Road closure: Landslip forces closure of Omeo Highway near Mitta Mitta
An “intense” thunderstorm caused a large landslip on one of the state’s most remote highways. See pictures from the scene.
High country residents dealt with the closure of another major road between the North East and East Gippsland on Thursday following an “intense” thunderstorm that dumped more than 100mm in the area affected.
The Omeo Highway closed on Thursday morning due to a landslip 1km south of Mitta Mitta and reopened late in the day.
A large thunderstorm moved through the area late on Wednesday and more than 40mm of rain was recorded at the nearby Uplands, Gibbo River Park weather station in the last 24 hours.
But Leading Senior Constable Steve Harris at Mitta Mitta said there was 102mm recorded at nearby Granite Flat on the Omeo Highway.
“It was intense,” he said.
“It bucketed down in a short period.
“Someone said they had 70mm in 20 minutes.
“We had a thunderstorm the night before, but things cleared before coming back even more intense last night.”
Leading Senior Constable Harris said burn-offs had taken place in the same area this year.
He expected one lane of the road to be reopened on Thursday afternoon.
WEATHER WATCH ON SINKHOLE FIX
Heavy rainfall could potentially delay the reopening of the Great Alpine Road following the discovery of a sinkhole south of Harrietville.
A total of 129mm of rain has fallen at nearby Mount Hotham in the last seven days with the road being closed in both directions between Harrietville and Dargo High Plains Road turn-off on Saturday.
An update on works from Transport Victoria states: “We anticipate repair works to be complete early December, weather permitting.
“Our crews are undertaking these works in Alpine conditions where the weather can be unpredictable.
“We will keep the community updated as works progress.”
A total of 44mm was recorded at Mt Hotham in the 24 hours to 9am Wednesday.
The worst of the weather in the area is set to pass on Thursday, but there is the chance of showers into next week.
The sinkhole, near an area known as “The Meg”, is estimated to be 6m deep.
Repair works will involve reinstating the road with layers of compacted crushed rock before replacing the asphalt surface.
It is understood the sinkhole has been caused by the collapse of an entry to a disused mine running underneath the road.
Gold was discovered in Harrietville in 1852 when the town also became a stop over for those heading to the Omeo, Dargo and Glen Wills goldfields.
A coach route between Bright and Omeo opened in 1883.
BUSINESSES BANKING RE-OPENING
Businesses on both approaches to Mount Hotham are hoping a repeat of a lengthy delay in re-opening another high country road can be avoided following the Great Alpine Road closure at the weekend.
A sinkhole was discovered on the Great Alpine Road early Saturday, forcing the immediate closure of the road between Harrietville and the Dargo High Plains Road turn-off near Mount Hotham.
The sinkhole was caused from an old mine shaft under the road and early indications are the major link between Northeast Victoria and East Gippsland will reopen in early December.
But the worst fears of business owners is a repeat of the lengthy closure of the Bogong High Plains Road, between Falls Creek and Mount Beauty between October 2022 and April 2023, that was caused by a landslip.
Access to Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain is still available from Omeo, but Natalie O’Connell, who operates the family-owned New Rush Brewery in Omeo, said the drop off in passing traffic was noticeable on Sunday.
“This is the time of year you get all your car clubs, your motorbikes, cyclists, who are doing all those loops where they will go over Hotham and go back through Falls Creek,” she said.
“This is our really busy time.
“We wouldn’t want another scenario like they had over on The Falls Creek Road when that was shut for so long and the large amount of tourism they lost.
“Hopefully they can get it open again as soon as possible.”
Bright Brewery owner Scott Brandon said the “early December” reopening would be ideal.
“A couple of weeks work on it makes sense,” he said.
“It’s a pretty big hole in the road by all reports and it’s fixed properly.
“But you can still access Omeo via Falls Creek.
“It’s a much longer drive, but it’s still possible.”
Another option is the Benambra-Corryong Road, but again the travel time is longer compared to the Great Alpine Road.
The Great Alpine Road is also the preferred route for trucks transporting livestock to markets from the high country to Wodonga and Corowa.
Join the conversation
Management wages double, while fisheries staff are sacked
The wages bill for executives and senior managers at the Victorian Fisheries Authority have doubled in recent years while 36 frontline staff have been sacked.
Read more
‘Deeply disappointed’: Rural maternity program cut from state budget
A $2.8m program that helped Wimmera Mallee children with maternity care, childcare and paediatric services has been cut by the by the Victorian Government.
Read more