DOCSLIB.ORG

Heyfield/Licola Region

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Heyfield/Licola Region The Great Divide Fires December 2006 – February 2007 Heyfi eld/Licola Region Self-guided Drive Suggested Itinerary During the summer of 2006/07, Victoria’s ongoing drought had contributed to conditions conducive to the outbreak of fi res. Early in summer multiple lightning strikes ignited fi res across mountains in eastern Victoria. A combination of dry conditions, high temperatures and strong winds resulted in the fi res spreading and eventually combining to form a large single fi re complex. The amalgamated fi re came to be known as the Great Divide Fire. It was to become one of Victoria’s largest and longest lasting fi res. The initial fi res began on December 1 2006. It was not until 69 days later, on February 7 2007, that the fi res were contained within a controlled perimeter. A total of 1,116,408 hectares in the Great Dividing Range was affected by the fi re, with 677,782 hectares burnt in Gippsland. Multi-agency fi re fi ghting crews, members of the community and even personnel from Canada, New Zealand and the USA, worked tirelessly under demanding conditions to protect townships, private and public resources and agricultural assets. Introduction Stop 1: Township of Licola This self-guided drive gives visitors a chance to see the impact of The community of Licola is one of many towns that were directly the one of Victoria’s largest and longest lasting fi res – The Great threatened by the fi res. The fi re got very close to the town and Divide Fire. The drive will take you through the Heyfi eld/Licola reached many of the surrounding properties. Many fi refi ghters and Region in the southern foothills of the Great Dividing Range. This members of the community were involved in protecting the town. area was impacted heavily by the fi re and communities were on high alert for many weeks. Bushfi res can be fought directly using aircraft, tankers, and slip-on units, or indirectly by removing fuel in front of the fi re. This is done Fire is an essential part of the Australian environment. Many of by either mechanically clearing control lines with bulldozers or, our native fl ora and fauna have evolved to survive periodic fi res, where bulldozers cannot access, some plants even rely on fi re for regeneration. While you drive fi re-fi ghting crews on foot creating hand trails by removing fuel around the fi re-affected area, you will gain an appreciation of the with rakehoes – implements shaped like a rake on one side and a enormous effort put in by the people who fought the fi res, those hoe on the other. This work is physically demanding, particularly who worked to rehabilitate fi re control lines and those involved in on days when the weather is hot. helping the bush and affected communities to recover. Backburning operations are conducted to reduce the spread of fi re. Existing tracks were used as control lines and the backburns Start: Heyfi eld were either handlit from the control line to remove fuel between Heyfi eld is one of the many towns in the region that saw smoky the control line and main fi re-front, or lit from the air using aerial skies for many weeks. incendiaries. The DSE offi ce in Heyfi eld was one of the various control centres Although losses were kept to a minimum, some did occur. Losses that operated during the Great Divide Fires. The Incident throughout Gippsland included: Management Teams coordinated crews, logistics, strategic » 169 structures planning and resources to manage the fi res. » 1475 stock » 9267 hectares of agricultural land From Heyfi eld, travel along Licola Rd towards Lake » Fencing. Glenmaggie. Turn left at Glenmaggie Road, right Take the time to consider what it was like living in these isolated into The Crescent and left back onto Licola Rd. communities with a fi re approaching. People in towns threatened Travel along the road to Licola (~1 hour travel time). by the fi res had to make the decision whether they would stay and defend their homes or leave well before the fi re was near. Local radio stations and community meetings were instrumental in informing the public about the fi re situation. If people were to leave early, they needed enough time to leave the area safely without risking the effects of potentially fatal radiant heat. Figure 1: DSE fi refi ghter putting out a burning tree during a back-burning operation. A Victorian Government initiative Self-guided drive suggested itinerary Stop 1: Township of Licola (continued) Stop 3: Bennison Lookout The fi res lasted for many weeks and during the fi re event, local You can see the extent of the fi re from this view. Even after communities faced many issues: such an intense fi re event, signs of vegetation recovery are » The possibility of utilities being affected such as everywhere. This area was also previously burnt in the 1939 telecommunications, electricity and water. fi res. » Road closures and transport in and out of towns. » Local tourism was signifi cantly impacted Fire is important for the ecological health of our forests. » The need to be vigilant and alert of the threat of fi re Dormant buds under the bark of some eucalypts act as advancing towards their town. survival mechanisms. These buds respond to stressful » Prolonged periods of stress and anxiety. conditions and produce epicormic growth (new branch growth) along the trunk and upper canopy. However, From Licola, travel along Tamboritha road onto not all trees are adapted to fi re. Many of the Mountain Bennison Lookout