The Victorian government has stepped in to expedite the clean-up of storm debris in Mirboo North, ensuring that any valuable green waste recovered benefits the local community.

Since the storms on 13 February 2024, emergency services have been on the ground in Mirboo North, removing fallen and hazardous trees, opening roads, and supporting the restoration of critical infrastructure.

However, the volumes of debris collected and stored have reached capacity, requiring immediate action to process it.

VIC Minister for the Environment Steve Dimopoulos announced today that extra facilities will be established to process storm debris, with all proceeds from the sale of any by-products to be reinvested back into the community.

Emergency Recovery Victoria will set up up to eight new facilities across South Gippsland in partnership with local councils.

These facilities are expected to process more than 300 tonnes of sawlog, 3000 tonnes of firewood, and fine green waste that can make 4000 cubic metres of mulch.

The Clean-up Recovery Taskforce will coordinate this work to ensure nothing goes to waste, with green waste being reused and turned into products like firewood and mulch.

Any profits generated from the sale of these products will be reinvested in the community through the Mirboo North and District Community Foundation.

The Mirboo North and District Community Foundation is a community-run organisation that provides funding for local initiatives and not-for-profit organisations, as well as making funds available for community members in need.

DEECA is collaborating with mills and forest contractors to ensure that high-value timber and other green waste can be processed locally.

Storm-impacted locals can still dispose of their green waste without charge, courtesy of gate fee rebates and the waiving of waste levy fees at local processing sites.

Dimopoulos stated: “We’ve provided immediate support to help clean up storm-affected areas and will ensure all the profits generated from the sale of green waste by-products like firewood are reinvested into the Mirboo North community.”

Acting Minister for Emergency Services Enver Erdogan added: “Our new facilities will create extra capacity to manage the surge in green waste across the state for the next six months and set a new standard for how we manage green waste following storms.”