By Tyler Wright
Sections of the Sassafras Creek walking track remain closed after the June 2021 storm, raising concerns from a local resident about accessibility for those across the Hills.
Monbulk’s Luke Hoare, said a bridge south of of Baynes Park Road – which connects the town to Emerald and Kallista by foot – has still not been repaired after more than two years, along with other bridges along the trail.
“It makes it more difficult to run around the local area, because I’m more on busier roads and in different places that aren’t designated for walking or running or exercising,” he said.
“It reduces the amount of options for people that are close to town – you have to go further out of town to find other areas to walk or run in – maybe over to the other areas of the Dandenongs where paths are still open.”
Mr Hoare said more damage along the Sassafras Creek trail, along with overgrown vegetation, has made large large portions of the walking track unusable.
“It’s a tourist [track], but it wouldn’t be very good to come and visit,“ he said.
Parks Victoria District Manager, Brendan Sullivan, said Parks Victoria is “making progress” on bridges, tracks and boardwalks destroyed by the 2021 storms in the Dandenong Ranges.
“All impacted visitor sites are open except William Ricketts Sanctuary, Mechanics Track in Dandenong Ranges National Park and sections of Sassafras Creek Walking Track in Sassafras Creek Nature Conservation Reserve,” Mr Sullivan said.
“Reconstruction of two boardwalks along Sassafras Creek are underway, as is a rebuild of Micawber Park Bridge in Dandenong Ranges National Park.
“This follows two bridge rebuilds completed in September, as well as the repair of damaged track near Nobles Lane, opening up the popular Sassafras Creek Walking Track from its start in the township of Sassafras to Beagleys Bridge. We are engaging a contractor to replace the bridge south of Baynes Park Reserve in Monbulk.”
Mr Sullivan also said Parks Victoria is continuing to work on plans to reopen other damaged assets along Mechanics Track in the Dandenong Ranges National Park, with repairs to one bridge completed last month.
“Plans to reopen Olinda Falls Lower Viewing Platform are progressing after recent repairs to the steps and lower bridge,” he said.
“As a responsible land manager we have to take a safety-first approach and close access when there’s a known risk to visitors.
“We are grateful to the local community, our stakeholders and visitors for their patience and extra care around active work sites.”
It’s understood storm and flood events in 2022 impacted 52 parks, piers and other sites across the Parks Victoria estate, with the body leading a large-scale recovering operation across the state.
William Ricketts Sanctuary – which was heavily impacted by the 2021 storm event – is set to take longer than other sites to reopen due to the sheer scale of the damage and the artistic and cultural importance of the sculptures at the site.
Works are also underway to repair Wattle Track Bridge in Sherbrooke Forest, which was destroyed by large tree fall in 2019.