for approximately 44 kms Ash trees you see from the lookout will not survive. (~1 hour travel time). Regeneration of ecosystems dominated by Mountain Ash will depend on the seeds that have survived in the soil. Stop 2: Tamboritha Road After a fi re event, the soil is rich in nutrients and open for light penetration to stimulate seeds under the soil and As you are travelling along Tamboritha Road, away many species begin to regenerate and establish themselves from Licola you will notice the effects of a recent fl ood. again. Along with the new regrowth, native wildlife begin Following heavy rainfall in the Licola area during mid- to recolonise the area. February to March, the Tamboritha Rd was subject to severe landslips and fl ooding. As a result of the Great Divide The bare ground not only provides conditions for native fi res, there was little vegetation and organic matter on the species but also unwanted plants. Infestations of weeds surrounding slopes to stabilise and protect the soil from can spread rapidly and out-grow the native species, possibly erosion. Various culverts along the Tamboritha road were taking over large areas. In this area the main species of blocked with large amounts of rock, soil and debris and concern are blackberry, ragwort and broom as they readily many sections of the road were completely impassable. respond to fi re. Thistles are also of concern as they invade areas disturbed by fi re due to wind dispersal. Water quality is also at risk following fi re. The removal of vegetation during a fi re exposes the soil to wind and water. Erosion may cause soil, ash and nutrients to be transported Note: the road for 2-wheel drives ends here. Return into waterways. This increases the sediment load and the back along the same route to heyfi eld. Those in turbidity of the water, and consequently lowers the water 4-wheel drives can continue along moroka road. quality, thus affecting main water supply. These impacts can For 4-wheel drives, still be seen in the turn right and travel Macalister River and along Moroka rd for the Wellington River. ~25 kms to Moroka These Rivers will River, a lovely place continue to be at risk until the plants for a picnic recover and the (~50 minutes travel protective cover is time). time). re-established. It will be a challenge over Stop 4: Moroka River the next few years to manage the sediment Note the difference in fi re levels in our rivers and intensity as you travel along Moroka Road. Fire behaviour Figure 3: Epicormic growth we will frequently see along trunk of burnt tree our rivers run dirty and is erratic and some areas are brown. more impacted by fi re than Figure 2: Flood damage others. Fire intensity can range from low intensity fi re, along the Tamboritha Road. where only the ground level is affected, to high intensity fi re that burns through both the understorey and tree canopy. Fire can cause a mosaic of patches of forest that differ in fi re intensity. These greener areas can act as refuges for wildlife and still support resources such as food and nesting sites. Figure 4: View showing mosaic of forest patches that have burnt at different fi re intensities. Continue along Moroka Road for a few kilometres Possums and other arboreal mammals move from tree to tree ahead of low intensity fi res, or seek safety in the high and turn right onto Marathon Rd and travel towards crowns and hollows of trees. However, very severe fi res will Briagolong (~1 hour, 20 minutes travel time). burn into the crown and hollows of trees and the intense The upper section of Marathon Road is 4-wheel heat may reach underground. Animals unable to move from drive only. these sites may be killed. Many insects and spiders are also killed, especially in a high Stop 5: Marathon Road intensity fi re that destroys the bark and litter layer in which Continue along Moroka Road for a few kilometres and they live.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Alpine National Park ‐ Around Heyfield, Licola and Dargo Visitor Guide
    Alpine National Park ‐ around Heyfield, Licola and Dargo Visitor Guide The Alpine National Park stretches from central Gippsland all the way to the New South Wales border where it adjoins Kosciuszko National Park. In this south‐western section of the park you will find pleasant Snow Gum woodlands, sprawling mountain vistas, spectacular rivers and gorges, as well as rich cultural heritage ‐ from the rock scatters of the Gunaikurnai people on lofty vantage points, to grazier’s huts nestling in protected folds of the high country. Hut is a further 3 km though groves of snow gums. Built in 1940, the Getting there hut is an excellent example of bush architecture. Continue 1 km This area of the Alpine National Park is situated approximately 250‐ south east from the hut to the carpark. 320 km east of Melbourne. To get to Heyfield take Princes Highway to Traralgon, then take Traralgon‐Maffra Road. Alternatively, stay on First Falls and Moroka Gorge – 6km, 3 hours return Princes Highway to Sale and continue onto A1 to Dargo From Horseyard Flat the track crosses a footbridge over the Moroka The main access is from Licola via the Tamboritha Road, which leads River before meandering through snow gum woodland and crossing to the Howitt and Moroka Roads. wetlands on boardwalks. It follows the river downstream to the First Falls. A rock platform is an ideal viewing point to see the rushing Mountain roads are often unsealed, narrow and winding. Take care Moroka River plunging into a deep pool. as roads may be slippery and surface condition poor.
