Results of the COVID-19 Community Sector Impact Survey
Our Community is a social enterprise that has been at the forefront of providing practical support for the 600,000 community groups, not-for-profits, and charities that serve as the engine room for Australia’s social economy. They set out to find out what was happening within the not-for-profit sector as the COVID-19 pandemic started bearing down on the Australian community. Click here for the results of the survey.
Further to the above research, Our Community has a vast number of very helpful resources for NFP organisations such as:
|
|
Federation Walks Registrations open this Monday - BWV Members only!
Our annual Federation Walks Event (FedWalks), a member-only event, will be held in the Gippsland Foothills and Southern Alps this year, based at the Licola Wilderness Village from Friday, 12 November to Monday, 15 November 2021.
Please visit the website for all the details and to select your preferences from the wide and wonderful selection of walks (including three overnight walks) before registrations open on Monday 2 August at 8:00am.
Members, please click here for more information.
This is a COVIDSAFE event. We will be adhering to the Victorian State Government COVIDSafe Events Framework.
|
|
Interclub Basecamps
Many of our affiliated clubs offer basecamps to their members based in Victoria or interstate and sometimes one or more clubs get together to offer a joint basecamp. It is a great way to make new friends and share the joy and knowledge of nature together.
Three Clubs in Melbourne's East offer a joint annual basecamp in late December finishing with a fun New Years Eve Party.
The Koonung, Waverley and Diamond Valley bushwalking clubs took to the High Country for their last four-day basecamp. Using accommodation at Howmans Gap as their base, 54 bushwalkers enjoyed day walks ranging from 8km to 20km. Destinations included visiting Heathy Spur, Rocky Garden, The Aqueduct Trail, Kelly’s Hut, Frying Pan, Wallaces Hut & Ropers Lookout, Mt Cope, Mt Jaithmathang & Tawonga Hut, the Pack Horse trail, Langford Track, and several waterfalls. They finished the event with a blue-themed NYE party
If you’re interested in seeing the country on foot, why not join a Bushwalking Club where you can learn new skills, bushwalk in amazing new places and make new friends with shared interests. Here is the link to our club directory to find a suitable club near you.
|
|
Update on Australia's Threatened Species Plan
The final report on the five-year strategy has just been published. In it, Threatened Species Commissioner Dr. Sally Box acknowledges while the plan had some important wins, it fell short in several areas. Click here to participate in the consultation in the 2021-2026 Action Plan.
|
|
Get Bushfire Resilient - Free Webinar Series
Bushfire Resilience Inc. is hosting a free webinar series to assist households in rural areas and on the urban fringe to get bushfire resilient. Representatives from CSIRO, CFA, Flinders University, University of Melbourne, University of Wollongong, La Trobe University, and clinical psychologist Dr Rob Gordon OAM will participate in the webinars and there is plenty of opportunity to ask questions before each session to get expert answers during the live Q&A. Click here for more information and to register.
|
|
Marine And Coastal Strategy Launched For Feedback
The draft Marine and Coastal Strategy, which will guide how the state’s marine and coastal environments are managed into the future was launched this week.
The strategy aims to improve coastal habitats and help coastal communities prepare and adapt to the impacts of climate change. It will guide sustainable use and development and help identify the resources and funding needed to sustainably manage the environment.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is working closely with Traditional Owners on the strategy to ensure their rights and obligations are embedded in planning and managing marine and coastal environments.
Victoria has more than 2,500 kilometres of coastline and about 10,000 square kilometres of marine waters providing environmental, social and economic value to the state.
To view the draft Marine and Coastal Strategy or provide feedback visit engage.vic.gov.au/draft-marine-and-coastal-strategy.
For more information about the Marine and Coastal Council visit marineandcoastalcouncil.vic.gov.au.
|
|
Barmah National Park Joint Management Plan Launched
A significant milestone in recognising the rights of the Yorta Yorta Traditional Owners in caring for country was reached today, with the launch of a Joint Management Plan for Barmah National Park.
