Category: News

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Parks Victoria – Deer Control Program – Bunyip SP and Kurth Kiln RP

Deer Control Program in Bunyip State Park and Kurth Kiln Regional Park

November 2022 – June 2023

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Parks Victoria is responsible for conservation management to restore and protect park habitat, including the control of introduced plant and animal species. Following the 2019 bushfires affecting Bunyip State Park, Parks Victoria has observed large numbers of deer within the park. While over 500 deer were removed by professional contractors between July 2020 and December 2021, deer are still relatively abundant. This has also been confirmed by reports from the local community.

Control of deer is required within key areas of the park for the protection of waterway catchments along the Diamond and Cannibal Creeks, the Diamond Creek Reference Area and along the Bunyip River aqueduct. With the program’s extension to the north and east of previous control works, the impact of deer on threatened flora and communities will be further reduced across the park footprint.

Parks Victoria will be undertaking a controlled, safe and humane deer control operation targeting Fallow and Sambar Deer using ground shooting within Bunyip State Park and Kurth Kiln Regional Park (see map of control areas attached). The program will:

  • Reduce habitat structure damage and minimise browsing impacts on habitat regeneration following bushfire.
  • Focus on movement corridors that aim to reduce the impact of deer grazing on surrounding private land.

The program will operate between the November 2022 and June 2023 using accredited and authorised ground shooting contractors. Safety is of utmost importance to Parks Victoria and the program will follow strict safety protocols. Signs will be displayed at all official entrance points to the control zones during the control operation.

Refer above for location map of area subject to deer control

Jack Dingreve | Area Chief Ranger |Gembrook

 

Notice to Neighbours_Bunyip2022_23(JD)

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BTAC volunteers clear the Valley of Destruction

Fourteen BTAC volunteers worked with Parks Victoria to improve walking access to Tali Karng from the Tamboritha Road in January 2023. They made improvements to the many river crossings on the Wellington River to make navigation easier, cleared overhanging vegetation and did some work on the Riggall Spur Track, but the main emphasis was clearing the overgrown  6.5 km Clive Lanigan Memorial Track through the Valley of Destruction terminating at Tali Karng. It wasn’t all hard work, there was great camaraderie at the camp and volunteers were entertained by the antics of a small black platypus in the Wellington River adjacent to the camp site.

This was a logistically challenging activity with weather and access tracks needing to be dry for the activity to go ahead.  It was clear a few days out that the conditions were favourable and that the contingency work would have to wait for another day. The volunteers gathered at Muttonwood Camp on the Wellington River north of Licola on Australia Day ready for an early start next morning to get to and establish camp at the base of Riggall Spur Track, 13km upstream from Tamboritha Road.  

On the Friday morning participants parked their vehicles at the Platypus Camp and walked with day packs up the Wellington River, attending to river crossing improvements with hand tools, to the camp site. All camping gear, supplies for the weekend, tools, equipment and PPE were transported to the camp site by two Parks Victoria vehicles which negotiated a network of 4WD tracks, including Management Vehicles Only tracks, to get to the camping spot. A few volunteers scored a ride on the vehicles. Brush cutters were used to clear sufficient area for all the tents and amenities. 

Saturday’s forecast was for temperatures into the 30’s so it was an early 7:00am start and an early finish for the two work teams. All workers were back in camp by 2:30pm to make full use of the river and shade to keep cool.  It was during the afternoon that Meredith sighted the little platypus as it made its way upstream time and time again, sometimes leaving the water, just to be swept downstream by the current again to a pool created by a log across the river. Parks Victoria rangers provided the volunteers with a sumptuous BBQ for the evening meal. 

Sunday and Monday were long days as each day the walk to the start of work and return from knock off position was longer. Fortunately these days were cooler, but still a bit humid. It was heavy work to clear the track of vegetation and fallen logs among all the rocks. The lake, Tali Karng, was reached around 2:30pm on Monday, mission achieved. That night the volunteers slept well with the satisfaction of a job well done.

 

On Tuesday the camp was packed up and everything stowed on the Parks Victoria vehicles for the journey back to the cars at Platypus Camp. The majority of the volunteers walked the full distance back to the cars with some still having enough energy to do some track clearing with hand tools along the way. The team contributed some 650 volunteer hours to achieve the objective.

Many thanks to the Parks Victoria Rangers, Tehan, Bek and Sam for their hospitality, facilitation and support. Thanks to Patrick for leading the second team and thanks to all the participants for their dedication to the task and their camaraderie throughout the six days. 

Joe van Beek, BTAC Activity Leader

 

 

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Wilson’s Promontory Revitalisation Project

The Victorian Government is investing $23M to revitalise Wilsons Promontory NP. It will become Victoria’s largest conservation sanctuary and have improved visitor experiences.

The current proposed scope for the Wilsons Prom Revitalisation includes:

  • an exclusion fence across the Yanakie Isthmus – together with conservation programs, the fence is designed to stop destructive introduced species, helping make the national park a sanctuary where native animals and plants can thrive
  • an upgrade of the visitor area at Tidal River with improved toilets, seats, shelter and a renewed visitor centre
  • additional cabin-style accommodation outside the northern park boundary, and at Tidal River
  • upgrades to the Wildlife Walk to make it all-abilities accessible
  • a new Telegraph Saddle trail to connect Tidal River and Mt Oberon.

