Stephen Hodgetts contacted The Courier concerned Ballarat City Council was not taking the same steps as Moorabool Shire Council to ensure fire damaged landscape was rehabilitated to an acceptable standard.

The Courier toured an area of Pryors Road, Scotsburn maintained by Ballarat council. Enormous tree branches had not been piled up and were scattered along the side of the road.

The road seemed ungraded in sections and not safe, Mr Hodgetts said.

By contrast, a section of the road cared for by Moorabool Shire Council was neatly organised. Most of the trees had been cleared and the logs that did remain were neatly stacked.

The road has recently been re-surfaced. 

When contacted for comment by The Courier, Ballarat City Council general manager services Terry Demeo  said council would begin works to improve the area within the next two weeks. 

“I went to have a look and we decided to refresh our efforts,” Mr Demeo said.

“It is on track, absolutely.” 

Mr Demeo said there were two elements of the clean-up – resurfacing the road and addressing the dead logs. 

“We have seen what Moorabool has done and now we will catch up with them,” Mr Demeo said.

Mr Demeo said the result would be “slightly different” to Moorabool Shire’s response because the Ballarat controlled area was slightly more damaged. 

Moorabool Shire Council west ward councillor Tom Sullivan praised Ballarat for announcing its plans to commence works. 

“I’m glad to hear Ballarat is now properly equipped to move forward with the works at this time,” Cr Sullivan said.

Cr Sullivan said Moorabool council had completed its work on the fire damaged area a number of months ago. 

Mr Hodgetts praised Ballarat council’s response and said he would be “ecstatic” if the works started in the coming weeks. The work is expected to start before the end of the month.