Fire-damaged trees help fuel recovery in Terip Terip

On a quiet stretch of road in Terip Terip, the whine of a chainsaw cuts through the bush. Damaged trees are being collected, cut and split into free firewood for local households – helping the community recover from the January 2026 Victorian bushfires.

Stuart Russell from Murrindindi Shire Council said the initiative grew from the roadside clean-up.

‘We had about 450 km of impacted roads so it's about 900 km of roadside. We needed a central spot so we could keep moving forward with the roadside clearing,’ Stuart said.

Funded through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) the firewood processing project is helping communities recover. It makes practical use of timber that might otherwise go to waste.

Households affected by the bushfires are given priority, including people who lost homes, sheds or their firewood supply.

For local resident Lyn Burleigh, the firewood means much more than a practical resource.

‘All our stock on our own properties, which are fallen trees from years before, that have been sitting in our paddocks, you always plan, well that tree is for next year and this tree is for 2 years, but all that is gone. The fire just burnt it. So, to be able to have this available to us is like, it's such a privilege.’

The project is also creating local jobs while supporting the clean-up. Local contractors are processing the timber, and some of the firewood is being distributed through Rotary to help residents who need it most.

Local arborist Dylan Anderson said the community had supported the work from the beginning.

‘I love working up around here. Just the community, they're all just genuine country people. They've all been super grateful ...The feedback's amazing.’

For Lyn, the firewood is also a reminder that recovery takes time.

‘Recovery isn't a 6-month journey, it's not 9 months, it's not 12 months; it's probably a couple of years. This pile of firewood is a reminder that you know there is a long-term vision to keep us supported through programs like this. It's good.’