Long path to iconic Tasmanian track repair after devastating bushfires

Some of the state’s most iconic wilderness walks remain closed after they were devastated in bushfires the summer before last — and no date has been set for their reopening.

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NO date has been set for the reopening of some of the state’s most iconic wilderness walks which were devastated in bushfires the summer before last.

Large areas of national park and associated infrastructure were destroyed by a series of fires which burned through 210,000 hectares.

Environment and Parks Minister Roger Jaensch this week announced that work on the popular Mt Anne Circuit would start soon with completion set for December.

Contracts have been issued for work on the track, which includes the Lake Judd Track and the Clearhill Track.

The Lake Rhona Track and the Needles Track have already been reopened. But no opening dates are known for a number of tracks which have been closed due to bushfire damage.

Those tracks are the Huon Track, the Mount Picton Track, the Farmhouse Creek Track, the Eastern Arthur and Western Arthur Range Traverse and McKays Track east of Moraine Kappa, the Rasselas Track and the Adamsfield Track.

The Eastern and Western Arthurs are considered one of Australia’s best bushwalks, attracting visitors from all over the world for their wilderness values and rugged views.

Square Lake. Bushwalking in the Western Arthurs, Tasmania. Picture: PHIL YOUNG

A spokesman said work was under way to restore all of the remaining tracks.

“The 2018-19 bushfires caused extensive damage to a number of walking tracks and the burnt track infrastructure poses a serious safety hazard,” he said.

“Visitor safety and environmental protection are the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service priorities and fire affected areas will remain closed until they are safe for use.

“It is important to note that the fires continued to burn into winter 2019 in many areas. Once the fires were extinguished, a significant program of works was undertaken in which burnt areas were assessed and tree and other hazards made safe.

“These works were followed by environmental assessments, and now the process of tender and construction.”

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