A huge effort from a couple of clubs has provided a quick regeneration of the Abercrombie River National Park - Silent Creek camping area.

On the weekend of the 9th and 10th of March a number of members from

• Off The Black 4WD Club
• Triple Diamond 4WD Club
• Central West 4WD Club
• Blue Mountains 4WD Club
• Sydney District 4WD Club
• Black Diamond 4WD Club

put in a huge effort only 7 months after they initially went down there with the local ranger Jules Bros to assess and protect from the damage done by a few 4WDs doing circle work in the campsite area and hill climbs up hills that previously had no tracks.

The weekend was spent removing bollards that had been placed to protect the regeneration area and repainting.

Jules Bros passed on her appreciation and thanked all involved. It would have been difficult to get the result without the help of the 4WD clubs, and she looks forward to further projects.

Below are the before and after results.

Main Campsite

AROUND THE Campsite

The significant flooding throughout the Great Lakes and other areas on the Mid North Coast has also affected Myall Lakes National Park forcing the temporary closure of many of the park’s lakeside visitor areas.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Great Lakes Area Manager, Steve Smith said the severe downpour over a number of days has caused the Myall Lakes system to rise significantly peaking at 1.7m above normal levels.

“The water is slowly receding and the naturally slow draining of the lake system via the lower Myall River means that high water levels are expected to impact the park for some weeks”, Mr Smith said.

The Bombah Point Ferry is not operating due to high water levels’, he said.

“This may include the Easter Holiday weekend so people intending to visit over Easter are advised to check the website or ring the NPWS Great Lakes Area office on 65910300 for the latest information before they leave home”.

Until water levels recede further the following closures remain in place:

• Bombah Point Ferry
• Neranie Road
• Stoney Creek Road
• White Tree Bay Camping Area
• Dees Corner Camping Area
• The Wells Camping Area
• Bungaree Bay Camping Area
• Neranie Camping Area
• Hearts Point Day Use Area
• Hearts Point Boat Ramp

Bombah Point Road is opened to Myall Shores Holiday Park.

Visit http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/myall-lakes-national-park

PRESS RELEASE 14th MARCH 2013

The Tweed Range Scenic Drive in Border Ranges National Park has partially re-opened this week following extensive damage caused by Ex Tropical Cyclone Oswald.  The popular tourist drive is open from the western (Wiangaree) end between Sheepstation Creek Camping Area and the Pinnacle Lookout.

This was the most damaging storm to impact the park since it was dedicated in 1983, said Area Manager Damien Hofmeyer.

“Ex Tropical Cyclone Oswald also caused extensive damage in the nearby Wollumbin-Mt Warning National Park”.

Mr Hofmeyer said, drivers visiting the Border Ranges still need to exercise care and observe all road signage as the road is wetter than normal.

“Sheepstation Creek and Forest Tops camping areas are open to camping.  Walking tracks from Sheepstation Creek including the Palm Valley Walking Track and Brushbox Falls Lookout are also open.”

“The Rosewood Loop and Booyong Track from Forest Tops remain closed.  National Park crews are currently working to re-open those tracks by Easter.”

“The Tweed Range Scenic Drive beyond the Pinnacle Lookout to Bar Mountain remains closed due to the continuing wet weather.  That section of road has been cleared but remains too wet to open, it may re-open soon subject to weather conditions”.

“The Bar Mountain section of the park was heavily impacted by Ex Tropical Cyclone Oswald and facilities and walking tracks there will take much longer to re-open”.

“The Brindle Creek Loop Road and associated walking tracks remains closed including to bushwalkers.  This road has not yet been cleared and has numerous hazardous tree falls and road failures”.

The public can access the current status of park closures/openings on our website at www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.

News Release 6th March 2013

Four wheel drivers are warned to take care when driving at Stockton Beach in the Worimi Conservation Lands north of Newcastle, as the recent weather has caused more beach erosion and drop-offs, creating hazardous driving conditions.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Hunter Region Manager Robert Quirk said the recent large swell and tides has eroded the beach creating dangerous drop-offs, flooding and making parts of the beach impassable to all vehicles.

“The north easterly swell has had the greatest impact on the southern end of the park, with the beachfront south of the Lavis Lane entrance inaccessible in all but the lowest of tides, “ Mr Quirk.

“However there is still access to the dunes in the Recreational Vehicle Area”, he said.

“Visitors still keen to drive on the beachfront are encouraged to access via the Anna Bay beach entrance.

“Wave action from the storms has also created ledges of varying heights, along large sections of the beach, which drivers need to be aware of.

“In addition, deep pools of water have accumulated at the beach entrances creating large areas of very soft sand, which are very hazardous to vehicles.

“While the beach remains open to vehicles, drivers are advised to be aware of the potentially hazardous conditions.

“People should plan their trip to travel at low tide only, according to the conditions, and to be prepared for rapidly changing beach driving conditions.

“If the beach is too narrow to pass safely, retrace your route or wait for the tide to subside. Do not attempt to traverse the beach by driving over the front dune or vegetation”.