Decided to
check out the route of the new water pipline to
Melbourne as it passes thru the Toolangi state
forrest.
Many Vics would know the area near Marginal rd / Rocky track and that the area along the highway there and up near Kalatha creek is in the path of the pipeline.
This area also holds (held) the greatest amount of big bogholes and hard tracks I know of.
We choose our espically quiet and meticuliously legal trail bikes for this job which proved very fortunate as at the nothern Kalatha
creek crossing in thick
forrest we came out into an opening to quite a melay with a group of 3 unregistered bikes , a couple of cars and some Parks Vic vehicles all together in what appeared to be a bust.
They was little time for everyone to react. But everyone in unison seemed to turn and give our bikes a quick look over in the 4 seconds we took to quietly and effectively wind thru the crowd and keep on our way, without stopping to ask, or be asked questions.
The pipeline route follows the highway in thick
forrest about 50 meters in and parallel to the highway. There is/was a
carpark just off marginal road and now you can stand there and look it amazement at a 30m wide highway of smooth dirt which has been bulldozed right thru the centre of the
forrest there and which extends as far as you can see.
The area from the base of Rocky track north had been flattened completely , little bridges made over where the big bog holes were. There were at least 200 earth moving vehicles
and works cars between rocky track and Glenburn roadhouse , shifting dirt and turning the
forrest into huge piles of chips. To the south , the works are yet to begin in ernest but twin lines of tape snake thru the
forrest showing where its to happen.
The lines of tape mark a construction site and access is not allowed.
The once dirt road entrance to rocky track area now has a short bitumen section to allow for access for trucks.
Access into Marginal rd is still mostly ok from the south, but there are no-turn signs from the north.
We checked out all tracks in the area, and back 100m or so so from the highway everything appears normal untouched
and plenty of good tracks , but the car swallowing roadside bogholes have gone.
We systematically checked out the Sec road, its access from Pylon track and all tracks north of Kalatha creek and everything here appears ok.
The Sec Pylons represent an area where the same sort of thing was done years ago , the magnificent
views and the extra tracks
created have been a benefit.
Perhaps the pipeline corridor will end up being positive for 4wding in years to come as
well.