Tree Recovery Project
What we’re doing
Council received funding through the Federal Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants, this grant funding has enabled council to continue tree safety works in the Cudlee Creek fire scar. The works aim to remove dead and damaged material from trees affect by the bushfire to help mitigate the risk to public.
How much it is going to cost
The funding received was for $400K to manage trees within the fire scar.
Timeframes
The works will be undertaken from July 2022 to October 2022.
The Progress
Works have now been completed using the $400K Federal grant. The $400k covered the vast majority of hazard reduction and aesthetic recovery tree works aside the arterial road network in the fire scar area. The works were divided into crews working Harrogate, Mail and Pyrites Roads with funding also stretching to Hollows and Range Roads.
Council is now undertaking a further assessment of the area and seeking further funding for other remedial works.
Background
The Cudlee Creek fire affected a total area of 278,838 ha of this 7,669ha were in the Mount Barker District Council area, equating to 32% of the fire ground and 12.8% of the Mount Barker District. During the fires there was extensive infrastructure and natural asset damaged that occurred. Council has been working since the fires to mitigate the ongoing risks that are presented from roadside and reserve trees damaged during the fires. Some tree and shrubs have been left to see what would regenerate post the fires, unfortunately in some instances this has not occurred and has thus required ongoing works to be undertaken.