One notable one is Lower Cotter Catchment (think Vanity’s Crossing)
Reported in the Canberra Times.
The ACT Government’s Environment Directorate website would be the authoritative source to stay up to date.
One notable one is Lower Cotter Catchment (think Vanity’s Crossing)
Reported in the Canberra Times.
The ACT Government’s Environment Directorate website would be the authoritative source to stay up to date.
Stop Press – Newsletter has been updated due to Khancoban trip cancellation
It seems a number of us headed across the ditch this past month. Two reports here. Many thanks Jaime for his submission and to Peter and Claude for accompanying me and helping with the report. The final major item is one from Jason M completing his postcards from his earlier trip to Tasmania – much appreciated mate. Still looking for others to come forward with their stories – too many modest folk in our club?
Many of us have been closely watching the situation in Kosciuszko National Park. Our News blog has provided some updates (thanks Lyall) and the latest one is quite positive – the authoritative link has been provided. The fires have also raised the profile of our problem with brumbies and there has been some movement by the NSW Govt.
MAS has passed to us news of a press release from the Invasive Species Council giving limited to support to the NSW Govt moves in respect to brumbies post the fires.
There seems to be some movement in the government accepting that numbers need to be reduced. Of concern is that the fires have not impacted on the population numbers and the horses are concentrating in the unburnt areas or moving back to burnt areas as they regenerate but vulnerable to damage.
Read it all here
Just got this in from Sec:
Like me, you will all be keen to get back to our alpine region, go fishing and splash some cash on accommodation and meals to support the communities who are so welcoming to us when we visit.
Mark at Brindabella Ski Club has put together the lists below of closed and re-opened areas of the Snowy Mountains. Please respect the instructions from National Parks and Wildlife Service about out of bounds areas. It is in the interests of our own safety to do so.
From: Brindabella Ski Club
Kosciuszko National Park Closed Areas
Sections of Kosciuszko National Park have been reopened, but areas which have been burnt or have ongoing fire suppression operations remain closed.
Areas Recently Opened:
All areas south of Mt Jagungal and east of the following roads / trails are open to the public: Khancoban – Cabramurra Rd, Alpine Way and Cascade Trail (refer to map). This includes all backcountry areas which have not been impacted by fire. Overnight camping is permitted in these areas. This includes:
Kosciuszko Road – Jindabyne to Charlotte Pass
The following areas of Kosciuszko National Park remain closed:
All areas impacted by fire and where ongoing firefighting operations are occurring.
This includes:
All campgrounds between Thredbo and Khancoban
Public Roads as listed below note that for the latest updates on road closure, refer to the RMS website link to Live Traffic
Alpine Way from Thredbo to Khancoban
KNP5 (Khancoban to Cabramurra Road)
Link Road from Snowy Mountains Highway to Goat Ridge Road
Goats Ridge Road and Elliot Way
Cabramurra township – Snowy Hydro’s operational town of Cabramurra suffered significant fire damage and for safety reasons is temporarily closed
RFS and NPWS will continue to assess bushfire risk and progress opening further areas of Kosciuszko National Park when it is safe.
Beware of changing conditions
All roads, resorts and other areas may close suddenly in response to changing bushfire risk.
Current fire situation
Large fires have impacted the northern part of Kosciuszko National Park around Kiandra, Tantangara, Adaminaby and Eucumbene Cove.
Stay up-to-date with the current fire situation in your area by: visiting the Rural Fire Service website, viewing the Fires Near Me app or website listening to your local radio station, or calling NSW RFS Bushfire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
Do not enter closed areas in Kosciuszko National Park. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
For more information, contact the local NPWS office or visit the Rural Fire Service website.
Recently MAS contributed towards a helicopter flight to take ecologists into Kosciuszko National Park. The results are worrying. CAA has received from MAS an email from Andrew Cox of the Invasive Species Council that provides access to the results:
Here is the widely circulated tweet of bushfire damage from Kate Washington, NSW Labor MP, who went up in a helicopter. Looks devastating. This tweet generated a story in the Daily Mail in the UK!
Also spotted from the air were locations of unburnt areas with horses that are some of the last stronghold of critically endangered species like the corroboree frog and the stocky galaxias fish.
Straight after the flight we also produced video of Prof Jamie Pittock with video of horses from the air here. This was picked up in the Guardian as a video story and then led to interviews on ABC Radio 702 early last week (Mon 3 Feb), on ABC radio national am or pm (need to track that down), then on ABC JJJ Hack here (in the first 14 mins) this Monday 10 Feb. There were some other news interviews Jamie did (2SM. ABC NSW news). He also produce a piece in the Conversation: Fire almost wiped out rare species in the Australian Alps. Feral horses are finishing the job published 27 Jan 2020 which further pushed out the story. We are also taking to The Australian about a new story.
Well it has been a challenging period. The smoke around Canberra reminded us of the disaster that has been around us in NSW (and now on our doorstep). My family has been personally impacted with members living at the coast being threatened with destruction of their houses or worse. We’ve hosted 7 evacuees in our house – having them here has been quite entertaining but with the concern about those staying back uppermost in our minds. The Fires Near Me app was in constant use – currently showing that our old haunt at Brogo perhaps having a near escape.
In amongst this, Charlie ran into an old friend of the club – Randy. He had moved down from Canberra to Malua Bay some years ago (2013?). Tragically, Randy lost his house and many of his possessions in the New Year’s Eve firestorm. I have conveyed to Randy the sympathy of CAA. Our thoughts go out to him and Lindsay.
Many members will remember Randy for his knife sharpening stall operating at Moruya Markets. Randy was the contact who got CAA access to the CSIRO Ski Club lodge at East Jindabyne for which we continue to be grateful.
I hadn’t thought we’d publish a February edition, but the ever reliable Jason M has filled my in-box with material about the previous trip to Brogo and ‘postcards’ from his fishing/kayaking/camping expedition in Tasmania – I’ve saved a couple for our next edition. Thanks also to Claude for some images of his latest flytying creations – his ‘secret flies’ for our forthcoming NZ trip remain under wraps. I’ve also popped in some information about the sculpture that long time member Charlie assisted with.
One final snippet that I just learnt of yesterday. President of MAS and local angling guru Steve Samuels has been reappointed to the Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council – giving a voice to recreational anglers directly to the Minister. Congratulations Steve.
Thredbo resort may be open but restrictions and warnings are still there
” People in the areas of Shannons Flat, Yaouk, Adaminaby, Providence Portal, Anglers Reach, Old Adaminaby, Rocky Plain, Eucumbene Cove and surrounding area were advised to monitor conditions.” Canberra Times
I’m sure everyone will take care and check the RFS website as part of their preparations.
I think this also applies to anglers. We’ve already had one of our club members caught up in this.