Public Land Management
Almost 286,000 hectares of parks, reserves, state forests and other public land including the Kinglake, Wilsons Promontory and Yarra Ranges national parks and Bunyip and Cathedral Range state parks, were severely affected by the bushfires. The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria staff have been working hard to rehabilitate these areas and most affected parks and recreation areas are now open to the public to enjoy.
For up to date information on which national parks are open and local conditions visit the Parks Victoria website or call 131 963. Alternatively for further information on which state forests and other crown land is open visit the DSE website or call 136 186.
Reseeding burnt forests
To assist the long-term recovery of burnt forests, a mountain ash and alpine ash aerial reseeding program is underway, by DSE staff and contractors in conjunction with VicForests, targeting Marysville, Kinglake, Alexandra, Bunyip and Dargo.
Following the reseeding of 4600 hectares of forest by DSE and VicForests, forests are being monitored for regeneration in treated areas, with strong seedling growth observed. Follow up site preparation (via hand and machinery), sowing and planting also occurred in areas where aerial seeding was not successful. Approximately 100,000 seedlings were grown in a nursery over Winter 2010 and used to replant 100 hectares of land where regeneration was poor.
Recreation areas affected by the fires
Victoria's diverse parks and forests are beautiful places to visit, as well as being home to our unique flora and fauna. Whilst many parks and forests were damaged by the 2009 Victorian bushfires the tracks are gradually being opened to the public.
To check which parks, forests, tracks or roads are open visit the Parks Victoria
| Email the Fire Recovery Unit or call 1800 055 714 |
