Households in the Yarra Ranges will be able to put out bundled branches for collection in late November, as part of their bushfire season preparation.
From mid-November, properties in the Yarra Ranges will have a scheduled bundled branches collection, where up to three cubic metres of branches can be collected free of charge.
Branches must be tied with non-plastic string, with no more than 20 bundles of branches. Each limb or log should be no longer than 1.5 metres, and no wider than 200mm (20cm). This is to ensure they can be mulched effectively.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Jim Child, said the bundled branches collection was an easy way for properties to get rid of limbs, sticks and branches that pose a risk in a bushfire.
"We strongly recommend that community members prepare their properties for the bushfire season in early spring, by mowing lawns, clearing leaf litter and twigs, and trimming back vegetation that may have grown over the winter months," Cr Child said.
"For most households, our FOGO collections mean that organic materials can be put out in your kerbside bins, but we know that some of our rural properties will have a lot more sticks and branches than a wheelie bin can handle, alongside household food waste.
"The bundled branches collection means that we can get rid of some of the fine fuels that pose a risk if a fire starts. It's simple to tie up your bundles and get one big item ticked off your prep list.
"The hard waste collections from January-March will be a great chance to continue that preparedness by getting rid of any limbs dropped over December.
"I encourage everyone to check their collection date, start their property preparation and make the most of their collections."
Council will not collect timber, stumps or roots, soil or earth, untied branches, loose garden material, branches containing wires or nails, bamboo or vines.
Hard waste collections will begin in January and run until March, with each property having a scheduled collection week.
Collection weeks will vary from previous years, to better align with the Australia Day public holiday, so residents are encouraged to check their week online and to not put out rubbish early.
Find out your collection week at yarraranges.vic.gov.au/bundledbranches, and yarraranges.vic.gov.au/hardwaste.
