Storm felled trees up-cycled into stakes for planting programs

Published on 10 February 2022

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is up-cycling trees felled by the June 2021 storm, milling them into stakes to boost Council planting programs.

Council uses the stakes in botanic gardens, parks, reserves, and street tree planting programs to help newly planted trees grow by giving them support and protection, leading to a greater chance of survival into maturity.

Shane Walden, Director Assets and Operations, said stakes are a vital element for any tree planting program.

Usually, each stake costs approximately $4.10; therefore for every 1,000 stakes milled from the storm’s green waste, there is a savings of $4,100 for council.

“This saving means Council can redirect funds into other areas of recovery and restoration. As well as helping us rebuild the natural environment, by creating stakes from storm waste, there is a financial benefit for the community,” he said.

Council’s flagship facility in Romsey, run in partnership with Bushfire Recovery Victoria, continues to process green waste from storms and turn it into usable products.

“The Romsey facility has allowed us to not only process storm waste faster, and on an enormous scale, it also enables the up-cycling of waste into products which create a benefit for our community.”

“As well stakes for its tree-planting program, Macedon Ranges Shire Council has delivered stakes to the City of Greater Bendigo and Mitchell Shire Council.”

“By sharing stakes with the communities of Greater Bendigo and the Mitchell Shire, they also share in the sustainability and financial benefits,” Mr Walden said.