Parks Victoria is doing feasibility studies, assessments and talking to the community about their ideas and preferences.  The draft designs for the visitor area at Tidal River are now available and open for public comment.

Find out more and stay informed by registering on Engage Victoria:  https://engage.vic.gov.au/wilsons-prom

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Melbourne Women’s Walking Club – Centenary Grand Finale at Warburton

Walking into History – Making History

Way back in 1922, October and November were busy months for a small group of Melbourne women, then excluded from established walking clubs, who wanted to start a women’s walking club. On the 15th October, to ‘initially test their walking powers’, 10 intrepid women set out to walk from Warburton to Woori Yallock. In pouring rain only some started but even they quickly returned to shelter with the remaining group to await the train back home! However, this did not deter our amazing forbears for very long.

By the end of November 1922, Melbourne Women’s Walking Club (MWWC) was established with the committee and rules ratified, the Club name adopted (we narrowly avoided being called the Melbourne Ladies’ Walking Club!!) and the first walking program approved.

One hundred years later in mid-November 2022 for our final Centenary celebration, nearly 90 Club members participated in a three-day walking bonanza based at Pallotti College at Millgrove.

Our preparations were not without challenges. In the weeks leading up to the weekend recent storm damage meant that our wonderful walk leaders had to adapt and navigate trying conditions to re-scout and in part modify the planned weekend’s walk program to ensure it could safely take place.

However, the weather gods were on our side, and over the three days we were blessed with a smorgasbord of walking (13 walks in total of varying grades) – without rain and even with some sunshine! River strolls, powerful waterfalls, stunning rainforest, puffing up some hills, discovering the site of our old Club Hut at Britannia Creek, along with patches of snow, towering Mountain Ash, spectacular views, the odd snake and a few leeches successfully given the flick, all added to our experience.

I loved the variety of walks and the way the walks and activities catered for everyone.

My only complaint was that I couldn’t do all the walks that were on offer.

A special ‘Chill out’ program was offered to those members who now have more limited walking capacity or who just wanted a rest day. This program included a trip to the Rainforest Gallery, a picnic overlooking the hills and a wonderful visit to a beautiful local garden.

I was very impressed with the Chill-out program. It showed that the Club has fostered a caring community.

While our days started with meditation or gentle yoga, in the evenings we had fun. We line-danced Friday evening away led by Club members who are also ‘veteran’ line-dancers. Our Saturday evening extravaganza began with a glass of bubbly with pre-dinner nibbles and dining at tables adorned with our Centenary decorations. Organised by MWWC’s wonderful socials’ team, the entertainment included an ‘MWWC history timeline’, a quiz to stretch our grey cells and our Aussie Camino Allstars leading us in an Olivia Newton-John dancing tribute!

All of this was washed down with lovely food, a glass of wine and great conversations. After two years of COVID disruptions, the weekend offered another chance for old and new members to celebrate together, re-connect and strengthen our sense of community.

I loved the opportunity to meet, walk and socialise with lots of members I hadn’t previously met – this was a real highlight for me.

This final Centenary celebration literally finished with a BANG. On our last night the winds blew ferociously, lightning lit up the sky, thunder cracked overhead, and the rain poured down with a massive tree falling and blocking the road. Amazingly the next morning the sun shone, the road had been cleared and we left safely after a simply wonderful weekend.

It was the first time that MWWC had undertaken such an ambitious program, offering a diverse range of walks and activities to so many MWWC participants. It was a huge team effort. We are particularly grateful for the early advice and support of Robyn Shingles from Bushwalking Victoria.

The weekend was a wonderful final celebration of MWWC’s Centenary year and as a first, while we were celebrating our history, we were also making history.

The weekend was wonderful; the venue was perfect with the right mixture of spaces, superb vistas and soulfulness. It was modest and affordable and after three attempts, I finally worked out how to have a good shower!!

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BTAC Volunteers clear 5km of AAWT near Mt Bogong

Walkers, skiers and horse riders using the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) will be pleased with the improved track along The Long Spur linking Mt Bogong and Mt Wills. After a year of planning, including a recce, sixteen BTAC volunteers supported by two Parks Victoria Rangers employed chainsaws, brush cutters, hedge trimmers and rakes to clear logs and densely encroaching vegetation. Volunteers included representatives from six clubs affiliated to Bushwalking Victoria and they contributed some 550 volunteer hours over the weekend.

An advance party arrived at the Mulhauser camp site on Thursday 1 December to set up camp and clear the 1km access track on to The Long Spur. The remainder of the team arrived Friday afternoon to get established. Work started in earnest on Saturday morning with the planned clearing, from Bossiaea Hill to a kilometre beyond Mulhauser Spur, completed by Sunday afternoon. It took some time to get all the equipment back to camp. The Parks Victoria rangers kindly provided the provisions for a sumptuous barbecue meal on Saturday night. The preparation and cleaning up was shared by the whole team. By 9:30 on Monday morning the camp was packed up and vacated – another successful BTAC activity!

