Tragic event keeps Lal Lal Falls closed

By Dellaram Jamali
Updated November 2 2012 - 2:30pm, first published August 12 2010 - 2:38pm
CASCADE: Lal Lal Falls is flowing better than it has in 15 years thanks to days of heavy rainfall in the region. Pictures:  Jeremy Bannister
CASCADE: Lal Lal Falls is flowing better than it has in 15 years thanks to days of heavy rainfall in the region. Pictures: Jeremy Bannister

THE MEMORY of the tragic Lal Lal falls incident on March 28, 1990 is still present in the minds of many.Twenty years ago, two students were killed by a rockfall, causing the closure of the falls.Although there are areas available for observation and picnicking, the falls are closed to public access.Now, with Lal Lal Falls overflowing for the first time in close to 15 years due to recent heavy rainfall, public interest may spike.But West Moorabool Ward councillor Tom Sullivan said it was still too risky to allow people to walk to the bottom of the reserve."There would be no intention to allow a general opening to the falls themselves,'' Cr Sullivan said."There's an inherent risk issue and we wouldn't want to encourage people to go down to the falls because of the history that exists."Cr Sullivan said public access would only be permitted under exceptional circumstances.He said due to the geological landscape of the area, some universities may seek to visit it for study purposes."Geology students who would have a particular need because of their studies could go through a process of advice," he said."It would be done on a case-by-case basis." But he said council would not encourage such applications to be made."There has been no approach to council to get access and we're not aware of any formal requests," he said.

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