By Tyler Wright
Three parks in the Yarra Ranges hit by the June 2021 storm event are yet to reopen over two years since strong winds blew trees down across the area.
Friends of Sassafras Creek president, Jane Hollands, said parts of the Sassafras Creek Nature Conservation Reserve remain closed to the public.
“A lot of the tracks are very hard to see and to find. They’re just totally overgrown with weeds,” Ms Hollands said.
“There’s a little area from the bottom of the Alfred Nicholas Gardens down to Beagley’s Bridge, which is open and still in reasonable and still in okay condition, although the path is very overgrown.”
Ms Hollands said bridges on the Sassafras Creek walking track -a popular trek for walkers – are still not repaired.
“There are other areas that are still not open and very hard to get through because of the bridges not being down,” she said.
“The Sassafras Creek walking track to Belgrave from Sassafras is very popular, and I believe that people are still walking it and just clambering over the bridges. But it’s not making it safer for anyone.”
Parks Victoria Regional Director Sofia De Lesantis said ongoing park closures include William Ricketts Sanctuary and Silvan Reservoir Park, as well as “heavily impacted assets within Sassafras Creek Nature Conservation Reserve and the Mechanics Track in the Dandenong Ranges National Park”.
“We are continuing to work on a plan to reopen the William Ricketts Sanctuary, but it is going to take longer than other sites due to the sheer scale of the damage and the artistic and cultural importance of the sculptures,” Ms De Lesantis said.
“Plans to fully reopen Silvan Reservoir Park, the Mechanics Track, Sassafras Creek Walk and Sassafras Creek Bridge are in progress, with the start of repairs subject to availability of insurance funding.
“The local team were thrilled to reopen the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk – the famous 1000 Steps – on October 3 last year, after more than 150 trees fell around and across the steep and narrow track.”
Ms De Lesantis also said Parks Victoria has fully re-opened 14 of the 17 parks in the Yarra Ranges impacted by the 2021 storm.
“We know it’s disappointing that parts of the Dandenong and Yarra Ranges remain closed but as a responsible land manager we have to take a safety-first approach and close access when there’s a known risk to visitors,” she said.
“We are grateful to the local community, our stakeholders and visitors for their patience and continued priority to keep safe by staying outside of closed areas.”
