Re: NSW and ACT track and road closures discussion

[Lophophaps]

A suggestion was made for a sticky for each state and territory showing road closures. Please advise here of any edits to the NSW and ACT sticky and of any road closures.

The NSW and ACT sticky is at viewtopic.php?f=36&t=27973

[Warin]

Thoughts ...
As it is for 'road closures' . should not the road closures be at the top of the list?

The NSW fires .. better to have a direct link to 'fires near me'? https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-informa ... es-near-me
and then another one for planned hazard reductions? https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-informa ... reductions

[Lophophaps]

Thanks. I've added the two links, which I did not find when researching the sticky list. I'll ask a few more people about the order of the list.

[Lophophaps]

The Barry Way north of the Victorian border is slow and bumpy. It's 2WD, but care is needed. After rain it may be a little tricky.

[Warin]

The Barry Way north of the Victorian border is slow and bumpy. It's 2WD, but care is needed. After rain it may be a little tricky.

It does close after heavy rain.

[Zapruda]

An update for Namadgi.... This was sent around to local Canberra clubs

FYI Everyone.

Early notice - imminent closure of Namadgi National Park for an extended period. Please note that this is a 'head's-up' notice. The official alerts from ACT Parks, Emergency Services etc will be posted shortly on the relevant websites. This is to give you all some early warning in case you need to reconsider your plans.

NAMADGI NATIONAL PARK

Because of high fire risk and the current stretching of ACT resources assisting with bush fires in NSW, Namadgi National Park is likely to be closed to the public and for non-essential management activities as follows:

From, and including, Weds 11 Dec 19 - The Bimberi Wilderness.

From, and including, Mon 23 Dec 19 - The whole of Namadgi National Park.

The park looks like it will remain closed until substantial rainfall is received. This is estimated to be no earlier than 01 Mar 20 with a likely extension beyond this date if rain is not received.

A list of affected parks can be found here https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/alerts/alerts-list

[Zapruda]

Its official now

https://www.environment.act.gov.au/home ... Kp-y8d7G0k

ACT Conservator of Flora and Fauna Ian Walker has closed the Bimberi Wilderness due to significant fire danger in remote regions of Namadgi National Park.
The closure will remain in place until the end of March 2020.

Summer conditions and soil dryness means there is an increased fire threat to people accessing the Bimberi Wilderness. The remoteness of the area significantly limits ability to control fires.

Bimberi Wilderness is a 28,900-hectare area and makes up 27% of Namadgi National Park. It is also a popular destination for many back-country bushwalkers and users of the Australian Alps Walking Track, which is why we must ensure the safety of visitors to the park.

Specific locations impacted:
The ACT section of the Australian Alps walking track
Pryors Hut
Mt Gingera
Mt Bimberi
Cotter Hut
Upper Cotter, Namadgi National Park

Public access to the Bimberi Wilderness area will be closed at:
Ginini Carpark, Mt Franklin Road
Stockyard Spur, via Corin Dam Road
Smokers trail, via Corin Hub
Cotter Hut road, via Orroral Valley
Leura gap
Murray gap
Yaouk gap

Signage of the closure will be placed at all locations impacted.
For more information on the Bimberi Wilderness closure please contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

[potato]

The Barry Way north of the Victorian border is slow and bumpy. It's 2WD, but care is needed. After rain it may be a little tricky.

Isn't it always like this especially south of the border?

[potato]

Its official now

https://www.environment.act.gov.au/home ... Kp-y8d7G0k

ACT Conservator of Flora and Fauna Ian Walker has closed the Bimberi Wilderness due to significant fire danger in remote regions of Namadgi National Park.
The closure will remain in place until the end of March 2020.

Summer conditions and soil dryness means there is an increased fire threat to people accessing the Bimberi Wilderness. The remoteness of the area significantly limits ability to control fires.

Bimberi Wilderness is a 28,900-hectare area and makes up 27% of Namadgi National Park. It is also a popular destination for many back-country bushwalkers and users of the Australian Alps Walking Track, which is why we must ensure the safety of visitors to the park.

Specific locations impacted:
The ACT section of the Australian Alps walking track
Pryors Hut
Mt Gingera
Mt Bimberi
Cotter Hut
Upper Cotter, Namadgi National Park

Public access to the Bimberi Wilderness area will be closed at:
Ginini Carpark, Mt Franklin Road
Stockyard Spur, via Corin Dam Road
Smokers trail, via Corin Hub
Cotter Hut road, via Orroral Valley
Leura gap
Murray gap
Yaouk gap

Signage of the closure will be placed at all locations impacted.
For more information on the Bimberi Wilderness closure please contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

I understand there will be increased ranger patrols of the area during this period for those who feel this doesn't apply to them.

[Zapruda]

I hope so.

[GBW]

I've just seen some idiot on Facebook "Bikepacking Australia" riding through Murray Gap ignoring closure signs ...no brains.

