Welcome to the winter edition of our newsletter.
You will not be surprised that much of our energy, and that of the Park staff, is still solidly on flood recovery, and that is going to continue for some months – actually years. In addition, the interesting work of monitoring the effects of drought and fire followed by flood and landslide will continue on for some years too.
The two major through roads are still blocked, although it is hoped that shortly the road from Halls Gap to Dunkeld will open as far as the Mirranatwa Gap road, giving access through Victoria Valley to the south. The road from Wartook is open as far as the Boroka Lookout turn off, but the slip above Venus Baths cuts the Wonderland area off from Halls Gap. VICROADS are working as hard as they can and we just have to learn to be patient. The same is true of the park staff working on tracks. I know some groups are very keen to step in and help, but the assessment process is complex. By our next newsletter we should be clearer on what FOGGS are able to do.
In the meantime, it is so beautiful to see everything so lush and green. On the long weekend I drove up to Boroka Lookout via Mckenzie Falls and Reid Lookout on the just re-opened road. I was intrigued to see that with the continued damp and the lack of traffic that parts of the road were distinctly green with moss. Those of you who live further afield, do come up; marvel at the power of the water, and enjoy the new life. Spring should be dramatic.