Urgent call for action to stop traffic chaos at Warburton’s unique Redwood Forest

SOCIAL media is being blamed for increasing hordes of tourists flocking to Warburton’s unique Californian Redwood Forest and causing traffic chaos.

Warburton’s Redwood Forest is a tourist drawcard.

SOCIAL media is being blamed for increasing hordes of tourists flocking to Warburton’s unique Californian Redwood Forest and causing traffic chaos.

Yarra Ranges councillor Jim Child has called for urgent action after Cement Creek Rd was gridlocked with visitors to the popular nature spot parking both sides of the road during the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

Cr Child said the redwood forest’s popularity had boomed because of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The Queen’s Birthday weekend debacle was mentioned on Yarra Ranges Noticeboard with Diane posting worries about pedestrian safety and congestion.

She said while the redwood forest was a magical place to visit, the road had become a traffic hazard.

“This has to be controlled before someone is tragically hurt,” she said.

Cr Child has pushed for immediate multi-agency action from the council, police, VicRoads and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

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The council will also investigate sealing Cement Creek Rd to stop dust and road degradation.

“(Queen’s Birthday) was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Cr Child said.

“There was gridlock and traffic jams after the carpark was full, the overflow went as far as Woods Point Rd.”

He said because there was no toilets at the site, visitors had taken to relieving themselves in residents’ gardens.

Parks Victoria assistant district manager Georgia Kerr said they were working with the council to improve visitor management and safety along the road.

Ms Kerr said Parks Victoria had increased ranger patrols an are working on more parking, creating a walking track and installing new directional, regulation, information and entrance signage.

She said visitors should consider some of the other great natural attractions in the area including Mt Donna Buang, Rainforest Gallery, Upper Yarra Reservoir, O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail and the surrounding state forests.