Storm debris removal in Silvan Reservoir

Melbourne Water is committed to providing the community with a safe and quality water supply. We have nearly completed work in the Silvan Reservoir closed catchment to clear a large quantity of debris following the 2021 storms. This reduces the risk of bushfire in the catchment and the surrounding region. Replanting and hand-seeding of the affected areas is commencing in early 2024.

Background

The 2021 storms, which impacted 2 million hectares of public land across 34 local government areas, left behind almost 3,000 hectares of storm debris across state forest, national park and protected public land. Approximately 60 hectares of land inside Silvan Reservoir was directly impacted, resulting in an unprecedented amount of debris.

Most of our water supply reservoirs are in protected catchments, which are surrounded by natural bushland. This also means they are susceptible to bushfires, which can pose a risk to the quality of our drinking water supply if a bushfire occurs. Reducing the fuel load within the catchment area, including removing storm debris, helps to protect the Silvan reservoir, which provides 70 to 80% of Melbourne's drinking water.

Aerial image of fallen trees on the land surrounding Silvan Reservoir — Aerial image of Silvan Reservoir site before debris collection.

Aerial image of showing cleared trees on the land surrounding Silvan Reservoir — Aerial image of Silvan Reservoir site after debris collection. - images by Lauren Kinsey

Repurposing fallen Silvan timber

The project's aim has been to not waste anything and only remove debris that presents a significant fire risk. The majority of fallen debris has been left to decompose naturally. Fallen trees that can provide habitat for native animals have been retained.

Removed timber is being utilised where possible, including for community projects, firewood and commercial timber products for local construction supply. We are working with local community project Treasuring Our Trees (TOT) who has refashioned fallen Silvan timber into beautiful and useful new purposes such as yarning circles and gardens for local schools.

Media release on repurposing Silvan timber, 19 Dec 2023

Yarning circle, Wandin North Primary School — Yarning circle made with local fallen timber by TOT for Wandin North Primary School

Kitchen garden with local timber, Wandin North Primary School — Kitchen garden beds and fence made with local fallen timber by TOT for Wandin North Primary School

The clearing of debris and hazardous trees from the catchment will enable a safe and rapid response for fire crews in the event of fire.

Now that the debris has been removed or repurposed, we are commencing replanting and hand-seeding to regenerate the affected areas of the catchment. Thousands of native seeds have been collected from trees within the Silvan Reservoir catchment to be used in the regeneration stage of this project.

Close-up of habitat log at Silvan Reservoir — Fallen trees that can provide animal habitat have been retained.

Pile of cut logs at Silvan Reservoir — Excess timber debris has been assessed for high-end uses.

What are the potential impacts?

Local residents may notice an increase in vehicle movements around the reservoir as a result of this important project.

FAQs

What is happening in Silvan Reservoir?: We are clearing the large quantity of debris inside the Silvan Reservoir catchment following the 2021 storms. Approximately 60 hectares of land inside Silvan Reservoir was directly impacted by the storms, resulting in an unprecedented amount of debris. Removing debris will reduce bushfire risk in the reservoir and help protect our water supply. Bushfires are a risk to our drinking water supply. Silvan Reservoir provides 70 to 80% of Melbourne’s drinking water so it’s essential that it’s protected from bushfires.
Is timber being removed?: Only hazardous trees and excess vegetation debris are being removed from the catchment. Fallen trees that are important for protecting biodiversity values such as habitat for native animals will be retained. Removed timber is being utilised where possible, including for community firewood and projects and commercial timber products for local construction supply. We are also working with community groups to provide timber for use in community projects, benefiting local playgrounds and schools. The project’s aim is to not waste anything. It is important we reduce the fuel load in the reservoir as bushfires are a risk to our drinking water supply. The clearing of debris and hazardous trees will also enable a safe and rapid response for fire crews in the event of fire.
Is the water supply at risk?: Most of our water supply reservoirs are in protected catchments, which are surrounded by natural bushland. This also means they are susceptible to bushfires, which can pose a risk to the quality of our drinking water supply if a bushfire occurs. Reducing the fuel load within the catchment area, including removing storm debris, helps to protect the Silvan reservoir, which provides around 82% of Melbourne’s drinking water.
How is the forest affected? Will replanting occur?: Replanting and hand seeding with native plants to regenerate the affected areas of the catchment has commenced. Great care has been taken to plan a program that protects this important water catchment. We have collected around 50kg of seeds from trees within the catchment which we will use to re-sow the areas where the trees have fallen over. Some of these seeds have been supplied to local nurseries and community groups which are using them to grow seedlings. These native seedlings will be replanted as part of our regenerative works in the Silvan Reservoir catchment.

More information

For more information on the assessment of flora and fauna at Silvan Reservoir for this project, download the independent report at the link below. Please contact Melbourne Water if you have any questions about the information contained in this report.

Silvan Reservoir Storm Damage Remediation Project: Flora and fauna assessment DOCX|30.8 MB