A number of state forests and park remain closed to the public following fierce storms that ravaged the area last week.
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The Wombat State Forest, the northern part of Lerderderg State Park, Macedon Regional Park and Trentham Falls (Coliban River Scenic Reserve) all remain closed to the public as workers continue trying to clear the sites.
More than 150 roads and tracks also remain closed and it is not known how long it will take for them to reopen.
Wild weather on Wednesday and Thursday last week left a trail of destruction in the Central Highlands area, felling thousands of trees and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Thousands were left with power (although it has now been restored), while Trentham residents were unable to drink the town's water for a number of days.
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Grampians Deputy Chief Fire Officer Tony English said it had been a massive recovery effort since then, but there was still a long road ahead.
"Although it is too early to tell when roads will be re-opened, it is expected closures will be in place for some time, given the severity of the storm," Mr English said.
"Over 150 roads and tracks across the Wombat State Forest and Lerderderg State Park remain closed, including larger roads such as Firth Road, Bunding-Blakeville Road, North Blackwood Road and Lerderderg Road. Although it is too early to tell when roads will be re-opened, it is expected closures will be in place for some time, given the severity of the storm.
"Recreational sites are also closed to the public, including popular visitor locations such as Firth Park Campground, Carrol Springs Campground, Nolans Picnic Area and Werribee River Picnic Area. These sites may be closed for some time as we work to assess and safely open them.
"We also want to remind the community that fallen logs provide valuable habitat for our wildlife and that you can only take fallen or felled wood from designated domestic firewood collection areas."
Designated domestic firewood collection areas are currently closed in the Wombat State Forest, however, alternative collection areas can be found at https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood/firewood-collection-in-your-region
Information sources:
- For a full list of park and forest closures please visit: www.ffm.vic.gov.au/visiting-state-forests/forest-and-road-closures
- For national parks closures due to extreme weather: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/get-into-nature/safety-in-nature
- For a full list of road closures, visit: www.traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au
- Keep up to date with the latest emergency notifications via the VicEmergency app and website: https://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/
- Keep informed on coronavirus (COVID-19) information via the Victorian Government's coronavirus website at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au
