1000 Steps Dandenong Ranges to remain closed until late 2022

Parks Victoria has come under fire after it was revealed the 1000 Steps won’t reopen until late 2022, more than a year after storms ripped through the area.

Damage at the 1000 Steps after the June 2021 storms. Picture: Parks Victoria

The 1000 Steps remains closed nine months after devastating storms ripped through the Dandenong Ranges, with no reopening date set for the popular fitness spot.

Parks Victoria said the 1.4km track was extensively impacted by the storm last June, with about 150 trees falling across the steep track, dislodging many concrete steps and causing extensive damage to the safety hand rails and support posts.

The Steps were damaged again by another storm in October.

“Recovery and repair of the track continues to progress, with Parks Victoria hopeful of being able to re-open the site in late 2022, supported by a $6.6 million investment from the Victorian Government for recovery works in storm-affected parks and reserves,” Parks Victoria posted online.

The storm uprooted concrete steps along the track. Picture: Parks Victoria

A tree over the trail. Picture: Parks Victoria

It said the scale of the damage combined with the steep narrow terrain leading up the mountain had made access and the recovery task “incredibly challenging”.

Many readers have questioned why the repair works are taking so long.

“This is pretty standard for (Parks Victoria),” Makros said.

“Some years ago Badger Weir Park and Maroondah Dam were damaged by strong winds and it took forever for them to be reopened.”

Michele called on local member James Merlino to take action.

“This area is in Merlino’s electorate and (it) should have been fixed by now,” she said.

The nearby Lyrebird Track remains open to the public.

According to Yarra Ranges Council, 75 houses were left inhabitable and a further 135 were damaged by the storm that felled 25,000 trees and affected 300km of the Yarra Ranges road network, preventing businesses from receiving customers for more than a month.