Mirboo North storm recovery

Storm debris in Mirboo North

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 currently underway to reduce increased bushfire risk caused by the storm debris.

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 are being addressed for fire risk. We are not removing 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.

When and where will these works take place?

The works are currently underway and are planned to be finished by winter 2025.

There have been 9 sites identified for bushfire risk reduction works across the Mirboo North and Boolarra areas. They are in the following areas:

• Baths Road Reserve
• Mirboo North RP - Barktown Road (works completed April 2025)
• Mirboo North H13 BR – Thorpdale Road
• Strzelecki Baromi Block SF - Hoods Hill Road (works completed February 2025)

What work is planned?

We will be removing or relocating coarse woody debris along roads and forested areas within the 9 sites listed above.

There are likely to be long periods of machinery noise and activity during these works. Machinery will operate within South Gippsland Shire noise time restrictions.

Where road access for individual property owners may be impacted, we will engage directly with those property owners.

All private residences next to these work sites will be notified prior to works commencing.

Where is the debris going?

Storm debris from the nine identified sites will be either rearranged to enhance firefighter access, or removed if not safe to leave.

Any removed debris will be 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.