Roadworks to reduce bushfire risk in the Otways

FOREST Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) will begin upgrade works on 60 kilometres of strategic fire access roads across the Otways this week.

The grading and re-sheeting works, part of the $273.3 million Reducing Bushfire Risk Program, will improve safety for both public and firefighting access.

Roads in the Anglesea area that may be temporarily closed while work is completed include Bald Hills Road, Distillery Creek Road, Breakfast Creek Road South, Hammonds Road and No 2 Road.

Works in the eastern Otways area are expected to take about six weeks to complete.

The Hammonds North campground, located in the Forest Park, will be closed for around two weeks during this period, but Parks Victoria’s Hammonds Road campground will remain open.

The western Otways will also see works on Mount McKenzie Track, north of Lavers Hill, for around three weeks from early March.

In the central Otways, works will start in the Forrest area in late March on Kaanglang Road, Delaneys Road and Bridge Track.

This work is expected to take about 10 weeks to complete, with access to the Lake Elizabeth campground and day visitor facilities maintained from the Forrest end of Kaanglang Road.

FFMVic advises that all roads will be open at night and over the Easter break, as no work is planned during this period.