Graham Parkes
Staff
It is drawing close to the time when we farewell our seasonal fire crew for another year. Many of the crew have worked in Halls Gap previously and we hope to see them return again next season, but hopefully it will be a much quieter and less hectic season than this year.
The Parks Victoria fire recovery staff who commenced work in October 2008 have made great progress on the Mackey’s Peak to Pinnacle Track, having so far completed the construction of over 345 stone steps and are now awaiting the fabricated steel for the new steel steps for the very steep sections. A second crew have been busy on the Zumstein to McKenzie Falls walk, with around 51m of steel walkway installed and a three metre bridge replaced. They are working towards completing the track by end June 2009.
We were fortunate to have the support of a number of Interstate Rangers who came to the Grampians to provide support with Patrol duties when many of our staff were deployed to the fires in the east.
It will be sad to see both Tony Corrigan and Emily Bedggood leave the Parks team in March. They have been an invaluable asset and have worked with ceaseless dedication on the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby project.
Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Project
The Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies that were reintroduced into the Grampians National Park on 12th November are being monitored on a weekly basis by staff from Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment. Unfortunately three wallabies have died since the initial reintroduction. The first death was due to a large rock fall, the second to a head injury and the third to a case of lumpy jaw. Although the team are naturally disappointed they are confident that the trial reintroduction remains on track.
Grampians National Park Roads
The unsealed roads in the Park have benefited from recent rain and grading is underway following the improved moisture conditions. Lodge Road was dry graded in late February and most of the roads and tracks have been cleared of fallen trees and branches. Replacement of collapsed culverts on Mt Zero Road and Red Hill Road has been programmed to occur during March if weather permits. The Parks Victoria road team started grading the Glenelg River Road at the Mt Victory Road end in early March. For further information on roads in the Park contact Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre phone 5361 4000.
Major works
Brambuk car park works were completed in February. Jimmy Creek campground was opened for Christmas, and works are underway on Smiths Mill and the Plantation campgrounds.
Crews have also completed track work on the Red Gum Walk and the Information shelter has been installed ready for the interpretation signage.
Consultation with VCC
Park staff are still in ongoing consultation with the Victorian Climbing Club and are considering various strategies for dealing with the issue of the use of rock climbing bolts within the Park.
A boundary track in the northern Grampians has been gated to prohibit vehicle access to a site which was attracting large groups of climbers. Tracey Skinner, Access and Environment Officer from the VCC is working on an article for Crux and Rock magazines and a CliffCare Education Project, which aims to provide a continuing source of information for climbers in regards to the cliff environments and climbers’ responsibilities as park users.
Brim Springs Heritage Day
The Brim Springs Heritage Day is to be held on Sunday the 5 April 2009 at Brim Springs Picnic Ground. As Brim Springs is and has been a very special place to many people, the Horsham Historical Society, Barengi Gadjin and Parks Victoria would like to invite FOGGs members to join us to celebrate our rich European and aboriginal heritage.
FOGGs Volunteer Group Long Service Award
There will be a presentation followed by dinner at The Wander Inn at Wartook on Saturday 9th May to celebrate the Friends of Grampians Gariwerd 25 years of service to the Grampians National Park.