After drought, fire, flood and locust plague, many of us have been wondering what 2012 will bring. The spring of 2011 has been spectacular in the Grampians with many roadsides a blaze of colour. The response of insects, birds and frogs was also wonderful with many starting to regain their numbers from pre-drought times.
The last few months however, have seen the bush really start to dry out and when I consulted our rainfall chart I realised that when I removed the 200mm rainfall we received in January, this was our second driest year for many years. So I was just starting to settle for a hot dry summer when in the last 24 hours we received over 70 mm rain and by reports on the news Halls Gap has received even more with minor flooding occurring, and renewed road closures in the Park. So I guess what I can say about 2012 is that it will be as unpredictable as any year on this continent of drought and flooding rains.
It is wonderful news that all the major roads through the Grampians and most of the walking tracks are now open thanks to the hard work of park staff and others.
In 2012 we will need to be alert that some of the current attacks on the environment do not adversely affect the Grampians. It has to be a concern that the government is still pushing to introduce cattle into the Alpine National Park, that wood collecting is being encouraged with no concern for the potential damage to biodiversity as well as our continuing concern at the 5% target for planned burning regardless of other events in the landscape including wildfire.
Wishing all members of FOGGs a very happy Christmas and I hope to catch up with many of you at our activities in 2012.
Proo Pyke.