Local Organisations Join Forces to Support Farmers in the Wake of Bush

Published on 25 February 2025

Southern Grampians Shire Council together with Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (GHCMA) and Bunnings Hamilton are working together to help support local farmers following the Grampians fires. 

A series of measures has been enacted to restore the quality of land and water following the recent fires. One measure that has seen significant success is the supply and installation of sediment traps around dams to stem contamination.  

Bushfires can strip away vegetation and damage soil, causing ash and sediment to wash into water sources when it rains. To protect water quality, sediment traps made from biodegradable coir logs have been implemented.  

Coir logs are an eco-friendly compressed coconut fibre that blends into the environment.

Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Dennis Heslin says the fires have taken an enormous toll on our local communities.

“At the end of January GHCMA begun working on properties in Mirranatwa, helping farmers restore their vital water sources. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with property owners expressing their heartfelt gratitude for the support. 

These traps filter out contaminants before they reach dams, are quick to install, and offer immediate help to affected farmers. They can also be reused as vegetation recovers, ensuring both sustainability and practicality. 

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of over 1,000 firefighters and volunteers, we’ve seen the emergency bushfire activity within the region reduce. The recovery for our tourism, business and farming community will be felt for a long time but the strength of our community shines through in every act of generosity and collaboration,” concluded Cr Heslin.  

A huge thank you to Bunnings Hamilton for your generous donations and to the GHCMA team for all your hard work. Together, we're supporting our farmers and ensuring a sustainable future for our community. 

For any future community requests and enquiries, or if you have items you wish to contribute to this project, please contact Lisa McIntyre advance@bigpond.com.

Council would like to acknowledge and thank everyone who has shown and continues to show their support for those impacted.

To stay informed and up to date with all council news, subscribe to our Enews today.