Continues in The Hills Shire
The Hills Shire Council is currently working through a backlog of more than 1300 requests to clear fallen trees, branches and storm debris after damaging storms hit the area in late December.
Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Kellyville and West Pennant Hills were hardest hit, followed by Rouse Hill, Dural, Annangrove, Box Hill, Maraylya and Wisemans Ferry.
General Manager of The Hills Shire Council, Michael Edgar said storm damage clean-up is continuing throughout The Hills to ensure Council owned facilities, including parks, recreational facilities, playgrounds, as well as roads and nature strips are clear of debris.
“Our maintenance teams and contractors are working as hard as they can to get through the massive backlog of requests,” Mr Edgar said.
“It will take some time to reach all Council owned properties, parks and along roadways, but we have cleared all blocked roads and removed all high-risk safety related debris from roads and parks and are nearing storm clean-up completion for nature strips in the suburb of Baulkham Hills – west of Windsor Road – which is good news for residents.
“Our priority remains to collect vegetation from nature strips in the coming weeks, focussing on urban collections and highly populated areas. Once the nature strips are clear, we will turn our attention to clearing debris in our parks and public spaces that have been impacted.
“To help speed-up the cleaning process, we are asking residents to assist Council wherever possible, either by placing small amounts of storm debris in their green waste bins for collection, or by cutting and bundling green waste and booking a kerbside clean-up via Council’s website at www.thehills.nsw. gov.au,” Mr Edgar added.
Mr Edgar also expressed his appreciation to emergency services who have been working non-stop to secure homes, and remove fallen trees and branches.
“The Hills SES has been fully operational day and night since the beginning of December with more than 1160 requests for assistance. In addition, Council received more than 1600 calls for help,” Mr Edgar said.
“It is never an easy task working in extreme weather conditions and during the Christmas and New Year break. Thank you to all our emergency service crews who gave up their time with family and friends, forewent Christmas celebrations and returned from their holidays to assist with the storm clean-up.
“Your work is truly appreciated,” Mr Edgar added.
