Fire-affected hazard tree removal works to continue

Published on 13 November 2026

Mount Alexander Shire Council will begin the second phase of fire-affected tree works in Harcourt and surrounding areas on Monday 16 November, helping to improve safety and support ongoing recovery from the January fires.

Following further assessments by arborists in August, Council identified 323 fire-affected trees that require work. This includes 280 trees that need to be removed and 43 trees that require pruning or other treatment to reduce safety risks.

Mayor Toby Heydon acknowledged that the removal of fire-affected trees may be difficult for some residents.

"We know these trees are part of the landscape people know and love, and that seeing them removed will be upsetting for some." Cr Heydon said

"Unfortunately, further assessments have shown that a number of trees affected by the fire have since died or become unsafe.

"These works are needed to help protect residents and road users.

"Where it's safe and appropriate, we're also looking for ways to ensure these trees continue to play a role in the landscape. Some will be retained as habitat trees, while others will be placed within road reserves to support wildlife and help the natural environment recover."

Works will begin on roads within the Harcourt township, including Victoria Road, Station Street, Mills Road and Harmony Way, before moving to other affected roads in Harcourt, Sutton Grange, Walmer and Ravenswood.

The project is expected to be completed before 31 December 2026.

Crews will operate between 6.00am and 6.00pm on weekdays using specialist equipment, including trucks, chippers, elevated work platforms and forestry machinery.

Traffic management will be in place throughout the works. Motorists should expect occasional delays due to lane closures and, in some locations, short-term road closures while crews are working.

Roads that may have temporary closures include:

• Gaaschs Road between Symes Road and White Gum Road
• Craigie Street between Eagles Road and Reservoir Road
• Leafy Lane between Eagles Road and Douglas Lane
• Elys Lane between Eagles Road and Reservoir Road
• Douglas Lane between Elys Lane and Craigie Street
• Shady Lane between Leafy Lane and Craigie Street
• Coopers Road between Reservoir Road and Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road
• Richards Road between Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road and Faraday-Sutton Grange Road

Council asks motorists to follow traffic management directions and allow extra travel time when travelling through work areas.

Supporting environmental recovery

While some trees need to be removed for safety reasons, Council is taking steps to support environmental recovery, while carefully managing bushfire risk at every step of the process.

Some fire-affected trees will be retained as standing habitat stags to provide shelter and nesting hollows for native wildlife. In these cases, arborists remove the dangerous upper crown and branches, leaving the solid trunk standing.

Other hazardous trees will be removed and processed, with larger logs retained within road reserves to protect regenerating native vegetation and provide habitat for animals, insects and other native species.

Community information session

Council will host a community information session on the fire-affected tree works at 6.00pm on Wednesday 18 November at the Harcourt Bowls Club. Residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about the project and ask questions.

Free mulch for community use

Branches removed during the works will be processed into mulch. Mulch will be made available to residents in Harcourt at the end of December, with more details to come.

Council thanks residents for their patience, understanding and continued resilience as recovery from the January fires continues.

For more information, please contact the Bushfire Recovery Team on 03 5471 1700.