John Green, the project manager for this activity, commented, “there was a good feeling of camaraderie among the group, all working together so efficiently to see such a length of track cleared to such a high standard”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Wilsons Promontory Revitalisation Project

The Victorian Government is investing $23 million to revitalise Wilsons Promontory National Park. It will become Victoria’s largest conservation sanctuary and have improved visitor experiences.

The current proposed scope for the Wilsons Prom Revitalisation includes:

  • an exclusion fence across the Yanakie Isthmus – together with conservation programs, the fence is designed to stop destructive introduced species, helping make the national park a sanctuary where native animals and plants can thrive
  • an upgrade of the visitor area at Tidal River with improved toilets, seats, shelter and a renewed visitor centre
  • additional cabin-style accommodation outside the northern park boundary, and at Tidal River
  • upgrades to the Wildlife Walk to make it all-abilities accessible
  • a new Telegraph Saddle trail to connect Tidal River and Mt Oberon.

Parks Victoria is doing feasibility studies, assessments and talking to the community about their ideas and preferences.

The draft designs for the visitor area at Tidal River are now available and open for public comment.

Find out more and stay informed by registering on Engage Victoria:  https://engage.vic.gov.au/wilsons-prom

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Join the Great Aussie Hike!

If you enjoy a community walking challenge, why not join The Great Aussie Hike on the Mornington Peninsula on 24-25 March 2023.

The Great Aussie Hike embraces the great Aussie spirit of mates looking after each other. They promote walking in nature with friends as a way to strengthen mental health. Their program provides a guide for mates to build up walking endurance with a training program for every starting level. Additional elements such as strengthening exercises, talking topics, increased hydration and mindset activities all contribute to the development of new habits leading to long term mental health benefits.Teams choose from 30km, 43km, 57km or 100km courses, with share-the-distance options available. The focus is heavily on supporting each other and working as a team to get to the finish line, while having the logistical support of an event to ensure safety, amenities and fun is top priority.

The walk will wind its way around the hidden treasures of the Mornington Peninsula in a custom designed course. The diversity over the 100km makes this an incredible experience for all involved.

The Great Aussie Hike is a perfect way for those who already love walking to step up as a team captain and help their mates to develop an active lifestyle that will improve their mental wellbeing. Alternatively you can join the fun by volunteering and helping to support these amazing walkers on course and also raise vital funds for Lifeline Australia.

More details at: www.greataussiehike.com.au

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Melbourne Women’s Walking Club wins Victorian Community History Award!

The Melbourne Women’s Walking Club has won the Victorian Community History Award for best collaborative community history for their book Still on Track: 100 Years of the Melbourne Women’s Walking Club.  Their award was presented at a ceremony held recently at the Arts Centre Melbourne. The judges said:

“Still on Track: 100 Years of the Melbourne Women’s Walking Club is an engaging read. Well-presented, blending stories from the past and present of the club, Still on Track traces landmarks in the club’s history and explores what the club has meant to members over the decades. It is inclusive of many voices and, while charting a long history, explores the relevance of the club to its members today. Many collaborators have combined to produce this exemplary people-centred and participatory history which shows the social significance of the club.”

Congratulations to all involved in the production of this wonderful publication.

Melbourne Womens Walking Club group
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Warby Ranges FedWalks – a Great Team Effort!

The 2022 FedWalks event, held in North-East Victoria on 1-2 October, was a great success. Whilst the event was based in Wangaratta, about 200 participants enjoyed walks in three contrasting locations – the Warby Ranges, Mt Buffalo and Beechworth and surrounds.

Flooding rivers proved a challenge, with two walks needing to be cancelled; some rerouting of other walks was also required. Luckily, the weekend’s weather was wonderful and a sense of community was palpable. As Cecily Fletcher, the 2022 FedWalks Coordinator, said: “Beyond the statistics, the real measures of success were evident in the enthusiasm of participants gathering in the morning to head out on their walks; the warmth and friendliness evident as people returned with stories to tell; the relaxed banter around the tables at dinner; and the energy reserves found by those moved to dance to the entertainment on Saturday night!”

The dedication, persistence and hard work of the organising clubs, walk leaders and myriad volunteers must be applauded. Their efforts, along with support from key members of the 2021 FedWalks organising committee and Bushwalking Victoria, continue the wonderful Federation Walks legacy.

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Proposed Metropolitan and Regional Parks Regulations changes

There’s been a bit of a stir in the media recently about proposed changes to Metropolitan and Regional Parks regulations impacting on bushwalking activities in Victoria.
We thought we’d share the detail missing from the articles, which is available via the Engage Victoria website:  https://engage.vic.gov.au/MRP_Regulations
The list of affected parks is included in Appendix A of the downloadable document. Most are metropolitan parks or small regional parks and won’t affect our bushwalking activities. In fact many will be better protected under the proposed changes.
It is a timely reminder though to stay abreast of public consultation opportunities and have your say BEFORE decisions are made. It’s often too late when it is picked up by the national media.
Stay informed by signing up to: Https://engage.vic.gov.au