    [Show full text]
  • West Gippsland Floodplain Management Strategy 2018
    WEST GIPPSLAND CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY West Gippsland Floodplain Management Strategy 2018 - 2027 Disclaimer Acknowledgements This publication may be of assistance to you but The development of this West Gippsland the West Gippsland Catchment Management Floodplain Management Strategy has involved Authority (WGCMA) and its employees do not the collective effort of a number of individuals guarantee that the publication is without flaw and organisations. of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your Primary author – Linda Tubnor (WGCMA) particular purpose. It therefore disclaims all Support and technical input – WGCMA liability for any error, loss or other consequence Board (Jane Hildebrant, Ian Gibson, Courtney which may arise from you relying on any Mraz), Martin Fuller (WGCMA), Adam Dunn information in this publication. (WGCMA), Catherine Couling (WGCMA), Copyright and representatives from VICSES, Bass Coast Shire Council, Baw Baw Shire Council, Latrobe © West Gippsland Catchment Management City Council, South Gippsland Shire Council, Authority Wellington Shire Council, East Gippsland First published 2017. This publication is Shire Council, East Gippsland Catchment copyright. No part may be reproduced by any Management Authority, DELWP, Bunurong process except in accordance with the provisions Land Council, Gunaikurnai Land and Waters of the Copyright Act 1968. Aboriginal Corporation and Boon Wurrung Foundation. Accessibility Acknowledgement of Country This document is available in alternative formats upon request. We would like to acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Land Owners and other indigenous people within the catchment area: the Gunaikurnai, The Bunurong and Boon Wurrung, and the Wurundjeri people. We also recognise the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations in Land and Natural Resource Management.
    [Show full text]
  • A Rehabilitation Manual for Australian Streams
    A Rehabilitation Manual for Australian Streams VOLUME 1 Ian D. Rutherfurd, Kathryn Jerie and Nicholas Marsh Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation 2000 Published by: Land and Water Resources Research and Cooperative Research Centre Development Corporation for Catchment Hydrology GPO Box 2182 Department of Civil Engineering Canberra ACT 2601 Monash University Telephone: (02) 6257 3379 Clayton VIC 3168 Facsimile: (02) 6257 3420 Telephone: (03) 9905 2704 Email: <[email protected]> Facsimile: (03) 9905 5033 WebSite: <www.lwrrdc.gov.au> © LWRRDC and CRCCH Disclaimer: This manual has been prepared from existing technical material, from research and development studies and from specialist input by researchers,practitioners and stream managers.The material presented cannot fully represent conditions that may be encountered for any particular project.LWRRDC and CRCCH have endeavoured to verify that the methods and recommendations contained are appropriate.No warranty or guarantee,express or implied,except to the extent required by statute,is made as to the accuracy,reliability or suitability of the methods or recommendations,including any financial and legal information. The information, including guidelines and recommendations,contained in this Manual is made available by the authors to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help rehabilitate Australian streams.The Manual is not intended to be a code or industry standard.Whilst it is provided in good faith,LWRRDC
    [Show full text]
  • 4X4 Nov Trek P79-82
    Great Aussie Trek Series The climb up Billy Goat Bluff Track is longlong andand steep,steep, butbut therethere areare plentyplenty ofof good views to admire. Ron and Viv Moon delight in showing off Victoria’s magnificent High Country to all and sundry –– here’shere’s just another reason why! his interesting trek takes you from High Country such as McFarlane’s Saddle access to many popular camping sites on the small mountain town of Dargo and Arbuckle Junction. From this major the river’s bank before arriving at the T first along the valley of the road junction the route heads south small hamlet of Licola. Wonnangatta and then up the steep and descending from the surrounding snow There are a number of places where spectacular Billy Goat Bluff track to the plains country of the Lost Plain and you have the opportunity to dangle a line Pinnacles and the impressive view from Holmes Plain finally crossing the and there’s no doubt there’s a good the fire lookout tower. From there the Wellington River, where the blacktop chance to catch a good size trout in any of route follows the Moroka Road past some begins. The bitumen road snakes beside the rivers you cross or pass on this trek. of the well known names of the Victorian the Wellington for a few kilometres giving Apart from the fishing, the area is also 4X4 AUSTRALIA 79 Great Aussie Trek Series The route passes through idyllic pastoral country along the Wonnangatta River. Licola, at one end of the trek, isis aa handyhandy resupplyresupply point.point.
