WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS?
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VICTORIA
Fires have been causing severe issues throughout Victoria, with numerous road and track closures in place. Jamieson Track in the Separation Creek area and Bird Track on the Wye River are closed. Mt Difficult road has been affected, as has access to the Indigo Valley through Ironbark Lane. Most roads and tracks are still open to emergency services, so please respect them and clear a path if you hear sirens. Also, stay safe out there and avoid visiting the area unless you have to until the situation settles.
TASMANIA
Tassie is also experiencing bushfires, and Gordon River Road between Strathgordon and Maydena are currently closed to public access. Scotts Peak Road is also closed for the same reason. Towards the northern side of Tasmania, numerous campgrounds and tracks are closed, including the Walls Of Jerusalem National Park and the Central Plateau Conservation Area. Mt Oakleigh Track is closed, as is the Arm River Track from the trailhead to Oakleigh Creek. The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife have closed Liffey Falls Conservation Area and Reserve as well, so please respect the wishes and actions of these departments.
QUEENSLAND
While Tasmania and Victoria are having issues with fires, QLD is experiencing heavy rains and flooding. The Birdsville Development Road is open, but with cautions in place; this applies to the Kennedy Development too. Urandangi Road in Piturie is restricted to 4WD-access only. The Diamantina Development Road is also restricted to vehicles with high-clearance only, as is the Donohue Highway, which is open to 4WDs with high clearance. As a word of advice, never attempt to drive through a flooded road or track, the risk is simply not worth it.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
South Australia is also experiencing decent rainfall. Mt Dare and the Hamilton area are closed as the track is boggy and suffering from rain damage. The iconic Birdsville Inside Track is also quite damaged from rain. Rain has fallen quite heavily on the Strzelecki Track from Merty Merty to Mount Hopeless. Towards the QLD border, Cordillo Downs Road (especially near the Arrabury turnoff) is still open, however cautions are in place, especially with soft creek crossings. Painted Desert Road is also restricted to 4WD access only, as there are several soft sections of track and potentially hazardous creek crossings.
NEW SOUTH WALES
While NSW has been experiencing some drastic weather of late, including flooding and powerful electrical storms, roads and tracks seem to be coping fairly well. The Carrathool Shire is experiencing flooding, and there are several closures in this area including Lachlan Valley Way, Gunbar Booligal Road, Mossgiel Road and Carrathool Road. Further North towards the QLD border, Silver City Highway from Packsaddle to Tibooburra is only open to 4WD vehicles with high clearance. The Cut-Line between Tibooburra to Borrona Downs is closed to all traffic.