To help implement the plan, the Government has provided more than $1.3 million to employ four Yorta Yorta Joint Management Rangers and on-ground works.
The Government has also provided more than $3.4 million for renovations to the Dharnya Centre. Construction of a conference facility with meeting rooms and an industrial kitchen, group accommodation, site manager’s house, and landscaping is expected to be completed by July 2022.
https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/.../parks/barmah-national-park
|
|
Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park Launched
Image courtesy of Parks Victoria.
Minister Lily D'Ambrosio officially launched the new Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park on Sunday 26 June. Witnessing the event were Bunurong Elder Uncle Mick Edwards, Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale MP, Parks Victoria Chairperson John Pandazopolous, Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman, together with local councilors and many Parks Victoria and DELWP staff who worked so hard to get the park created and make the day a success.
The opening featured a smoking ceremony at the Powlett River.
All dignitaries noted this fantastic example of a community-driven vision, and the planning for the park will ensure it continues to be an important part of the cultural landscape and more valued in how people connect to nature.
|
|
Yackandandah Creek State Forest Recreation Facilities Master Plan
Following engagement with Traditional Owners, the community, visitors, recreation groups and stakeholders, the plan recommends upgrades to existing campsites, improvements to the mountain bike trail, protection of historic sites, improved access, car parking, walking trails, and visitor information.
The plan was developed with state government funding of $290,000 and will complement other major tourism-related projects in the Indigo Shire Council including the Beechworth to Yackandandah Rail Trail and the EPIC Mountain Bike Trail. Click here for the draft plan.
|
|
Status Update on Parks in Central Gippsland
Following recent extreme weather, the table below shows the status of parks in Central Gippsland as of Saturday, 17 July provided by Parks Victoria:
| Park/Reserve area |
Impacts |
STATUS as Saturday
17th July |
| Morwell National Park |
CLOSED - Heavy timber and silt deposits around Billy’s creek area. Number of footbridges have been damaged or completely washed away. Significant amount of tree fall, damage to BBQ, bollards and picnic tables and neighbors’ fences.
There are several locations in the park where hazardous trees are too complex for our advanced assessors and pose significant risk. These will require specialist arborist skills. Track clearing has become too dangerous for machine use in Fosters Gully and works will need to be suspended until the track dries out. |
CLOSED |
| Baw Baw National Park |
St Gwinear open. Australian Alps Walking track from Mt Erica car park to Mushroom rocks is now cleared and open. |
OPEN
|
| Holey Plains State Park |
Graders will be working on key tracks next week. Wattle Track closed due to erosion and imminent danger of the bridge collapsing. |
OPEN -4WD only
|
| Tyres State Park |
Tracks cleared and Hazard tree work completed |
OPEN |
| Mount Worth State Park |
Tracks cleared and Hazard tree work completed |
OPEN |
| Tarra Bulga National Park |
The Hazard tree work is completed.
Cyathea falls is still accessible via East track.
Although the park is open two tracks will need to remain closed.
- Wild Cherry Track (trees and landslip)
- Tarra Valley West Track Loop (bridges damaged)
|
OPEN* |
| Dowds Morass |
Large tree blocking access – excavator planned for mid next week. |
OPEN |
| Walhalla Historic area |
Walks within town to Cemetery and Cricket Ground are open.
Australian Alps Walking Track Walhalla to Thompson Valley Road is closed- Work on the land slip has been assessed and expert advice sought, and contract assigned. The walking track from Walhalla to Thompson Valley Road has heavy tree fall along the track due to the complex nature of some of the tree fall an arborist is being sought to minimize risk. This work is likely to take another two weeks (weather pending) to complete. |
OPEN * |
| Alpine National Park |
* Seasonal Gates now closed |
OPEN * |
| Moondara State Park |
|
OPEN |
| Lakes National Park |
Further impacts to road, seasonal gates now closed |
OPEN – 4WD only |
| Mirboo Regional Park |
Tracks cleared and Hazard tree work completed |
OPEN |
|
|
Cape to Cape Resilience Project
Have your say on how to proactively manage future changes to the coastline by giving feedback about the Cape to Cape Resilience Project.
