Hazardous tree removal updates
Pyrenees Shire Council is undertaking a range of fire recovery measures to ensure the safety of the community, and this includes the removal of hazardous trees along roadsides in bushfire-impacted areas of the Shire. This work is critical in ensuring roads can be reopened to the public because, as managers of these roads, Council is legally responsible for making sure they are as safe as possible for everyone who uses them.
Council has employed a fully qualified arborist and specialist tree-removal contractors, all of whom are experienced in working with and assessing fire-damaged trees, to conduct this work along roadsides. The arborist is recommending actions that include pruning, removal and other remedial actions.
While some trees that are marked for removal might look relatively undamaged and have sprouted epicormic growth, this does not always mean they are stable and healthy. Epicormic growth after fire is an attempt by the tree to recover from damage or stress but it is not an indication that the tree will definitely survive in the long term.
Pyrenees Shire Council acknowledges the removal of trees can exacerbate the trauma some residents have experienced with the fire event, and is engaging more with affected landowners about upcoming work. You can see works program updates and download the methodology of works in the section below.
Council has been meeting with and speaking to many residents in regards to this issue, and will continue to engage with anyone who wishes to discuss the work. As a result of these discussions, Council has made changes to some aspects of the work.
Council appreciates that roadsides are very important to our residents and can have significant conservation values. Council will continue to take advice from various sources to ensure the best decisions are made when it comes to tree removal and the long-term regeneration of roadsides.
For more information about the hazardous tree removal works, please phone Council's Recovery Team on 1300 797 363.
Program of works updates
This section is updated regularly with information on the removal of significant and immediate risk trees along roadsides in fire-impacted areas in the Pyrenees Shire after the Bayindeen fires in early 2024.
Works guidelines have been developed in consultation with the community and are based on the Methodology for Hazardous Tree Removal(PDF, 422KB) issued on 16 April 2024 and updated on 15 May 2024.
Works program update
Tree pruning and removal works on fire-impacted roads are currently being reviewed.
Council will provide updates to this page as required.
Roadside debris works - March 2025
Roadside debris works are underway in and around Raglan. Burnt debris and hazardous trees felled during the February 2024 fire response are being removed from eight roads:
- Drews Lane
- Lucardies Road
- Aherns Road
- Ferntree Gully Road
- Back Raglan Road
- Tip Road
- Red Hill Road
- Graveyard Hill Road
No pruning or removal of standing trees is scheduled to take place during these operations.
Debris will be processed into firewood and woodchips for locals to collect from Raglan Recreation Reserve from Monday 24 March.
Environmental, biodiversity and cultural values are managed during these operations.
These roads will remain open with traffic management in place.
For your safety, please take care where machinery is operating and obey all signage.
Enquiries can be directed to the DEECA Customer Contact Centre – 136 186 or customer.service@deeca.vic.gov.au.