Overview
A severe storm affected areas in South Gippsland in February 2024. This resulted in hazardous debris on public and private land, and damage to properties, infrastructure and roads.
Works are now complete to remove storm debris from severely impacted areas where an increased bushfire risk has been identified.
Why are these works happening?
We have an obligation to ensure the safety of communities and the protection of the environment from the risks of bushfires.
The 2024 storm impacted around 768 hectares in Mirboo North — approximately 288 hectares were severely impacted.
It's essential to manage storm debris and hazardous trees, which can:
- increase bushfire intensity
- block access for community, and vital firefighting personnel and equipment.
The severely impacted areas were assessed for fire risk. We have not removed all debris that has fallen during the storms, only what is necessary to reduce bushfire and other safety risks.
In December 2024, prior to storm recovery works, a fire started in a storm impacted area of the Mirboo North Regional Park. It took first response fire fighters 3 times longer than usual to construct control lines due to fallen debris from the February 2024 storm.
Without these storm recovery works, we would not be able to keep our communities in and around Mirboo North safe.
These are not commercial timber harvesting operations.
What work has taken place?
We have removed or relocated coarse woody debris along roads and forested areas within nine severely impacted sites.
Where is the debris going?
Storm debris from the 9 identified sites has either been rearranged to enhance firefighter access, or removed if not safe to leave.
Any removed debris has been made available to the community in firewood collection areas or for other community uses.
Any material that is not suitable for community use may be heaped into piles and burnt at a later date.
More information
For further information, including maps and other storm debris works across the state, please contact the DEECA Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or email mirboonorthstormdebris@deeca.vic.gov.au.
Page last updated: 12/06/25