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Benalla Rural City Council continues clean-up after devastating storm

Big mess: Benalla sustained substantial damage during the freak storm on Saturday, January 14. Photo by Contributed

Following the recent storm that caused damage across the city, Benalla Rural City Council, with assistance from North East Tree Services, Smith’s Tree Services and Aboressence, went about the task of cleaning up large amounts of debris.

By Friday, January 20, council’s outdoor crews and contractors had completed the clean-up of public spaces.

A spokesperson said council’s priority was to ensure the general safety and functionality of the road and path network in accordance with council’s Road Management Plan.

Devastating: Despite lasting less than 20 minutes, the freak storm on January 14 brought down trees and branches across Benalla. Photo by Contributed

“As part of the clean-up effort, Moira Reserve has been closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic and is being used as a processing point for the green waste collected by council staff and the contractors,” the spokesperson said.

“Moira Reserve will remain closed for another two to three weeks and residents are asked to stay away until it is made safe for the public and reopened.”

Avoid: Moira Reserve will remain closed until further notice. Photo by Contributed

Council has also announced an extension to the free drop-off of storm-related green and hard waste to the Benalla Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre. Opening hours will, however, revert back to noon to 3.45pm daily.