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Morwell reserve remains closed to the public following fireEric Lubcke Yarra Gum Conservation Reserve, at the end of Maryvale Crescent in Morwell, has been closed to the public following the recent bushfire. Sadly, around 70% of the reserve has been burnt, however, By Latrobe City - 20th February 2014 - Back to News Latrobe City Council will be doing additional works to help establish and support natural regrowth in the reserve. The emergency management team have also been working with the environment team to ensure that the future plantings are planned with bushfire risk in mind.
Latrobe City Council mayor, Councillor Sharon Gibson, said the reserve had been closed for public safety reasons.
"Once the immediate fire threat was over Latrobe City Council contractors entered the reserve to make any immediate hazards safe. This included removing fallen trees and branches from the fence lines, removing branches hanging from trees and making sure fallen trees and branches are left safely on the ground.
"The fire also damaged fences, gates, signs and pit lids and has made the soil unstable.
"In addition, SP Ausnet has marked 22 fire-damaged trees for lopping or removal along their power line in the reserve, with works likely to take place on Friday 14 February. SP Ausnet will mulch the foliage and small branches, and move any larger trunks and branches into the reserve to act as habitat. Where possible, SP Ausnet will only cut back the trees so that they are below power line height, leaving them standing to form hollows for wildlife.
"Once all potential risks have been removed the reserve can be reopened," Cr Gibson said.
"Over the next twelve months Latrobe City Council will undertake additional weed control to ensure natural regrowth has a chance to get established. Where there is limited natural regrowth it will be supplemented with revegetation planting in 2015. The emergency management team have also been working with the environment team to ensure that the future plantings are planned with bushfire risk in mind.
"We believe there will be a lot of natural regeneration of the understorey from the soil seed bank. The fire has also helped speed up the creation of some good sized tree hollows in the reserve. So whilst it is sad to see a reserve burnt to this extent there is a silver lining," Cr Gibson concluded.
Media Enquiries:
Cr Sharon Gibson, Latrobe City Mayor
Telephone: 0429 338 762
Cr Dale Harriman, Latrobe City Deputy Mayor
Telephone: 0419 399 093
Media Relations Office
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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