Parks Victoria and Game Management Authority (GMA) Authorised Officers in northeast Victoria have recently begun patrols to mark the beginning of seasonal road closures in the Alpine National Park and adjoining state forest.

The cost of seasonal road closure breaches is significant, from replacing broken locks, gates, chains and fencing to repairing damage to roads, tracks and drainage. There is also associated damage to vegetation and cultural sites. Rehabilitating damaged areas takes time and resources away from visitor services and protecting the environment.

Seasonal road closures are important to minimise damage to roads and tracks over the wetter months and allow for rehabilitation and other works to occur in some cases. It’s imperative that some tracks are closed during the wetter season as they become unsafe, impassable and pose a significant safety risks to drivers. 

In previous years, there has been evidence of visitors, including hunters, illegally entering or passing through the Alpine National Park to undertake hunting activities. GMA Authorised Officers joined patrols checking hunting and firearms licences and ensuring hunting hounds meet the proper requirements in adjoining state forest.

Hound hunters are reminded to respect land boundaries, only hunt in legal areas and start hunts well away from private property or public land where hound hunting is not permitted.

On-the-spot fines for breaching a seasonal closure and for interfering with or damaging a gate or sign is $925 per offence. Those found to be hunting illegally or behaving irresponsibly can also be fined or prosecuted, have their equipment seized and/or lose their Game and Firearms Licences.

Find out more about seasonal road closures, got to the Parks Victoria website https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/get-into-nature/safety-in-nature/seasonal-road-closures. To find out where you can legally hunt in the Victorian high country, go to the Game Management Authority website https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/hunting-maps

Quotes attributable to Andrew Dean, Senior Enforcement Officer Parks Victoria

“Authorised Officers have been encouraged to see the majority of visitors and hunters in state forests and adjoining national parks have been respecting seasonal road closures- we hope this will continue throughout the winter months”

“Information from the community is a key part of our intelligence and evidence gathering and we encourage community members to report any suspicious behaviour to Parks Victoria on 1319 63. But please remember your safety is most important- don’t put yourself at risk to gather information.”

Quotes attributable to Paul Stevens, Compliance and Intelligence Director, Game Management Authority

“With the hound hunting season well underway, we are reminding hunters to use GPS collars and make sure their hounds remain inbounds.”

“When hunting Sambar with hounds, hound possessors need to ensure their hounds conform to the Australian National Kennel Council breed standards and maximum height specified in the regulations.”

This campfire was found unattended at a camp in state forest near Abbeyard. Unattended campfires are a potential hazard even in the winter months and attract a fine of $550. Credit: Parks Victoria