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Emergency callouts keep Outdoor Maintenance Unit busy

Data collected from Latrobe City’s Outdoor Maintenance Unit over the past three months has shown a significantly large number of emergency callouts to deal with fallen trees and branches over an unusually windy period.

By Latrobe City Council - 7th November 2003 - Back to News

Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Graeme Middlemiss said there had been 123 callouts for the year to date, and 53 of these had been received in the last three months.

"On one very bad day, there were 13 callouts, with a gigantic fifty-metre mountain ash falling on the Grand Ridge Road near Boolarra at 4.30pm on a Friday afternoon adding to the already hectic day. That was very challenging for the Tree Crew," Cr Middlemiss said.

Latrobe City’s Parks Officer, John Ruyg said that traditionally, August, September and October were the windy months for the area, but this season had been exceptional.

"Many parks and reserves throughout the municipality have been affected by either fallen limbs or entire trees coming down. This will take some time to clear up because the recent rain has soaked the soil, making it very difficult to access the areas with the required machinery. Clean up works are expected to take until the middle of November, and that is providing we get a few sunny days to dry out the soil," Mr Ruyg explained.

Cr Middlemiss added that Latrobe City Council is responsible for over three-million trees along rural roadsides and over 70,000 trees within urban areas.

"The Outdoor Maintenance Unit does a great job looking after these trees and conducts the after-hours service with pride and determination in often very difficult conditions.

"Should the windy weather continue, I urge residents to take care when walking or driving. Trees can cause serious damage to both persons and assets with around 100 deaths per year due to falling trees in Victoria alone," Cr Middlemiss concluded.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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