Princes Highway shut by fires finally reopens

After more than a month of being blocked off due to fire danger, the Princes Highway has finally reopened. But some roads in East Gippsland remain on restricted access.

The Princes Highway has reopened after being closed for more than a month due to East Gippsland’s deadly bushfires.

Large sections of the road were blocked due to the fire danger and the hazard caused by fallen trees.

The final roadblock, on the stretch of highway between Cann River and the NSW border, was lifted today.

It followed a major clean-up effort involving multiple agencies, including the Australian Defence Force.

Workers remove trees on the Princes Highway near Mallacoota.

There was a hazard posed not only from toppled trees, but those at risk of falling.

But while the Princes Highway was cleared of damage and debris, roads off the Princes could still be unsafe for travel, The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning warned.

The road to Mallacoota was only accessible to local residents and business owners and a proof of residence may be required to show at checkpoints.

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Since the fires started in late December, there have been 650km of roads across Victoria reopened, while 220km remain on restricted access, a State Control Centre media spokeswoman said.

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