Vic Track Closures

Nick,

Have a look at the Vic Park road closure site.

Funny I thought this is a goverment department.

www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

Wayne

Nick I think you will find that after the fires this year a lot more tracks will be left open becasue a lot of them were 'rehabiliated' by parks and dse after the 03 filres at great expense!

Leroy

Nick, I understand your concern but before starting a possibly ineffective ruckus do you realise there is a very effective process in place through Four Wheel Drive Victoria, the state's peak body for 4WD clubs. There are many track closures and it is not surprising the "governement" knowns nothing of them if by government you mean ministers. There are the annual seasonal closures [over winter] and other closures in response to fire, storm or other extraordinary events.
The governement agencies that actually manage the tracks, DSE and Parks, have regular consultation with the 4WD Vic and generally the closures are by mutual agreement after some often intense discussions.
From time to time some zealous local officials impose closures unilaterally without consultation. Often these are the result of reaction to local damage by the ratbags who think it is their right to do whatever they want wherever they want. Sometimes these instances can be hosed down, sometimes not, and we have only the idiots to blame if the closures stay in place. Sometimes the damage gets repaired and the areas reopened but frequently, repeated damage results in the loss of tracks.
It is useful to report these isolated closures to 4WD Vic but a general call to report closed tracks could prove embarassing. For a list of tracks which are open people only need to go to the 4WD Vic site or the Parks Vic site.
Ken

I should have explained myself better. I mean permanent closures, not just winter closures to prevent track damage or fire related closures for perceived safety reasons. Posts in the ground and trees felled to block tracks permanently.
If 4WD Vic has a list and people on this who should I talk to there? I'm sure they would appreciate another 21000 strong membership organisation pushing some of the same messages, allbeit for different reasons.

NickR

Try this.....

http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources//14_1147.pdf

Tricky situation Nick, I could list a few.

Don't know how anybody even vaguely tuned in could not know of
the track closures.

Some of them like Wonnagatta road, which is in regular
use by locals and closed more for convience reasons than any
other.

I have certainly been annoying everyone I can think of
over the issue, but currently the bottom line for me is
to take a very broad approach which ranges from opening
with care the odd forgotten piece of track to advising
every one I can to join their relevant state 4wd body.

I'd like to see everyone on this site support the 4wd club
movement, its our future.

Robin Miller

Nick listing any new permanent track closures on ExOz is a great idea. Often 4WD Victoria's regional reps wont see a closure personally for some time so knowing where they are will allow us to challenge Parks & DSE without delay. Quick intervension has kept several tracks & camping area's open already.
The fires have closed a huge proportion of the High Country temporarily but by the season opening in November the majority should be clear & will be a critical time to report those that are not to avoid a repeat of the "Dingo Hill Track" saga during 03/04.
4WD Victoria & Parks have had excellent cooperation over the last couple of years & have regular dialog so ideally any closures should be refered through them. If that avenue hits a wall, all additional preasure through political sources has got to help.
If anyone knows of a new Victorian track closure not in the fire area list away & we'll see what can be done.
Cheers Craig.............