    [Show full text]
  • Post Wildfire Indigenous Heritage Survey
    Perspectives Heritage Solutions Pty Ltd Joanna Freslov December 2004 AAV Project No. 2833 Post Wildfire Indigenous Heritage Survey Volume 2: Management of Impacts from Wildfire and Suppression Activities A Report to Parks Victoria, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria i POST WILDFIRE INDIGENOUS HERITAGE SURVEY Perspectives Heritage Solutions Pty Ltd PO Box 713 • Hurstbridge VIC 3099 Phone (03) 9718 1554 • Fax (03) 9718 1829 Cover plate: High intensity burn in the Mitta Mitta River valley, near Anglers Rest (view east) ii WILDFIRE IMPACTS AND MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Executive Summary During the 2003 a large bushfire burnt over 1.2 million hectares of private and public land in the high country of northeast Victoria and Gippsland. The fire and suppression activities affected a range of values in the highlands including Aboriginal heritage values. The Public Land Ecological and Cultural Bushfire Recovery Program determined that the best way to address and enhance effective cultural heritage management was an increased understanding of the nature and extent of the impact of bushfires on Indigenous heritage values.1 The Public Land Ecological and Cultural Bushfire Recovery Program aimed to collect this information through a project which would investigate and assess the impact of the bushfire and fire suppression activities on Indigenous cultural heritage values on public land. This project also included an assessment of the impact of the bushfire on non-material heritage values including spiritual places and historic attachments. The project was to be managed jointly by Parks Victoria (PV) and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment therefore commissioned Perspectives Heritage Solutions Pty Ltd to conduct a an archaeological survey for Aboriginal cultural heritage values within 12 study areas (later expanded to 14 areas) in the highlands and alpine regions of northeast Victoria and Gippsland (Figure 1).
    [Show full text]
  • Stretton Group
    Stretton Group Fire - Flood - Mud - Water Wednesday, May 28, 2008 Luncheon Seminar: 12 noon – 2:00pm Morgans at 401 401 Collins Street, Melbourne Following the 2003 fires which devastated about 2 million hectares of the Murray Darling Snowy River Catchments – the relationship between fire and water has never been more starkly demonstrated. In 2006/2007 fires in North-East Victoria and Gippsland created a similar catastrophe in another 1 million hectares of those water catchments. In the Macalister Valley, the Glenmaggie Weir filled rapidly with floodwater and debris. Licola and essential infrastructure was wiped out by flood and mud-slides. Floods were of huge proportions as a result of the rain falling on forested catchments which had been stripped bare of all protective vegetation by intense bushfires in December 2006. These floods washed millions of tonnes of topsoil into the Macalister River and its headwaters. The key policy question facing all urban populations, including the 4 million inhabitants of Melbourne, is what will happen to your water if the catchment is devastated by a hot intense bushfire, as was the case in Gippsland in 2006/2007. Speakers: Rob Gilder, Licola farmer (Gippsland) Professor David Dunkerley, Monash University, Landscape Water and Runoff 2 About the Stretton Group The Stretton Group is an apolitical, not-for-profit group established in December 2003 following the disastrous south east Australian bushfire crisis in 2002/3. The Stretton Group comprises a disparate association of volunteers who support the protection of the natural environment through greater transparency of the public sector processes involved. Named after the respected Royal Commissioner into 1939 Victorian Bushfires, Justice Leonard Stretton, the group proposes that government managed national parks and forests should be provided with a balance sheet value which encapsulates the environmental, cultural and economic value of these assets.