[Zapruda]

Murrays gap is a no go for bikes despite closures. This isn’t the first time bikes have gone though there. Reckless and thoughtless... Boils my blood.

[GBW]

I know it's off limits to bikes Zapruda. He's even mentioned he saw the closure signs and rode straight past. What a tool.

[Zapruda]

There needs to be a name and shame register for people like that.

[wildwanderer]

Report to parks. Name and shame.

[Zapruda]

Link Road from Snowy Mountains Highway to Goat Ridge Road

Tooma Road - KNP5 (Khancoban to Cabramurra Road) - expected reopening December 2020 (Round Mountain access)

[Lophophaps]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-05/ ... g-post-851
"The Bureau of Meteorology's Jonathan How says parts of southern Sydney have been lashed by more than 20 centimeters of rain in 24 hours, which is more than 17 per cent of the city’s annual average."

"As we heard a short time ago, trains are not running between Katoomba and Mt Victoria due to a landslip."

It's quite possible that other roads and foot tracks will be washed away or collapse without warning. In the last year there was such a collapse, possibly more, in the BMNP. Take care.

Does anyone know where a map showing NSW towns, main roads and flood warnings can be found?

[Zapruda]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-05/nsw-sydney-flooding-live-updates-july-5-2022/101208292#live-blog-post-851
"The Bureau of Meteorology's Jonathan How says parts of southern Sydney have been lashed by more than 20 centimeters of rain in 24 hours, which is more than 17 per cent of the city’s annual average."

"As we heard a short time ago, trains are not running between Katoomba and Mt Victoria due to a landslip."

It's quite possible that other roads and foot tracks will be washed away or collapse without warning. In the last year there was such a collapse, possibly more, in the BMNP. Take care.

Does anyone know where a map showing NSW towns, main roads and flood warnings can be found?

https://www.livetraffic.com/

https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/

[Lophophaps]

Zapruda, thanks. I had seen the SES map, which lacks names, not especially useful. The Live traffic map is much better,and the search function is good.

[Lophophaps]

A number of vehicular and foot tracks in Kosciuszko NP are or will be closed.
https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rese ... k-upgrades
A PDF can be downloaded.

One section says:
Main Range Walk is snow covered in spring. Work will be carried out on several sections commencing in late November until February 2023. The traverse above Lake Albina will be closed whilst the upgrade works take place. Other sections of the
walk may be temporarily closed whilst materials are flown in and where a temporary diversion is not available.

Does anyone know what is being planned for the traverse above Lake Albina?

[johnw]

Does anyone know what is being planned for the traverse above Lake Albina?

It's getting very touristy with all the work going on up there. I don't know the answer but I will take an educated guess.
They started track hardening along the Main Range track some years ago now, installing paving stone flagging from Kosci to around Muellers Peak from memory.
They did the same on the western approach/descent of Carruthers Peak. In the last couple of years then installed raised metal walkway from there to the north end of Lake Albina to divert the track away from sensitive windswept feldmark veg. My guess is a continuation of that overall work, as the Albina high pass area is the only remaining unhardened section. And the hordes that now walk the circuit are unbelievable. Pretty narrow bench, so I'd guess stonework/paving is likely along there.

[Lophophaps]

In the 1970s the "track" from the top of the quad to Rawson Pass was very muddy, on par with the Overland Track. The steel boardwalks fixed this, necessary. Coming from Charlotte Pass, the track on the Blue Lake side of the Snowy River was paved in 1991 when I went there. The steps from the summit road towards Albina were installed maybe 15 years ago. The recent steel track bypassed a sensitive feldmark area. These were arguably necessary for conservation measures. The benched rocky track above Albina is stable, and I see no need to change this. The current benched track gives a bit of an adventure. Also, the steel is slippery; I was nearly blown off north of Albina. A few tourists were scared, crouched down and unable to move. I'm advised that a railing would trip XC skiers.

While there are other wild places, making too much provision for tourists decreases the attraction. Tourists should learn what tracks can be like, a bit rough at times. If they have it all paved, boardwalks, manicured they could get into a false sense of security, going on a similar walk and finding it to be much rougher..

[Zapruda]

The track above Albina has had a few landslips and the uptick of people using the track has caused serious erosion.

Works will also be done on the paved road from Charlotte Pass to the Snowy.

Plenty of other tracks are having work done on them as well, including DHG. Its going to be a noisy summer with all those helicopters flying around.

Unfortunately the Main Range has become Kosciuszko NP' sacrificial playground for the masses.

More info here - https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/-/me ... kpBSSkarGA

[Bluff]

https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/vi ... cal-alerts

To remind people that aren't so bright to look up the closed areas (mostly for shooting pest animals) before you drive to the trail head

[Lophophaps]

The dates in the link are not the same as the sign, confusing.