The clean up in Indigo Shire Council after severe storms ripped through trees earlier this month is well underway and measures to remove timber from roadsides and properties are in full swing.

Residents are able to collect the timber from designated roads to use as firewood and urban residents have the option to use the former Yackandandah transfer station to dispose of storm related rubbish.

Indigo Shire Council Operations Manager Mr David Runnalls said firewood collection from a number of medium and/or high conservation roadsides was being allowed due to the significant amount of timber downed in the recent storm event.

He said any collection of firewood from a road reserve required a firewood collection permit as the timber had originated from public land but some exceptions were being made if timber was across fence lines.

“Council cannot provide permission to anyone wishing to collect timber from a main road, such as the Beechworth-Wodonga Rd and permission should be sought from VicRoads on 131170,” he said.

“The use of the former Yackandandah transfer station so far has been successful and we are extremely pleased with the way residents have used the facility and placed the green waste in an orderly way.

“The timber collected from the roadsides by Council staff at present will also be made available to the community for firewood at a later date.

“Council is working with the Department of Sustainability and Environment to ensure the roads are cleared and the timber is disposed of correctly while allowing the community access to firewood.”

Roads that Council will be allowing firewood collection until January 02, 2006 include:

• Twist Creek Rd from McIntosh Lane to Bullock Gully Rd
• Bells Flat Rd from Tarrant Lane to Back Creek Rd
• Kirby Flat Rd (entire road)
• Back Creek Rd from Keeble Way to Myrtleford Rd

Those collecting must make way for any field crews undertaking works on the road reserve and are only to take the downed timber (not old, dry, hollows).

In addition to this measure the former Yackandandah Transfer Station in Steel Road will be open from 8.30am - 4.30pm until Monday December 19 (then reviewed) for Urban residents.

Only the following will be accepted as a result of the storm in and around Yackandandah on Friday 2/12/05.

• Green Waste- branches, trees, timber etc.
• Metal - Steel from damaged shed etc.
• No other rubbish will be accepted.

The Transfer Station will be unmanned, residents will need to use the Green Waste area of the Transfer station.  If they have steel they will need to use the lower part of the Transfer Station.