Parks Victoria locks up National Park tracks

Multiple boulders blocking tracks have confronted visitors trying to access campsites at a North East national park. See the details.

One of the access tracks that Parks Victoria has blocked with boulders and dug up to make inaccessible.

Parks Victoria has closed 21 tracks within the Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park, locking out campers and prospectors, contradicting Premier Jacinta Allan’s promise not put a “padlock” on public forests.

Campers and prospectors driving into the park have been confronted by massive boulders blocking the tracks that give access to a multitude of campsites.

Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria member Olly Oleszek said members had been posting images of tracks Parks Victoria had blocked and dug up for 100m, making them impassable.

“You could camp at the ends of these tracks, where you could fit 20-30 people,” Mr Oleszek said. “But now they’ve corralled us into three camping areas, like sardines.”

“What’s happening is the same as in other national parks, where soon you’ll have to book (camp sites) online and pay fees.”

In August Ms Allan told the Herald Sun Bush Summit in her home town of Bendigo: “As Premier, and as a proud country Victorian, I will never put a padlock on our public forest.”

Ms Allan reiterated her promise again last month, as she told parliament she intended to introduce legislation before the end of the year to create 44,000ha of the Pyrenees and Wombat-Lerderderg National Parks next month, with another 390,000ha of Central Highlands state forest under consideration

Opposition environment spokesman James Newbury said the Premier’s “iron-clad promise” had proven to be meaningless, given Parks Victoria’s track closures.

“If the Premier’s word means anything she should personally intervene,” Mr Newbury said.

Another track that Parks Victoria has blocked in the Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park.

However Parks Victoria district manager Jessica Reid has told outdoor recreation groups tracks in the Reedy Creek region of the park were being closed “to improve visitor safety and protect park values”.

“The Reedy Creek has become very popular for day visitors, campers and prospectors and many illegal tracks have been formed.

“These are not part of Parks Victoria’s formal track network and are not maintained. They are deeply rutted, unsafe and affecting environmental values in the area.

“Access roads into the popular camping and prospecting areas along Reedy Creek (which are part of the formal track network) will be improved. However, we will be consolidating the illegal track network.

“There will be changes to access, including the use of signage and large rocks to close illegally formed tracks. These tracks will be revegetated. Dispersed camping areas will be better defined to improve visitor safety.

“We wanted to highlight (in case there were any concerns) that prospecting is still allowed in Reedy Creek and in other designated areas of Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park, for prospectors who hold a current Miner’s Right.”

Mr Oleszek said the tracks were not illegal and had been around for a century.

Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos reinficed Parks Victoria’s comments, saying “I want to assure the community that Reedy Creek is not being locked up - Parks Victoria are improving access roads to the popular camping and prospecting areas that visitors love.

“This also includes upgrading and improving the safety of the informal track network so that visitors can continue access the many great camping spots within the park. These tracks will be reopened as soon as possible.”