    [Show full text]
  • Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation
    h O c r n v O e e v a h v i h r n c e c R King River West Branch B s !( r n n n K t e a R s a a s r i v e i r e B i R m B v w i B R r r e u W t i v r e t f !( a Mount Samaria State Park r s r g D f v s e e a e i i B e R r e a r l B o v e B R i u v i L n E i R c HARW RIETVILLE v e W R R S i d k e t a i r e t l r l v a r u STRATHBOGIE o d e a s b e e g e n W n h d n rB n v t i i t g v D a c o i g u l d B e a n a f k R n o a u s n R h f r b a c R a o g c a a n t n d r MERTON s GUNAIKURNAI Br n u r C B o l i g B e e k g a o n e r d a v n n m v u Ri B o B e B r r i e v n c Mid lan l d H a !( ig e a hw t R e i ay a R g r e i s n B r t g h a v n a g y i igh wa we l H g E Co K u t E v n s D R t n r R a e ff An ie R c i I a LAND AND WATERS a O e a i r e v d r l ve iv h M n i i o s R WANGARATTA v a e r ta R R t W r e it n e l B iv y wa e i igh !( R k H in e v i d L lan r M Mid ra a v k r R e nch r r ABORIGINAL CORPORATION o r e r e B iv E a e r BONNIE DOON v e a i d v s HOTHAM HEIGHTS !(i R r t n !( r B R u ABORIGINAL HERITAGE ACT 2006 e R v r o i a s B s R r n n n MITCHELL e e c r AREAS IN RELATION TO le h a v e u MANSFIELD R r i ive d v L H b a ALPINE l REGISTERED ABORIGINAL PARTIES g R i !( O t n u t u o e l d H m e o n h u K n i c m am b o R i a r n f f T G n f gDR e a ra f V i dic y r R d k i h r R i v e v t a e e B i c i D R v y a v r r t t i s e o v C e e ela ti r R ri r e D ti a te Ri r r W a S r te R l v e e W i R e v o ive D Ki iv ver u e i r n y R e wa igh o H OMEO g me O G R o Old th o iv al s r er ff t ul N u E L !( B b r ay B hw o
    [Show full text]
  • Corinna and the Pieman River
    Terms and Conditions of Use Copies of Walk magazine are made available under Creative Commons - Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike copyright. Use of the magazine. You are free: • To Share- to copy, distribute and transmit the work • To Remix- to adapt the work Under the following conditions (unless you receive prior written authorisation from Melbourne Bushwalkers Inc.): • Attribution- You must attribute the work (but not in any way that suggests that Melbourne Bushwalkers Inc. endorses you or your use of the work). • Noncommercial- You may not use this work for commercial purposes. • Share Alike- If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you may distribute the resulting work only under the same or similar license to this one. Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitations on Liability. Melbourne Bushwalkers Inc. makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any content of this work. Melbourne Bushwalkers Inc. disclaims any warranty for the content, and will not be liable for any damage or loss resulting from the use of any content. • • WALK • • A JOURNAL OF THE MELBOURNE BUSHW ALKERS No. 3 1952 llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll EDITORIAL: "BURNT OFFERING" 3 THE TOE OF THE PROM. K. Grant .... 4 BEYOND THE VALE OF RASSELAS G. Christensen 8 THE CRINOLINE .. G. Coutts 13 VAN TRIP ....... ''Nin" 16 BIG WALKABOUT E. Richards 17 OUR WALKERS .. "Barrani" 23 CLIMBING ON TABLE MOUNTAIN H. Wolff .. 27 THE GATES OF THE MURRAY . K. Middleton 30 PRESERVING OUR WILDFLOWERS 34 THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS . N. Richards 35 THE YOU-YANGS ........... E. Donath .. 43 BR-R-R; IT'S COLD!! . O.M•.. 44 BOOKS FOR THE BUSHWALKER 46 CORINNA AND THE PIEMAN RIVER .
    [Show full text]
  • SALE FLY FISHING CLUB INC. PO Box 1562 Sale, Vic
    SALE FLY FISHING CLUB INC. PO Box 1562 Sale, Vic. 3850 Incorporation No. A0017993A President: - Peter Murray 03-5145 1468 AH Secretary: - Ray Throup: 0412487322 M E-mail: [email protected] Web Page: www.sffc.org.au OCTOBER NEWSLETTER OF THE SALE FLY FISHING CLUB INC. All members and interested persons are invited to attend the next meeting of the Sale Fly Fishing Club Inc. This will be held on Monday the 15th of October at Sporting Legend’s Sports Club at 7.30pm Date: - 17th September 2018 Email to Dean regarding Fly Box reimbursement. Meeting Opened: - 7.34 pm Reply to Paul Stolz. Attendance 9 members present Email to Noel Barnetby regarding Licola fish pictures. Apologies: - Correspondence moved by Neil Morrison. Seconded by The following members were not able to attend: Peter Nelligan. Jack Groenewald, Rob Allen, Gavin Scully and James Thomson. Treasurer’s Report: Visitors Total income: $730.00 Matt Bowler: West Gippsland Catchment Management Total expenses $681.00 Authority. Net income $49.00 Minutes of previous meeting. Total balance $4,356.49 Moved Dean Cousins, seconded by Mick Obrien. Moved by Ian Brideson Second by Mick Obrien $270.00 for fly boxes not included in figures. Business arising from last Minutes. Peter Murray has spoken to Paul Stolz prior to our Licola weekend. Paul was very happy with the Macalister and General Business. Wellington system and may fish the area again when water Matt Bowler from the West Gippsland Catchment levels subside. The Licola weekend was well attended, and Management Authority introduced himself to the members.
