So much to report I hardly know what to put in and what not. There’s news from PV and news from VICROADS.
PARK UPDATE
The first step after an event like this is asset assessment – what’s damaged, and is it covered by insurance? This needs a specialised team, and is now about 70% complete. A lot of the costs are not insurable, such as all the signs advising of closures, the huge maintenance needed on areas receiving much higher use etc. Bolte highway is being graded daily, they start at one end then go back and start again.
After assessing the damage, they look at opening areas in stages, in consultation with all the other partners (VICROADS, CMAs, shires etc) and having regard to safety, environmental and cultural heritage.
Most of the worst damage is in the Wonderland and Mt William range areas, although the Zumsteins picnic area was also massively hit, with well over half a metre of water going through the toilets.
How does this all affect Park users? Well, by Easter most of the tracks in the Northern Grampians will be open, including the walk from Briggs Bluff to Troopers’ Gap. The Chatauqua Pk track, and the Boronia Peak track have been open for some weeks and the Tunnel track from Pomonal to Halls Gap will be open very soon too. The track from Halls Gap to the Pinnacle will be open temporarily over Easter, with warning signs, as will the Silverband Falls track. The other Wonderland walks have to wait until the landslides over the road above Venus Baths are declared safe. Similarly, there is no point opening tracks where the access roads are still closed.
FROM VICROADS
Grampians Road (Halls Gap to Dunkeld)
* Clean-up of landslip debris (trees, soil and rock) on sections of the road – approximately 75% complete.
* Clean-up of landslip debris at five bridges and four culvert sites – 50% complete.
* Designs to repair bridge structures – in progress. Major works to begin when designs are complete.
* Installation of bigger culverts at four major culvert sites – to begin soon.
Estimated reopening: Six months (weather dependent). Sections may be opened during this time.
Northern Grampians Road (Mt Victory Road)
* Clean-up works – almost complete.
* Repair and stabilisation of three minor slips – complete.
* Approximately 2500 square metres of pavement construction and sealing works at Zumsteins and Wartook Valley areas – complete.
* Treatment design for earthworks, drainage solutions, road pavement restoration and reconstruction and bridge repairs – being investigated.
* Repairs on six major slips and one small slip – to begin when treatment designs are complete.
* An additional landslip has recently been identified between Zumsteins and Mackenzie Falls. This steep landslip is a difficult site to repair due to its height and difficulty in anchoring the retaining walls into stable ground.
May open as far as Reed’s Lookout with traffic lights on a one way section by soon after Easter. Estimated reopening: Six to nine months (weather dependent). Sections may be opened during this time.
Silverband Falls Road
* Clean-up of debris between Grampians Rd and the Silverband carpark – almost complete.
Estimated reopening: The section between Grampians Road and Silverband carpark is due to be opened for Easter. The section beyond
Silverband carpark has sustained very serious damage and is still under assessment. It will remain closed until further notice.
VICROADS are offering interested folk a chance to see the work being done. Contact Kathy if you are interested.