Welcome to the summer edition of the FOGG newsletter. I’m writing this on Thursday 22 December after another dramatic summer downpour at the weekend, which I’m sure you will have heard about. Much less damage than the January one. Mt Victory Rd is open again today, one lane only at the Halls Gap end, with traffic lights. There’s some damage round the Plantation area on Mt Zero Rd, but the walking tracks repairs have stood up well. The Parks office was flooded, but nuisance level only. All the water storages and lakes have responded quickly: Bellfield is 91% full, Fyans and Lonsdale both 83%, Wartook 88% and Wartook 76%. The total GWM system has twice the water as at this time last year.
With the roads open at last it is great to be able to get out and explore the Park again. The flowers this year have been so good. And still are. I took the newly open and extended walk to Turret Falls last week and counted eight different daisy species. There’s now a little lookout back to the falls.
On a sad note, we note the passing of Jane Williams, one of our founding members. Jane had done so much for the Grampians over the years. Through their Pomonal Wildflower Nursery, she and Phil propagated thousands of plants for revegetation and beautification of camp and picnic sites in the park, as well as for so many Landcare projects. So much expertise and enthusiasm lost. Our deepest sympathy to Phil and the family.
SOME USEFUL LINKS
For information on what is open and closed in Grampians National Park please visit the Parks Victoria website www.parks.vic.gov.au Grampians Tourism are also continually updating the map of which roads are open. www.grampianstourism.com.au