The coastline at and around Inverloch has experienced significant erosion in recent years. Public assets, values and infrastructure are now at risk of damage and loss. This project aims to combine the latest science, technical assessments and community aspirations to develop a long-term plan to manage important coastal places, assets, and other values in the future. https://engage.vic.gov.au/cape-cape-resilience-project
|
|
Dementia Friendly Forest & Sensory Trail Open
The Ballarat Dementia Alliance, working closely with stakeholders including people living with dementia, their families and carers, have been developing a sensory trail through the Woowookarung Regional Park in Ballarat (https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/.../woowookarung-regional-park). The trail has now officially opened! Watch a video of their story below.
|
|
|
|
Story of the Dementia Friendly Forest & Sensory Trail
|
|
Walkers Journal
Have you discovered the Walkers Journal as yet? It covers several coastal, overland, urban and journal walks across Australia as well as news updates.
|
|
Building a climate-resilient Victoria
The Victorian Government is preparing Adaptation Action Plans to build our climate resilience.
Victoria’s climate is changing, becoming hotter and drier. Victoria has warmed by 1.2 degrees Celsius since 1910, and these changes are expected to continue. For example, the latest climate projections for Victoria suggest that by the 2050s under a high emissions future scenario:
- Annual average temperature may increase by up to 2.4 degrees Celsius compared to the 1986 - 2005 average with around double the number of very hot days.
- The number of high fire danger days in Victoria is expected to increase.
- Sea level is projected to rise by around 24cm.
- Annual rainfall is projected to decrease, but extreme rainfall events are likely to become more intense.
You can have your say in the areas below by clicking on this link.
|
|
|
|
Building a climate-resilient Victoria
|
|
|
|
Explore the botany of Blairgowrie with Australian landscaping extraordinaire, Fiona Brockhoff.
|
|
Bob's Monthly Safety Tip
 Tree safety when camping and walking in forest areas
When walking in our forest areas and particularly when looking for campsites, be on your guard.
If the weather in your area has been particularly hot and dry, you should be aware of falling limbs. Eucalyptus trees are quite drought tolerant, but they can react to insufficient water by spontaneously dropping branches and the horizontal limbs pose the most risk. This can even occur in still conditions. The River Red Gum, Yellow Box and the Maidens Blue Gum are the worst culprits. It would be safer to camp or rest in the open, rather than to spend time under these trees.
In very windy conditions the risk of falling limbs and the uprooting of complete trees is extreme. Be particularly mindful when the wind speed reaches 50 Km/hr and greater. If you notice larger tree branches moving, phone lines whistling and plastic wheelie bins being blow over, you are in risky wind conditions.
At speeds greater than this, indicated by whole trees moving and difficulty walking into the wind, it is not safe to be walking or camping in these areas.
Similarly, after storms and torrential rains, the ground will be much softer. The Eucalyptus has a relatively shallow root system and is prone to falling if the ground has become soft and cannot hold the tree's roots.
Take care and enjoy your walking!
|
|
|
|
Dates for your calendar
Click here for dates and events for your bushwalking calendar.
|
|
|
Bushwalking Manual
Find the Bushwalking Manual here - a handy go-to resource for bushwalkers! You are welcome to provide feedback on the manual content and/or offer suggestions using this form.
|
|
|
BTAC (Bushwalking Tracks & Conservation)
Our BTAC team of volunteers participate in track maintenance and conservation projects all over Victoria. BTAC works closely with the land managers of our national parks and forests to schedule around ten projects a year. More information here.
|
|
|
BSAR (Bush Search & Rescue Victoria)
BSAR is a dedicated volunteer search and rescue service. They participate in land-based search and rescues for persons lost in bush and alpine areas under the direction of the Victoria Police. More information here.
|
|
|
Follow us on Facebook for news, updates and inspiration! |
|
Discounts for club and individual supporter members are available from:
|
|
|
|
|
"No one will protect what they don’t care about,
and no one will care about what they have never experienced."
- David Attenborough
|
|
|
|
|
