Trees in the Whroo state forest deliberately torn down

A five-kilometre stretch of a well-travelled historic Gold and Ironbark trail near Rushworth is now littered with hundreds of fallen trees and jagged tree stumps, making the environment dangerous to the public. 

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning uprooted the trees to prevent illegal motor cross riders using the trail. 

“We felt that was an effective way of closing the track. Signage failed to do so,” Forest Fire Management Victoria District Manager for the department, Paul Bates said.  

“We have ongoing use of a track that isn't inspected and maintained.” 

There is currently no signs on the Gold and Ironbark trail showing potential hazards for the public, however Mr Bates said signage was going up soon indicating the track was closed to riders, which he hoped would “be enough”. 

“Walkers can step over (fallen) and walk around the track. Mountain bikers can use the proper road,” he said. 

As the trail in the forest was not officially a public road, the department were not required to consult the public, however Mr Bates admitted they could “potentially have told people”.

“We had no intention of doing it secretly the decision was made because of increasing use of it,” he said.

“It looks a little unsightly at present.” 

Recreational bike rider John Salter, who discovered the devastation on Saturday, said the department’s actions had left locals “devastated”.  

"Someone has gone rogue and done something terrible," he said. 

Founder of the Rushworth Off Road Cycling Association, Cameron McGavin, said he “couldn’t fathom what reason the department had for doing this”.

Mr McGavin said the path was frequented by locals and was a huge tourist and environmental drawcard for the area. 

In his 10 years of mountain biking across Victoria, Mr McGavin said he had never seen anything like this. 

“Some of the more adventurous riders will see this as a challenge and take it on, but that’s not what we want,” he said.

Despite the forest being protected, Mr Bates said it was managed under the requirements of the Forest Act, and as such the department could make decisions to protect and maintain it.