Contractors have begun reinstating fire control lines that were created during the south-west bushfires in March 2018.

Peat fires burnt near Cobden for more than 50 days.

FFMVic Otway District Manager David Roberts said around six kilometres of open trench was dug on private land around Lake Cobrico to assist firefighting efforts during the bushfires.

“A monitoring program and soil testing was conducted in the area following the fires, to determine the fire's impact and rehabilitation requirements,” Mr Roberts said.

“Two excavators are working to fill in the trenches, using stockpiled soil and lime to neutralise any acid sulphate soil present.

“We are working closely with individual landholders to ensure rehabilitation on each property meets their current and future needs.

“While we have a narrow window where the ground is dry enough to bring machinery into the area, reinstatement works are expected to take around a fortnight to complete.

“Once the trenches have been filled in, final reinstatement works will include fencing and revegetation, which will be supported by the Heytesbury District Landcare Network.

“This project is one of FFMVic’s final tasks in supporting the south-west’s bushfire recovery."

Mr Roberts said FFMVic was working with Glenelg Hopkins CMA and Parks Victoria to get timber salvaged from Lake Elingamite repurposed into ‘fish hotels’.

“These structures, which are being placed in the Merri River at Warrnambool, provide a space for native fish like Estuary Perch and Bream to breed and shelter," he said.

“Reinstatement works on the Timboon Rail Trail are essentially complete. The final part of the project will see timber safety rails installed along some sections of the trail.

“Moving into autumn, revegetation activities will be happening on public sites impacted by the fires.

“Weed spraying will also be conducted on rehabilitated road reserves along the Penshurst-Warrnambool Road to support the recovery of grassland with high biodiversity value.

“Working with landholders, committees of management and the community has allowed us to complete fire recovery works and achieve agreed outcomes for everyone."

He thanked the community for their understanding and willingness to work with authorities during the recovery process.