The Victorian Government’s $7 million program for the removal of fire-damaged and hazardous trees in high risk and priority areas in state forests and parks is about to get underway in the Snowy District.
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The statewide Hazardous Tree Removal Project began in 2014, will continue through to 2017 and targets strategic roads, fire breaks, recreation sites, dams and helipads.
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) district manager, Craig Chapman said, “The Snowy District in far East Gippsland was affected by major fires in 2002/03 and in 2013/ 2014, causing a broad scale impact.”
“Trees that are either damaged or killed in fires can weaken and fall, posing a risk to forest users and firefighters, “ Mr Chapman said.
“Safety is vital for people visiting our forest and parks and for the people who work there, particularly our firefighters undertaking fire suppression or planned burns.”
“This project focuses on affected roads and tracks, high usage locations and areas of greatest risk in the Snowy District. Some of the most significant dangers are from hazardous and fire-damaged trees along our roadsides.”
“Between April and June 2016, staff from DELWP and Parks Victoria, working with private contractors will remove fire-damaged trees alongside key strategic roads in the Snowy River National Park and Orbost State Forest.”
"Assessments for significant biodiversity, Native Title, cultural heritage and non-indigenous heritage values at the site have been undertaken in planning for these works, and values identified will be protected . Regenerating vegetation will be protected as far as practicable in the safe conduct of the works."
“Fire-damaged trees are treated in a number of ways: by removing the tree altogether, by removing dangerous limbs, erecting warning signs for public land users or potentially realigning parts of roads and tracks where dangerous trees can’t be removed.”
The majority of the felled timber will remain on the forest floor to provide fauna habitat and nutrients to the soil as the trees decompose, while still allowing space for the growth of vegetation.
In state forest areas, residual produce not required by VicForests will be made available as firewood for local domestic collection. The community will be advised of this via local media.
There will be some road closures as part of the works; however Parks Victoria will continue to consult with park users to try and reduce disruption to park access. Check DELWP’s Public Access Map (PAM) at www.delwp.vic.gov.au and Park Victoria’s website at http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/safety for road closures.
The risk of falling trees can never be eliminated and the project will not be able to address all the safety risks from fire damaged trees in all areas. Everyone should be aware of the risk of falling trees and branches under windy conditions in fire damaged areas. Remember to look up and live.