    [Show full text]
  • Tali Karng – Alpine National Park Visitor Guide
    Tali Karng – Alpine National Park Visitor Guide Tali Karng is a hidden jewel nestled deep in the mountains of Gippsland, fed by snowmelt waters of the Wellington Plains. The lake is believed to have been formed about 1500 years ago when a massive rock slide collapsed into the valley damming the waters of Nigothoruk Creek above Wellington River. The water runs underground from the lake to emerge as the infant Wellington River 150m below in the Valley of Destruction. Welcome to Country Tali Karng via Mt Margaret – Grade 5, 20km each The first occupiers of this area were the Gunaikurnai people, most way, 10 hours to the lake, 9 hours back. likely member of the Brayakaulung clan. Aboriginal people guided This is an unmaintained, unmarked self‐sufficient walk. Sections of many European explorers and gold miners through the mountains this walk contain thick vegetation and walkers attempting this track along well used pathways, which eventually formed some of today’s must be experienced in navigation and emergency first aid. road and track network. Start from the Tamboritha Road, approximately 4 km from Licola. Tali Karng is a sacred place to the Gunaikurnai and in keeping with Climb over Mt Margaret to the Dolodrook River where there is a their law, Aboriginal people are forbidden to go there. campsite and water. From here, it is another 3.5 km to the Aboriginal people do not oppose non‐indigenous people visiting Tali Wellington River via Brandy Pinch Track, then on to the lake. Karng as long as they treat the area with respect.
    [Show full text]
  • Walking and Talking with the Bushwalking Victoria President
    December 2015 Issue 264 Walking and Talking with the Bushwalking Victoria President ....................... 1 First Quarterly Meeting of Club Presidents........................................................ 4 Tracks and Conservation News ............................................................................ 5 Generous Donation from Melbourne Bushwalkers ............................................. 6 New Multi-day Interstate Tracks......................................................................... 7 Grampians Peak Trail 3-Day Loop ...................................................................... 7 Lake Mountain Tracks New Map ...................................................................... 8 Federation Walks Weekend 2015 ....................................................................... 10 McMillan's Walking Track - an Adventure ....................................................... 11 Volunteer Track Ranger Program ...................................................................... 15 Survey of Attitudes to Bushwalking News Victoria ......................................... 15 Bushfire Safety for Walkers and Campers ........................................................ 16 Contributions ....................................................................................................... 16 Advertisements .................................................................................................... 17 ................................................................. 19 Walking and Talking with
    [Show full text]
  • ISC East Gippsland Region
    Bemm River. Courtesy Alison Pouliot The vast majority of the East Gippsland region is covered by natural forest. The steep East terrain and spectacular Snowy Mountains in the north give way to sloping foothills, broad Gippsland coastal plains and extensive dune systems in the south. Region Four river basins form the region – Far East Gippsland (basin 21), Snowy (basin 22), Tambo (basin 23), and the Mitchell (basin 24). East Gippsland Region The region includes four basins and some of Victoria’s most Three reaches were tested in the Tambo basin. Swifts environmentally significant and valuable rivers. These river Creek (reach 9), and Tambo River (reach 23), showed highly systems flow to the Southern Ocean through extensive elevated salinity and levels of phosphorus. Reach 2 on the estuarine systems including the Gippsland Lakes, the Nicholson River had excellent water quality. estuaries of the Snowy and Bemm Rivers, and the inlets Five reaches were tested in the Mitchell basin. Results were of Tamboon and Mallacoota. generally good to excellent with slightly elevated results for Pockets of cleared valleys and floodplains throughout the phosphorus and turbidity. Notably, reach 7, in the lower region support agriculture such as dairying, horticulture, section of the Mitchell River where forest gives way to wool, cattle and sheep production. The production of cleared land, had an extremely poor result for turbidity. hardwood timber is also a significant industry in East Gippsland. Hydrology Since European settlement, there has been a history of The hydrological condition of streams varied across the erosion and sediment transport associated with the region’s East Gippsland region.
    [Show full text]