Road to Recovery Continues
Published on 14 April 2020
The bushfire clean-up and recovery in the Snowy Valleys remains a priority as Council implements social distancing measures and looks at different ways to support affected communities through outreach.
CEO Matthew Hyde said Council remained committed to the bushfire recovery process and was working closely with the Office of Emergency Management and Laing O'Rourke to help facilitate messaging and implementation of the Government’s clean-up program.
“Council was happy to help enable a recent Laing O'Rourke webinar which provided an overview of the opportunities that existed for local contractors to become involved in the Snowy Valleys clean-up operation,” he said.
“We also know that Laing O’Rourke has begun reaching out via phone to those impacted property owners who registered for the clean-up, and we understand that works are scheduled to commence in the coming weeks, which is great news.”
Council’s bushfire recovery team is also committed to keeping in contact with affected residents and have made changes to ensure they can still deliver support and assistance within the COVID-19 restrictions.
“We are still sending out the weekly electronic Recovery Bulletin and have now also made hard copies available in local supermarkets, chemists and news agencies,” said Mr Hyde. “The team also holds a regular interview with the local radio stations, Sounds of the Mountains and Radio Upper Murray and has increased its online messaging via facebook and council’s website”.
Council’s own clean-up work is also continuing with replacement of damaged guide posts and signs on local roads and the removal of tree debris.
Executive Director of Infrastructure Heinz Kausche said while replacement of signs and guide posts on the Batlow Road, Jingellic Road and the Alpine Way come under the responsibility of Transport for NSW there was still a huge amount of local road infrastructure to replace.
“Our teams are currently undertaking the replacement of approximately 4,000 damaged guide posts on Council maintained roads and will soon start the process of replacing 66 road signs,” he said.
Mr Kausche said council was also working to remove over 10,000 m3 of tree debris from road corridors and clear some 75 culverts and drains as a result of heavy rain during the fire period.
“Council is developing a resourcing plan for the safe removal and disposal of felled trees on road corridors and we are exploring opportunities to partner with other councils who can provide specialist staff and machinery,” he said.
“We are also looking at possible partnerships with local hardwood mills and firewood providers”.
Council has implemented COVID-19 health measures for its outdoor teams including social distancing when travelling and working in shared areas, wherever possible and practicing good hygiene.
For the latest on Council’s Bushfire Recovery efforts and information on recovery resources visit www.svc.nsw.gov.au/recovery