Some Otways tracks close

SOME tracks and roads across the Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park have been temporarily closed to traffic as part of an annual program.

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and Parks Victoria put the seasonal road closures in place across winter and spring to protect the road and track network from damage during the wetter months.

The closures are also put in place for driver safety, and to maintain water quality in rivers, creeks and reservoirs.

FFMVic and Parks Victoria consult with a range of stakeholders, including Four Wheel Drive Victoria, to identify sections of the road network that require closures.
Most of the roads and tracks will be reopened in time for the Melbourne Cup Weekend in November, but the closure period may be extended due to weather conditions.

Closures in the Otway Ranges include:

• Gentle Annie Track, Aireys Inlet
• Cowley Track, Barwon Downs
• Bunker Hill Track, Gellibrand, and
• Holy Water Track, Lavers Hill.

“Seasonal road closures prevent damage to roads and tracks during winter and spring, and also ensure dangerous and difficult sections of road are closed for driver safety,” FFMVic Otway district manager David Roberts said.

“While Victoria’s road and track network in forests and parks is open for most of the year – sections of this network would rapidly deteriorate if used during the wetter months.”

To plan a trip and check road closures in state forests and forest parks, head to ffm.vic.gov.au/visiting-state-forests/forest-and-road-closures.

For more information on seasonal closures in parks, head to parkweb.vic.gov.au/safety/closures/seasonal-road-closures2 or phone the DELWP Customer Service Centre on 136 186.