Bushfire damage to Bibbulmun Track
As South West communities take stock after the devastating bushfires, the Bibbulmun Track Foundation is doing likewise, says chairman Mike Wood.
The recent bushfires took a heavy toll on the Bibbulmun Track, with the loss of three camp sites, up to 25 bridges and culverts, and several kilometres of track.
The most significant loss was the Long Gully Bridge south of Dwellingup. This stunning heritage-listed bridge was not only a highlight for walkers but, at 128m long, an essential crossing over the Murray River. The track has effectively been cut in half and the Bibbulmun Track Foundation has had to advise visitors who had been planning to walk end-to-end to defer their plans.
Up to 25 per cent of track walkers in the southern section are from interstate and overseas, and this loss of visitation will be felt by the smaller towns such as Walpole and Northcliffe that are already facing tough times in the wake of the bushfires.
While most of its infrastructure was insured, the planning and replacement could take more than a year. The foundation has a fantastic team of nearly 300 volunteers who will assist the Department of Parks and Wildlife with the rebuild — but the department has been stripped of funds and employees, leaving it with very limited resources. Its workers were pushed to the limit during these fires, working 36 hours straight without a break.
The number of rangers in each district is minimal. They will not only have to assess what is lost in all its areas, but will have to focus on essential infrastructure such as road bridges and actual roads, so the track is just another job on a very long list.
The State Government needs to prioritise funding for parks and trails. These facilities are essential for health and wellbeing, encouraging people to access and enjoy our natural areas and to exercise, and are an essential driver for tourism in our South West communities.
The foundation will do what it can and is appealing for people to join the organisation, donate funds and to contact it if they can offer skills and equipment for the rebuild.
In the meantime, 70 per cent of the track is unaffected and there are still plenty of options for shorter walks. We encourage people to head south over Easter to support the local communities and businesses along the track — please don’t stay away.
You can check the track conditions on bibbulmuntrack.org.au.
