Last night a significant storm carved a swathe of destruction through the Wattle Range landscape from Furner through to Millicent. High winds and heavy rains have damaged many homes and sheds, downed power lines and uprooted hundreds of significant trees. Crews worked through the night to clear roads and address any immediate risks to property owners but there is still a considerable amount of work to be done. We extend our sincere gratitude to the many and various members of our community who are assisting with this important work.

In response to the storm, Council has opened the Millicent Resource Recovery Centre until 4.00 pm today and then from 9.00 am until 4.00 pm daily through to this Sunday for construction, demolition, and general waste disposal. Waste vouchers will not be required over this period, however we would like to remind members of the community that we are unable to accept asbestos, cement sheeting or gyprock.

Unfortunately, the Millicent Resource Recovery Centre is already at maximum capacity for green waste, so we will be opening the Millicent Saleyards from 8.00 am until 4.00 pm to enable trailers loads of clean green waste to be disposed of in response to last night’s storm. We will keep both of these facilities open until at least this Sunday where we will reassess their ongoing need. This material will then be mulched and returned to the community as part of Council’s free mulch program.

Members of the community are reminded of the that impact that this storm has had on farm and residential property fences and that there is a heightened risk of stock and domestic animals potentially getting out and onto our public road network. They are also reminded that the fire season is active and that fire permits are required before any waste material can be burned. Council is working with landowners and contractors to find suitable locations to deposit larger trees that are unable to be mulched so they can be burned at a later date once the fire season has concluded.

Ben Gower
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

For further information on this release please contact:

Ben Gower, Chief Executive Officer
Email:                       council@wattlerange.sa.gov.au
Telephone:                (08) 8733 0900