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Fire season has a way of sneaking up. Now is the time to start thinking about what your property might need before summer. We share what's new at Otway Forestry Mulching — a newer Kubota skid steer, upgraded fire safety on our own gear, and our Map Your Property tool for checking overlays before you clear.

Gorse is one of the most frustrating and common issues on larger properties. It spreads fast, takes over sections of land, and before long becomes something people avoid altogether. Here's how forestry mulching helps you take it back.

Before the rain sets in and the ground turns to mud, there's a smarter window of opportunity many landowners miss. Acting in autumn means the work gets done cleanly, efficiently and without compromising your land.

Many landowners managing larger properties have never come across forestry mulching — and once they do, the reaction is almost always the same: "I had no idea this was even an option." Areas that were once impenetrable become open, usable land again — often revealing parts of a property the owner hadn't properly seen in years.

Across Torquay, Anglesea, Deans Marsh and the wider Otway region, this time of year is when many landowners begin to see fence lines disappearing, access tracks narrowing and sections of property becoming harder to manage. Autumn can be a good window for regrowth control — and forestry mulching is one of the most practical ways to tackle it.

Some days, I genuinely wonder if I've stumbled into the best job in the world. As a forestry mulching operator serving the Otways and Surf Coast, my office is a 20-acre bush block near Forrest. Whether you need fire risk reduction, land clearing for access, or bush regeneration, this method works with the natural landscape.

The recent fires at Harcourt and Longwood hit close to home for a lot of us in regional Victoria. These weren't massive infernos that dominated national headlines — they were the kind of fires Central Victorian landowners need to understand and prepare for right now. With Victoria's peak fire danger period still ahead in February, there are still critical weeks where smart, targeted work can make a real difference.

A practical guide to BAL ratings, Bushfire Management Overlays, and how vegetation management can support your building plans. If you own a bush block in the Otways, Surf Coast, or surrounding hinterland, you've probably heard terms like BAL rating, Bushfire Prone Area, and Bushfire Management Overlay. The good news is there are practical steps that can reduce exposure and improve building options — and vegetation management is one of the biggest levers.

Across Victoria right now, skies are thick with smoke and hearts are heavy with concern. Fires ripping through communities, from the north-east to the Otways, are among the worst we have seen. This conversation is not about picking sides or assigning blame. Fire risk management in a landscape like Victoria's is shaped by many interconnected factors. The key point is that effective fuel reduction is multifaceted — prescribed burns, mechanical treatments, strategic fire breaks, defensible planning, community preparedness and ongoing risk assessment all contribute to a balanced, resilient approach.

If you own a bush block in Lorne, Aireys Inlet, or along the Great Ocean Road, you already know the drill — CFA compliance isn't optional. These premium coastal areas sit in some of Victoria's highest bushfire risk zones. That means strict fuel load requirements, defendable space rules, and annual maintenance. The good news? Forestry mulching makes compliance fast, clean, and hassle-free. We've helped property owners from Lorne to Fairhaven prepare their land for fire season — without the mess of burning or the damage of bulldozers. Protect your investment and your family with professional, CFA-aligned vegetation management.

Buying a lifestyle block in the Otways is a dream come true for many — but it often comes with years of neglect to undo. Overgrown access tracks, blackberry infestations, fire hazards, and fence lines lost to the bush. Whether you've just purchased 5 acres near Forrest or 50 acres in the Gellibrand Valley, forestry mulching is the fastest way to reclaim your land. We work with tree-changers across Apollo Bay, Birregurra, Lavers Hill, and the Otways hinterland to create access, clear firebreaks, remove weeds, and prepare land for fencing and paddocks. One machine, one pass — and your property is ready to enjoy.

The Golden Plains and Ballarat region is growing fast. New subdivisions, rural residential developments, and agricultural improvements all start with one thing — clearing the land. For developers, farmers, and landowners with larger acreage, forestry mulching offers a cost-effective, environmentally responsible solution. We handle site preparation, paddock clearing, fence line access, and vegetation removal across Bannockburn, Meredith, Buninyong, Creswick, and greater Ballarat. Our equipment is built for big jobs — clearing 10, 50, or 100+ acres efficiently. No burning, no hauling, no multiple machines. Just clean, fast, professional land preparation ready for your next project.

Some people start a business to make a profit. We started ours to make a difference — and spend more time outdoors with our kids. Otway Forestry Mulching was born from countless weekends exploring the Otways, surrounded by the smell of eucalyptus and the sound of the wind through the gums. We saw the damage caused by burn-offs and bulldozers — blackened soil, erosion, native regrowth stunted. It didn't sit right. There had to be a smarter, cleaner way to restore land. That's where forestry mulching came in. One machine, one pass, no burn piles, no smoke — just regeneration. Our work is about more than clearing land. It's about caring for it.

Every year before fire season, thousands of Victorians receive a notice from council or CFA telling them to reduce fuel loads. It's stressful, time-consuming, and sometimes confusing. Forestry mulching takes the hard work — and the guesswork — out of fire readiness. Instead of slashing or burning, we grind overgrown vegetation into mulch, reducing fire risk while improving soil. That means no piles to burn, no smoke, and instant compliance. We've helped landowners across the Surf Coast, Geelong, and Ballarat meet CFA requirements quickly — and sustainably. Whether it's a 10-acre bush block or a narrow firebreak along your fence line, we'll make sure your land is safe, compliant, and ready for whatever the fire season brings.

Traditional clearing methods like bulldozing and burning were once the norm. But they come with problems — soil erosion, carbon emissions, and long recovery times. Forestry mulching is different. It's cleaner, faster, and environmentally responsible. The process uses a single machine to cut and grind vegetation, spreading mulch back over the soil. This mulch holds moisture, prevents erosion, and helps native plants regenerate naturally. For councils, developers, and private landowners, that means lower carbon footprint, safer properties, faster turnaround, and immediate usability — often without the burn-off permit requirements. It's the new standard in responsible land management — and we're proud to be leading the way across southwest Victoria.

Every block tells a story. Some start wild and overgrown — full of blackberry tangles and fallen trees. Others just need a reset. Forestry mulching isn't just clearing — it's restoring. Within weeks, native plants start to return, wildlife follows, and the land breathes again. We've completed transformations across the Surf Coast and Otways, and the results speak for themselves — healthier soil, reduced fire risk, and land that finally feels like part of your property again.

If you've ever opened the mail to find a Fire Hazard Abatement Notice from council or CFA, you know the feeling — panic and confusion. The good news? Forestry mulching is one of the fastest, safest, and most compliant ways to meet those requirements. We work with property owners to create firebreaks, reduce fuel loads, and get you back within code — without scorched soil or smoke. Councils across southwest Victoria recognise mulching as a best-practice approach for fuel reduction. We make it easy, fast, and done right the first time.