Campground Planning
Last year, as part of its election announcements, the State Government committed an additional $1.5 million to be spent on improvement to campground and associated walking tracks in the Grampians over two years during 2007-2009. Planning of the works has commenced and is focussing on Jimmy Creek, Smiths Mill, Plantation, Boreang, Buandik and Stapylton Campgrounds. A design firm is working closely with Park staff to review the layout and facilities and develop designs for these much loved destinations.
At Smiths Mill a walking Track link to Mackenzie Falls along the creek is also being planned.
Much of the implementation for this program will be carried out next financial year in 2008-2009.
Fire Season News
We have experienced an early start to the fire season with large fires in the Little Desert and two lightning strikes in the Grampians. Both Grampians fires were in difficult locations and kept small through the very determined efforts of our fire fighters.
While rainfall has improved this last year, there is an accumulated dryness due to a succession of dry years that is resulting in low fuel moisture levels. Generally the supply of water for fighting across the Park is good with all our dams at or near full.
In the spring we managed two prescribed burns, one north of Dunkeld and the second just north of Halls Gap.
We are currently adequately staffed, with our ongoing staff bolstered by ten Project Fire Fighters and four Summer Rangers. The Summer Rangers don’t undertake fire duties, but will provide backup for ongoing staff engaged in fire duties. Staff numbers will be further increased by the addition of a Fire Operations Officer for the Grampians, funded through the State’s Public Land Fire Initiative. This appointment is expected to be completed over the next month.
Fire Recovery Works
Construction of the new toilets and residence at Mackenzie Falls is almost complete and both buildings are planned to open for Christmas. Works are well under way to restore access and facilities in the southern end of the Wonderland Range and Mount Rosea, including Sundial Car Park, Sundial Lookout, Lake View Lookout, Delleys Dell and Mount Rosea Walking Track. We are on track to have these works completed by Easter 2008 (21 March).
After Easter we will focus our efforts on walking access over Mount William and the Major Mitchell Plateau. These works will be logistically challenging as much of the material needed may have to be flown to work sites.
Bomjinna, Kalymna and Mafeking have reopened and Jimmy Creek will reopen shortly.