Open Up Overgrown Land. Improve Access, Views & Property Usability.
Forestry mulching and regrowth management for lifestyle blocks and acreage properties across the Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula, Otways and broader south-west Victoria.
Preparing for summer? Now's the time to get overgrown vegetation and fuel loads under control.
Otway Forestry Mulching is a family-run operation based in Mount Duneed, providing forestry mulching and vegetation management for lifestyle properties and acreage across the Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula, Otways and broader south-west Victoria.
Our Services
From forestry mulching to fuel-load reduction, we provide practical land management across southwest Victoria.
Forestry Mulching
Mulch suitable vegetation on site, with the scope and passes matched to the property.
Learn moreFire Safety & Fuel Load Reduction
Manage vegetation and fuel loads before fire season.
Learn moreFirebreaks & Access Tracks
Make sure emergency vehicles can reach your home and fire has nowhere to run.
Learn moreLand Clearing Services
Reclaim suitable overgrown paddocks, boundaries and access areas across the Surf Coast, Bellarine, Otways and south-west Victoria.
Learn moreBlackberry, Gorse & Invasive Species Removal
Take back land lost to blackberry and gorse, and give native plants room to recover.
Learn moreStorm Damage Cleanup
Get your access back fast after storms bring down trees and block tracks.
Learn moreCommercial & Large-Scale Projects
Professional land clearing for developers, agricultural operations, and commercial landowners. Capability statements available.
Learn moreProperty Manager Services
Reliable contractor for body corporates and multi-property portfolios. Annual contracts. 24-48hr quotes.
Learn moreThoughtful vegetation management for lifestyle properties, bush blocks and acreage
Why Choose Forestry Mulching?
Open up priority areas of your property and improve access through suitable regrowth. The mulcher processes material on site; denser growth may need repeat passes, and ground impact depends on the terrain and machine movements.
- No burn piles or smoke
- Ground impact depends on terrain and machine movements
- Mulch left on site; follow-up may be part of the plan
- Fuel-load reduction & property preparation
- Flexible mulching to suit the vegetation and site
- Plan for follow-up weed control or planting where needed
See the Difference for Yourself
One day of mulching. One property transformed.
Dense tea tree removed in one day — Forrest, Colac Otway Shire
One of the most satisfying outcomes is when landowners rediscover views or parts of their property that have been hidden behind years of regrowth.
Meet Lachy
G'day, I'm Lachy.
I'm the owner-operator of Otway Forestry Mulching, working with property owners across the Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula, Otways and broader south-west Victoria, including suitable rural and acreage projects around Geelong.
I help people manage overgrown land, improve access and get more use out of their properties.
I love being outdoors and enjoying Victoria's beautiful landscapes. It keeps me mindful of the environments we work in and the care they deserve.
For me, forestry mulching isn't about clearing everything. It's about understanding what you want to achieve, retaining established trees and desirable vegetation where appropriate, and taking a practical, environmentally considered approach. It also means planning what comes next — whether that's replanting with native species, ongoing slashing to manage regrowth, or targeted spraying where it's appropriate and permitted.
When you get in touch, you'll be dealing directly with me, from our first conversation and property assessment through to completing the work.
Common Jobs We Help With
Acreage Maintenance Plans
1-2 visits per year to keep your property safe, accessible and under control.
Many properties need a larger first mulching job to properly open up the land. But once that initial work is done, most owners find they only need occasional maintenance visits to stay on top of regrowth — keeping the property looking and functioning at its best year-round.
- Fuel-load tidy up before summer
- Fence line + access track maintenance
- Blackberry/gorse control follow-ups
- Priority booking + predictable budgeting
How It Works
We walk your property together
Free assessment of what needs doing and how often.
You get a simple annual plan
Clear scope, predictable cost, scheduled before fire season.
We come back each year
Priority booking means your property stays on top of things, not playing catch-up.
Our Equipment
Purpose-built machinery for efficient, low-impact land clearing
Kubota SVL97-2
Tracked loader for working across suitable terrain; turning and site conditions can still disturb the ground.
Fecon Bull Hog
High-performance forestry mulcher head with carbide cutting teeth
Dense Vegetation & Small Trees
Capable of managing dense vegetation and selected small trees up to around 200mm diameter, depending on species, density and terrain
Rubber Tracks
Compact tracked machine for maneuverability in tight spaces
Government & commercial works
Field capability. Professional reporting.
Specialist vegetation management across Western Victoria, backed by Groundcover — our purpose-built digital field reporting system for site records, measured quantities, photographic evidence and completion reporting.
Groundcover field reporting
Clear records from site to completion.
See how project details, work records, photographs and completion information are brought together for government and commercial work.
