December 11, 2012
Council workers today removed a massive tree blocking a back road in the Brooklands – Maidenwell area after a complaint from a rural fire brigade officer.
The tree fell almost a month ago during the wild storms that whipped the South Burnett.
Grant Newson, from the Brooklands Rural Fire Brigade, told southburnett.com.au the tree completely blocked Brooklands-Peron Road, which links Kingaroy-Cooyar Road to Brooklands-Pimpimbudgee Road.
Access around the fallen tree was not possible because of a rock ledge on one side and a creek on the other, he said.
The tree was also too large to shift manually.
Mr Newson said he was concerned because the fallen tree had left some properties “landlocked”, limiting access for the rural fire brigade to cattleyards and other infrastructure.
There had also been a number of fires in the Brooklands-Pimpimbudgee area over the past few weeks.
Mr Newson said he had initially reported the roadblock to a council employee who told him that because the road was considered “not formed”, it was not maintained so the tree would not be removed.
However South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann contacted Mr Newson yesterday afternoon and told him he had requested the road be cleared as soon as possible.
This has now occurred.
“Thankfully the fire situation has calmed down and it’s great that the farmers can access their blocks,” Mr Newson said.
“I thanked the Mayor for all his help with this matter.”
[Photos: Grant Newson]
