March 25th, 2023Turning wreckage to salavage: innovative storm waste facility nominated for excellence award
Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s flagship storm waste facility near Romsey has been nominated as a finalist in the 2023 LGPro Awards for Excellence.
The awards recognise the outstanding work undertaken by individuals and teams working in local government in Victoria, with the facility nominated in the Special Projects category, recognising projects demonstrating best practice or the pursuit of excellence in service delivery.
The facility was established in partnership with Bushfire Recovery Victoria (now Emergency Recovery Victoria) in response to the severe 2021 storms.
The site has processed more than 65,000 tonnes of tree and storm debris from the Macedon Ranges and other storm-affected areas throughout Victoria.
Upcycled product has been returned back to impacted communities in the form offree timber, fence posts, sleepers, stakes, firewood, fish habitat, mulch, sawdust and more; totalling over $29million in market value so far.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council CEO Bernie O’Sullivan said the facility’s approach set a new, collaborative standard for the sustainable processing of trees and storm debris.
“The site allowed us to clear and process storm debris faster and on an enormous scale,” he said.
“By reimagining storm-damaged timber as an opportunity to provide value for the community rather than simply as waste to be cleared, we assisted residents’ practical, environmental and social recovery.”
Winners of the 2023LGPro Awards for Excellence will be announced at the LGPro Conference event in Melbourne on May 25.