Learn more about GroundcoverWhy Property Owners Trust Us
$20M Public Liability Coverage
Fully insured for your peace of mind
Fire Safety & Fuel-Load Reduction
Support practical property preparation
Family-Run, Locally Based
Supporting local southwest Victoria
24-48 Hour Quote Turnaround
Fast, reliable responses to your enquiries
Clients We Service
From private landowners to councils and commercial operators
Residential
Private properties & lifestyle blocks
Rural & Farms
Agricultural land & pasture management
Commercial
Developers, builders & contractors
Property Managers & Body Corporates
Reliable contractor for multi-property maintenance and annual fire break contracts
Councils
Local government & public land
Parks & Reserves
Conservation & recreation areas
Traditional Owner Groups
Available for subcontracting on cultural land management projects
Open to Subcontracting Partnerships
Looking to partner with Traditional Owner corporations and Registered Aboriginal Parties on land management projects. Equipment and operator available for Parks Victoria, DEECA, and council contracts.
Where We Work
Our primary areas are the Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula and Otways, with suitable rural and acreage work across broader south-west Victoria.
Surf Coast Shire
Including Torquay, Jan Juc, Anglesea and more
Colac Otway Shire
Including Apollo Bay, Marengo, Skenes Creek and more
City of Greater Geelong
Including Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula
Corangamite Shire
Including Camperdown, Princetown, Timboon
Golden Plains Shire
Including Bannockburn, Teesdale, Meredith
City of Ballarat
Including Ballarat, Buninyong, Creswick
What Our Clients Say
Feedback from landowners and trade partners across the Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula, Otways and broader south-west Victoria.
"We had some fire safety work done before summer and were happy with how it turned out. Lachy explained what needed doing and didn't overdo it. The property looks tidier and feels safer without losing its bush feel. Easy to deal with and would use again."
James R.
Bellbrae, VIC
"Our block hadn't been maintained properly for a long time and we needed help getting it back under control. Otway Forestry Mulching gave clear advice and did exactly what they said they would. Access is better and the fuel load is much lower. We're happy with the result."
Sarah M.
Forrest, VIC
"We engaged Otway Forestry Mulching for vegetation management across a few properties. Communication was clear, quotes came through quickly, and the work was completed as agreed. Documentation was provided without us having to chase it. We'd be comfortable using them again."
Michael L.
Geelong, VIC
"We engaged Otway Forestry Mulching for vegetation clearing on a Surf Coast job and were impressed with the standard of work. Lachy was professional, on time, and reliable, and the job was completed efficiently without any issues. Communication was clear throughout and we wouldn't hesitate to work together again."
Campbell P.
Local Arborist, Surf Coast VIC
Google Reviews
Seen the Difference on Your Property?
If we've worked on your property, a quick Google review helps other landowners choose with confidence.
How Much Does Forestry Mulching Cost?
Costs vary depending on property size, vegetation density, terrain, access and the finish required. Some clients want a quick rough mulch to efficiently knock back fuel loads — others want slower, more detailed work that breaks material down finer and processes it closer to ground level. The more thorough the finish, the longer it takes, and the more it costs.
We provide free, no-obligation quotes. Most clients receive their quote within 24–48 hours of getting in touch — either by phone or through our contact form. Photos or a short video of the site are really helpful for giving you an accurate number without needing a site visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about forestry mulching and our services
Can forestry mulching help with CFA or council requirements?
Forestry mulching can help manage vegetation, reduce fuel loads and improve access. Requirements vary by property; the relevant authority decides whether work is sufficient.
Is mulching better than burn-offs?
Neither method is best for every property. Mulching can reduce fuel loads without using fire, leave processed vegetation on site and improve access. In areas that are mulched, it avoids the smoke and escaped-fire risks associated with burning that area. However, it does not replace every planned burn: some native plants and ecosystems benefit from carefully timed fire, and a burn may be suitable in certain locations. On properties with varied vegetation, combining methods in different areas can work well. The right approach depends on the site, vegetation, goals and any applicable requirements.
Can you mulch around trees?
Absolutely. We're experienced in selective clearing that removes undergrowth and fire hazards while protecting significant trees and native vegetation.
Do I need council permits?
Forestry mulching often avoids the permits burn-offs require — and fire-safety works under a Bushfire Management Overlay are frequently exempt when done to the guidelines — though clearing native vegetation under other overlays can still require council approval. We'll help you check what applies to your block.
How much does forestry mulching cost?
Costs vary depending on property size, vegetation density, terrain, access and the finish required. We provide free, no-obligation quotes — most clients receive their quote within 24–48 hours of getting in touch.
Map your property for a faster quoteWhat areas do you service?
Our core service areas are the Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula and Otways, with suitable rural and acreage projects across broader south-west Victoria, including Geelong, Colac Otway, Golden Plains and Ballarat.
Ready to Open Up Your Property?
Get a free, no-obligation quote. We work with residential acreage owners, rural landowners and commercial clients across the Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula, Otways and broader south-west Victoria.