Council manages and maintains approximately 2000 hectares of open spaces throughout the Alpine Shire.
Streetsweeping
Council operates one street sweeper.
The street sweeper operates regularly, sweeping each main township as often as possible.
The street sweeper operators start in the earlier hours of the morning so that the streets and gutters are cleaned before vehicles start to park along roads, carparks and streets.
Naturally, the routine streetsweeping schedule can be affected by mechanical breakdowns, staff absences and wet weather.
Autumn
Autumn is a challenging time for the sweeper, as leaves continue to drop for up to 3-4 months.
The sweeper can sweep a street or gutter in the morning and by the early afternoon it can appear as if nothing has been swept.
Our street sweeper operators work constantly to keep the streets clear but we really appreciate when residents can help by:
- Only raking the leaves from the naturestrip into the gutter. Leaves from inside your private property need to be disposed of by you, and not collected and spread along the gutter.
- Making sure the leaves in the gutter are spread out evenly so the streetsweeper can vaccum them up without any blockages.
- Report any large gutter blockages to Council.
Parks and Gardens
Council manages and maintains a number of parks, gardens, reserves and other open spaces for community and visitor use.
Regular inspections of parks and gardens are undertaken and necessary maintenance is scheduled based on intervention levels.
Playgrounds
Council manages and maintains various playgrounds with a large variety of equipment for children of all ages for community and visitor use. Regular inspections of parks and gardens are undertaken and necessary maintenance is scheduled based on the Australian Standards for Playground Equipment.
Trees
Trees are an important and very significant asset. Many of our towns are renowned for their trees, particularly for the displays of colour that occur during autumn. Inspections and maintenance of trees are undertaken on both a planned and reactive basis depending on the requirements of individual and stands of trees.
Any works that may impact Council managed trees require a Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) to be established. The necessity for a TPZ will be outlined as a condition in an Occupation of and/or Works on Council Land Permit which must be obtained before conducting any works or occupation of Council-managed land.
For more details regarding tree protection, please download Council's Tree Protection Guide.
Tree Management Plan
Trees are a highly valued asset and significantly contribute to the amenity of towns across the Alpine Shire. Like any other asset, trees need to be managed effectively to maximise their benefits and minimise adverse effects.
The Alpine Shire Council Tree Management Plan 2021 provides principles and describes process for addressing:
- Tree management
- Risk identification and mitigation
- Tree inspections and assessments
- Tree selection and planting
- Tree removal
- Tree protection
- Infrastructure protection
- Electric line clearance
- Tree maintenance
Weeds
Weeds pose a serious threat to agriculture and biodiversity in the Alpine Shire. Many species have the potential to reduce agricultural productivity, displace native species, threaten social values and contribute significantly to land and water degradation.
Council has prepared a Weed Management Strategy in order to prioritise important species to control. It is the responsibility of all land managers to control weeds.
Managing weeds on roadsides
Roadsides provide a ready means for invasive plants and pest animals to spread throughout the Shire, threatening parks, forests and rural land asset values.
The Roadside Weeds and Pests Program prioritises the management of ‘regionally prohibited’ and ‘regionally controlled’ weeds and pest animals on rural roadsides in line with State and regional priorities.
Further information on weed management in Victoria can be found on the Agriculture Victoria website.
Chestnut Blight
Chestnut blight is a disease of chestnut and oak trees that is present in Victoria. It is caused by a fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica) that grows underneath the bark, resulting in degraded or dead tissue (cankers) that slowly develop and surround the infected trunk, stem or branch. Once a tree is infected, the prognosis is bleak – the tree will eventually die.
In Australia, chestnut blight primarily infects chestnut and oak trees. These are referred to as “host” trees.
Chestnut blight poses a significant risk to Australia’s chestnut industry, approximately 70 per cent of which is produced in Victoria. Once present, the disease can remain dormant for many years before symptoms become visible, making it very difficult to detect and eradicate.
The Industry Biosecurity Officer (Chestnuts Australia Incorporated) can provide support to chestnut growers across Australia regarding surveillance, suspected detections and management of chestnut blight. Growers are encouraged to contact the Industry Biosecurity Officer for further advice.
All chestnut growers are asked to remain vigilant and survey their chestnut and oak trees every three months for signs of this devastating disease.
If you suspect that you have found chestnut blight, report it immediately to:
- The Industry Biosecurity Officer (Chestnuts Australia Incorporated) at ibo@chestnutsaustralia.com.au (if you are located within Victoria), or
- The Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 (if you are located outside Victoria).
Learn more at the Agriculture Victoria website.
Collection of Firewood
Free firewood collection permit is available from Council; to collect fallen timber from local roads. Email your completed form to info@alpineshire.vic.gov.au.
Firewood collection from forest and bush; you can collect firewood from designated areas without a permit.
More information is available on the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning website.
