MEDIA RELEASE from Parks Victoria

Four-wheel drive clubs lend a hand in the Western Alps

14 November 2019: To ensure safe travel for four-wheel drive visitors, Parks Victoria, Mansfield Alpine FourWheel Drive Club and Wangaratta Four Wheel Drive Club reunited with a sense of partnership and teamwork for the annual track clearing weekend held over the recent long weekend in the Western Alps section of the Alpine National Park.

The groups joined forces in remote areas to tackle some difficult terrain, checking and clearing the way in readiness for the reopening of seasonally closed tracks.
The rangers and clubs divided up resources with Wangaratta Four Wheel Drive Club focussed on clearing Basin Track, Little Cobbler Track, Long Spur Track, Stockyard Track to name a few. Whereas the Mansfield Alpine Four-Wheel Drive Club, along with Parks Victoria rangers, worked to clear King Basin Road between King Hut and Pineapple Flat and Speculation Road to Camp Creek near Mount Speculation in between snow flurries.

The teams also focused their efforts on beautifying the nearby Upper Howqua and Bindaree Flats camping area ready for the influx of visitors leading up to the summer holidays. The teams had their work cut out for them by removing overgrown debris from near the toilets and huts, picking up rubbish, cleaning out the huts and emptying the fireplaces. Incredibly, the Mansfield and Wangaratta Four Wheel Drive Clubs contributed over 200 volunteer hours over the weekend, along with collectively travelling over 4000km.

To get involved with the varied array of volunteer activities that happen across our parks, visit www.parkconnect.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Parks Victoria Bart Smith, Area Chief Ranger Western Alps: “We are always humbled by the incredible generosity from Four Wheel Drive Victoria, along with their member clubs and volunteers who freely give their time and expertise to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors to parks. It certainly makes a big impact on our overall park management and effectiveness in delivering quality four-wheel drive tracks for our visitors to explore.”

“The support and assistance provided by the groups is highly valued due to the amazing contribution to the overall park management.”
“Their help goes a long way to ensuring the tracks are in good condition, in readiness for the reopening of seasonally closed tracks.”

“These weekend track clearing activities are a great way to contribute and get involved, but also provide an opportunity to mix with like-minded travellers and develop great friendships along the way.”

Quotes attributable to Mansfield Alpine Four-Wheel Drive Club Karen Jarvis: “Once again, the Mansfield Alpine Four-Wheel Drive Club (MAFWDC) was happy to assist Parks Victoria with clearing the tracks and readying the campgrounds for the season opening of the Alpine National Park on the Melbourne Cup weekend.”

“MAFWDC have assisted Parks Victoria with track clearing for the past nine years. Over this time, we have established an excellent ongoing relationship with the Western Alps Parks Victoria rangers and hope to continue this into the future.”
Quotes attributable to Wangaratta Four Wheel Drive Club David Blore: “Overall, a great weekend as always with good work done, excellent camaraderie, and enjoyable driving in supporting Parks Victoria in their work in our Alpine National Park. We are rateful for the ongoing support from our club members who participate each year.”