Category: News and Information

The Mitchell River National Park which is jointly managed by Parks Victoria and the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) is a favoured bushwalking area for the Ben Cruachan Walking Club. With sections of the 20km Mitchell River Walking Track from Angusvale to the Den of Nargun being a regular feature on their walk program. The track was in need of some serious attention as in many places the vegetation was forcing walkers to walk off the track. Last September BCWC supported by BTAC cleared 4km. Over the recent ANZAC weekend 20 volunteers, including eight from BCWC, worked in two teams. They checked out some 12 kilometres of the track and cleared vegetation from over six of them.

On ANZAC day afternoon 15 volunteers settled in for the weekend at the Echo Bend Camping Park, a lovely spacious privately run park with a variety of amenities including hot showers and shelters. Four BCWC members joined us for the day on Saturday morning. We divided into two teams with Patrick and John co-leading one team which worked north from Billy Goat Bend. John and Ken went out of their way to clear a large fallen tree about a km before Jurgenson Point. I lead the other team which worked north from Woolshed Creek near the Den of Nargun. After nine hours out in the field exhausted volunteers appreciated the hot showers and the BBQ meal cooked by volunteers but provided by Parks Victoria.

On Sunday morning a fresh BCWC member joined us for the day. We formed up into our teams with my team walking in to where we finished the previous day to continue clearing the track to the point where the crew finished off last September, 4km south of Billy Goat Bend. We did some light work on the Den of Nargun loop track on the way back.

Patrick and John’s team drove to Angusvale at the northern end of the track, walked in 2.5km and then cleared 750m of heavily overgrown track.

The weather forecast leading up to the activity suggested rain showers on both days, but Saturday was fine all day. There was some light rain at 6am on the Sunday but lightened to no more than a fine misty drizzle which persisted for most of the day and then got heavier when we were back at camp in the evening. Those that stayed over on Sunday night lit a fire, cooked and socialised in one of the camp’s shelters.

Thank you to all the volunteers for making the effort to get to Mitchell River and join the activity. Volunteers contributed 300 on the job hours and spent over 100 hours on travel to get to and back home from the activity. I was impressed with the willingness of people to help out with all the things that needed doing both on and off the job. Thanks also for the camaraderie which despite what the weather does makes these activities so rewarding and enjoyable.

Thanks to Patrick and John for leading the other team. Thanks to Parks Victoria for their support and the BBQ provisions which were very much appreciated. Thanks to Jullie and Geoff our hosts at the Echo Bend Camping Park and a big thank you to the Ben Cruachan Walking Club for picking up the camping fees.

Trail Hiking Australia commented on Facebook “The work you do is incredible and is greatly appreciated by all. Thank you”. The walkers and runners we met on the track agree with that.

Joe van Beek

BTAC Activity Manager and BCWC Tracks and Conservation Officer

True to form, whenever Bushwalking Victoria’s BTAC Volunteer Group and the Friends of Baw Baw carry out track maintenance and conservation activities in the Baw Baw National Park the weather has a say in what gets done.  Saturday was an ideal day for volunteer activities, but Sunday was a very wet day, and we finished early before everyone was completely drenched.

With 24 volunteers and two Parks Victoria Rangers attending we were able to split into 4 groups and tackle a number of priority jobs on this iconic section of the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT). The jobs included vegetation clearing, new board walk installation, drainage clearing and reinstatement and repairs to existing board walks.

In total the group contributed some 480 volunteer hours, 370 on the job and 110 travel hours. BTAC and FoBB volunteers travelled from all over the state to attend.

The vegetation clearing team cleared to Mushroom Rocks ensuring that this popular track is again a family friendly walk. This crew contributed 150 hours, future proofing the track for the next while, barring further tree falls.  The drainage crew which covered the largest distance did some 55 hours. The rain on Sunday tested their work and it stood up well. The board walk repair crew did 40 hours and made an impressive difference. The construction crew did 80 hours constructing and installing new boardwalk sections. Unfortunately, this team had to redo the installation plan as the previously placed location ribbons had all been removed by persons unknown. Ranger Mark’s excellent planning works had to be repeated before they could start. Well done to everyone.

One small and one large project remain.  The small project is to install one remaining section of board walk.  11 of the 12 sections were installed over the weekend.  The larger project is to return the Beech Gully Nature Trail to a walkable state and its former glory.

It was good to see how flexible everyone was to pitch in with the tasks as required. Thanks to Patrick, David, Peter and Mark for leading the teams and Simon for bringing his skills and tools to the construction work.

Thanks to all the volunteers for making the effort to get to Erica for this activity and for all the contributions towards the work despite the weather. The activity was safe and incident free. Thanks also for the camaraderie. It is the volunteers that make these events enjoyable, rewarding and fun activities, so thanks again. Thanks also to Parks Victoria for their support and provision of Saturday’s BBQ to feed the hungry volunteers. Thanks to the Parks Victoria Rangers for all the preparation work, leadership and contributions over the weekend. Finally, a shout out to Anthony and Janine of the Erica Caravan Park who provided camping accommodation for our volunteers at a very generous rate and to the FoBB who picked up the accommodation tab.

Joe van Beek, BTAC Convenor and FoBB Member

Peter Maffei, President FoBB and BTAC Volunteer

As bushwalkers, we see firsthand the beauty and importance of our natural landscapes. We also recognise that climate change is a major threat to the very places we love, making renewable energy essential for a sustainable future. But what happens when renewable energy projects, like large-scale wind farms, are proposed in areas valued for their wilderness, biodiversity, and sense of remoteness?

