed by DELWP in the Wombat and Cobaw State Forests have been impacted. The main towns in Moorabool that have been impacted are Korweinguboora and Blackwood.

Grampians Deputy Chief Fire Officer Tony English said their fuel management program in the Wombat State Forest to reduce bushfire risk and enable safe and rapid response to bushfires also continues.

“DELWP and partner agencies have been continuing to clear storm damaged areas, manage bushfire risk and make areas safe for the community – Sites for debris removal are prioritised to protect nearby communities,” he said.

Mr English said DELWP staff and contractors have cleared more than 1200km of roads and tracks.

“Arborists have completed public safety works across ten recreation sites in the region and crews are working to manage hazardous trees along walking tracks.”

Planning is also underway for future burns in the Wombat State Forest to ensure they can manage any additional bushfire risk that may have resulted from the storm.

And the habitat for endangered species has not been forgotten with DELWP staff in the Grampians region working to restore these were impacted by the devastating storms last year.

Approximately 200 hollows have been carved into trees to increase habitat for greater glider, brush-tail phascogale and the red-browed tree creeper as part of the project in both the Wombat and Cobaw State Forests.

A chainsaw carved some of the hollows, while others were created using a method called Hollowhog that makes large internal cavities through small entry holes in both living and dead wood.

The Victorian Government has provided more than $73 million to help with necessary repairs and recovery works.