SOME roads and tracks in Victoria\u2019s forests and parks located in the Barwon South West region have been temporarily closed during winter and spring.<\/p>\n
Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and Parks Victoria run the Seasonal Road Closure program to ensure driver safety and to protect forest and park roads from damage during the cooler months.<\/p>\n
FFMVic regional manager for forest and fire planning Tim Gazzard said the second and main round of the road closures for 2018 came into\u00a0effect from June 14.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis follows the initial round of closures, which came into effect from May 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe seasonal road closure program is an important procedure during winter and spring.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt helps limit the damage done to forest roads and tracks during the wetter seasons and in doing so, ensures dangerous and difficult to negotiate sections of road are closed to ensure motorist safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese measures also help maintain water quality in rivers, creeks and reservoirs by reducing the amount of erosion and silt washed away from roads and tracks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe encourage the social and recreational use of Victoria\u2019s beautiful natural resources, including four-wheel driving, but some sections of the forest road network would rapidly disintegrate if opened for the entire year.<\/p>\n
\u201cParks and reserves in the Barwon South West\u00a0region that will have road closures include:
\n\u2022 Dergholm State Park
\n\u2022 Great Otway National Park
\n\u2022 Narrawong Flora Reserve
\n\u2022 Port Campbell National Park, and
\n\u2022 Otway Forest Park.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether FFMVic and Parks Victoria consult with a range of stakeholders, including Four Wheel Drive Victoria, to identify sections of the road network which require closures.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost of the roads and tracks are re-opened in time for the Melbourne Cup Weekend, but the closure period can be extended if the conditions demand it.\u201d<\/p>\n
To plan a trip and check road closures, head to ffm.vic.gov.au\/visiting-state-forests\/forestand- road-closures.<\/p>\n
For information on seasonal closures in parks, including opening and closing dates, head to parkweb.vic.gov.au\/safety\/closures\/seasonalroad- closures2.<\/p>\n
You can also contact your local DELWP office by phoning 13 61 86 or Parks Victoria on 13 19 63.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SOME roads and tracks in Victoria\u2019s forests and parks located in the Barwon South West region have been temporarily closed during winter and spring. Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and Parks Victoria run the Seasonal Road Closure program to ensure driver safety and to protect forest and park roads from damage during the cooler months. […]<\/p>\n