Mt. Speculation - what happened??
Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 21:59
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Member - Andrew W (VIC)
For those that don't know Mt. Speculation is in the Strathbogie Ranges in NE Vic and is topped by a
flat rock with magnificent 360'
views. A 4WD track led up to
the summit which has a surveyors point but nothing else other than the
views.
That was until I went up this weekend to find that someone (DCNR I guess) had decided to totally vandalise the track with a bulldozer detroying literally a hundred or more mature trees to completely block the track and all access. It was just like a war zone - literally every tree near the track has been bulldozed across it, broken limbs and upturned roots everywhere, deep ruts cut by the dozers and total devastaion.
It was imposssible to even walk up to
the summit.
How can these people be allowed to destroy such a magnificent spot really does beat me!
Reply By: Crackles - Wednesday, Jun 13, 2007 at 18:06
Wednesday, Jun 13, 2007 at 18:06
The track onto Mt Separation has always been an
unofficial track initially started by motorbikes. Access onto
the rock has been ongoing for 30 years so for any department to close it 4 Wheel Drive Victoria should have been informed. I will slip down to the DSE office & see what the reason was. With
the rock ledge that many drive being over 40 degrees I'd probably suggest they have some safety & liability issues.
The other
rock up in the 'Bogies' (Mt Buggery) that was a great 4x4 destination was closed about 5 years ago but I believe that was done by Hancock Plantations even though it never really effected them.
Just so I have my facts correct when I go in Waddo, how many live trees were dozed & what was the length of the devastation??
Cheers Craig.........
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Jun 13, 2007 at 19:57
Wednesday, Jun 13, 2007 at 19:57
Called Benalla DSE Office today( twice) Craig and a Neil Cleland ? was supposed to get back to me but didn't
Robin Miller
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew W (VIC) - Wednesday, Jun 13, 2007 at 21:17
Wednesday, Jun 13, 2007 at 21:17
The track was destroyed from about 200 metres all the way to
the summit. Started where the existing track used to turn right hand turn after the rocky climb.
The entire length of the track has been destroyed, with I estimate a minimum of 100 trees bulldozed over it. There were fully mature trees, as
well as saplings. Roots were ripped out exposing large monds of red clay, and they had obviously been pushed across the track to prevent access at all sorts of angles.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Crackles - Wednesday, Jun 13, 2007 at 21:22
Wednesday, Jun 13, 2007 at 21:22
No doubt Neil is lost for words trying to explain why so much damage was caused to protect the site ;-) (Not unlike
Dingo Hill) I'll put the acid on him by arriving in person. It's important that both individuals & the association hold them accountable to stop these closures.
Cheers Craig..........
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 20:22
Monday, Jun 18, 2007 at 20:22
Hi Crackles
Did you hear anything !
I made 3 seperate attempts to contact DRNE with not reply other than to take a message.
I do not no if it is vandalizm or DRNE - so much for trying to co-operate with the alledegedly "responsible authorities"
Robin Miller
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Crackles - Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 at 20:06
Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 at 20:06
Yes Robin I had a senior
forrest management officer ring me back today to explain the situation up at My Separation. Will put up a fresh post to let everyone know. Apparently the new office girl (whom I met) has been putting people through to all sorts of rangers at different levels & he was responding today to them all.
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Cheers Craig.........
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