The proposed Kentbruck Wind Farm near Nelson in western Victoria presents exactly this dilemma. It would help reduce carbon emissions and support the transition to clean energy, yet it also risks impacting the Great South West Walk, Discovery Bay Coastal Park, and vital wildlife habitats. The challenge is finding the right balance—ensuring that renewable energy projects are developed without compromising the unique experiences and ecological values of our protected landscapes.

See the map here

While the benefits of wind energy are clear, we must also ask: Can we avoid placing industrial infrastructure in areas that provide a rare escape from human-made environments? Can renewable energy be developed in ways that don’t diminish the restorative power of nature—a power that is increasingly vital for mental health and well-being?

There are no easy answers, but these are conversations worth having. If you’d like to learn more and have your say on the Kentbruck proposal, you can see the plans and provide feedback via the link below. Submissions close on 31st March 2025.

Let’s ensure a future where renewable energy and nature conservation go hand in hand.

Learn more

As Australians, we are fortunate to have access to some of the most beautiful and diverse natural landscapes in the world. Our parks and forests provide not only incredible outdoor experiences but also essential benefits for public health, biodiversity, and regional economies. However, these vital spaces need greater support to ensure they remain accessible and well-maintained for future generations.

Ahead of the federal election Bushwalking Australia has released a Position Statement, calling on all levels of government to prioritise investment in the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of our natural assets. This includes:

• Increased funding for our parks and forests – Ensuring essential maintenance, infrastructure, and conservation programs are adequately resourced.
• Preserving public access – Protecting the right for all Australians to enjoy nature, not just commercial operators or paying visitors.
• Sustainable tourism planning – Ensuring that tourism developments complement rather than compromise the natural experience that makes these places special.

We know that well-maintained parks and trails are not just good for bushwalkers; they support local communities, encourage active lifestyles, and preserve Australia’s unique landscapes and wildlife. With growing pressures from inadequate funding, inappropriate developments, and increased usage, it is critical that our leaders take action.

We encourage all bushwalkers to read the Bushwalking Australia Position Statement and consider how they can support the call for stronger protections and investment in our natural areas.  We must ensure that Australia’s bushwalking tracks, parks and forests remain a source of adventure, relaxation, and inspiration for generations to come.

Read the full Position Statement here.

Fourteen of our Bush Search and Rescue (BSAR Victoria) members and two Victoria Police Search and Rescue squad members joined the search for the missing bushwalker, Hadi Nazari, on Hannels Spur in New South Wales on Monday 6 January.

The search, coordinated by the NSW Police Rescue Unit, included over 300 people from specialist teams from NSW SES, the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW PolAir and NSW Police from far across the region.

The search base was located at the Geehi campground close to the start of Hannels Spur Track where Hadi Nazari went missing.

Hadi made contact with a group of walkers near a track close to Carruthers Saddle in Kosciuszko National Park on Wednesday 8 January. He was in good health after being lost for 13 days with only two muesli bars and walking a considerable distance through bush and alpine terrain.

There was great teamwork from all agencies involved, excellent coordination by the NSW Police Rescue Unit and much elation from everyone involved in the search when Hadi was located.

More information: Rod Costigan, BSAR Victoria Co-Convener  0417 699 847

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thirteen BTAC volunteers worked on improvements to six kilometers of the Australian Alps Walking Track where it follows the Buenba Creek near the NSW border as follow up to the work completed in March earlier this year. The whole of the 12km section of the AAWT from Johnnies Top to Buenba Road is now a much easier walk.

Volunteers, including two from Canberra started arriving on Thursday afternoon, 12 Dec, to select and set up camp. They were joined by Omeo Ranger, Jo Durrant, on Friday morning. The key task for the day was to find and flag the alignment of the track and to identify and plan the work required. A team started on clearing logs and brush cutting.  Saturday and Sunday were devoted to track improvements which included, clearing fallen trees, cutting back vegetation impinging on the track, repairs to creek crossings, placing logs in damp areas, erecting markers and generally making the track easier to walk. On Monday a team of four volunteers accompanied the ranger on a recce of the 4.5 km section of the AAWT from Macs Creek Track to Dead Horse Creek. They flagged the alignment in preparation for a BTAC activity from 28 Feb to 3 March 2025.

AAWT walkers that were met on the track were most appreciative of the work being done. 300 work hours were contributed by the volunteers and they spent some 150 hours on travel to get to and from the site.

Although the early mornings were cold, warranting beanies and jackets, the days soon warmed up and each day got a bit warmer to somewhere around 30 degrees on Monday. Early starts and early finishes allowing for cooling off in the creek before the camaraderie of shared nibbles, meal preparations and socialising.

Parks Victoria Ranger, Jo Durrant, expressed her appreciation. “A very big thanks from Parks to everyone for another fantastically huge amount of work achieved. With only one Ranger in Omeo at the moment able to do this kind of work I really can’t stress how helpful these working bees are in keeping the track in a state for walkers to enjoy. I continue to be amazed by the BTAC enthusiasm.”

Thanks to Jo for her support and thanks to the volunteers for making the effort to attend, their considerable contribution and companionship.

Joe van Beek

BTAC Activity Manager