Buchan Caves Reserve Flood and Fire Recovery

Buchan Caves Reserve is one of several joint-managed parks within Gippsland. The Joint Management Agreement between Parks Victoria and Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) recognises that Gunaikurnai people hold Native Title and maintain a strong connection to Country. Parks Victoria and GLaWAC are working in partnership to protect the cultural and environmental values of the reserve and deliver memorable visitor experiences.  A Cultural Heritage Management Plan for the reserve has been approved. 

 

Recovery projects 

Black Summer bushfires 2019-2020

The Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20 heavily impacted Buchan Caves Reserve and destroyed many facilities including the cabins and wilderness retreats, Guide Hut and walking track structures such as lookouts and bridges.

Planning and design are underway to replace fire affected assets as well as upgrade lost accommodation and visitor facilities.

December 2023 flood

Further to the Black Summer Bushfires, Buchan Caves Reserve experienced an extreme flooding event on Boxing Day 2023. 

More than 60 millimetres of rain fell in 30 minutes, causing major damage. Buildings and bridges were inundated, with large volumes of debris and silt spread throughout the reserve. The road network was severely damaged, with 700 metres of asphalt surface stripped away by floodwaters. During the initial clean-up phase more than 250 tonnes of debris was cleared.

Thanks to a united recovery effort that included Parks Victoria, Gunaikurnai Rangers, East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, East Gippsland Water, Forest Fire Management Victoria and countless private contractors, the reserve is now welcoming visitors once again.

The below recovery projects are in addition to the main works completed to re-open the reserve following flash flooding on Boxing Day 2023, and are subject to change as assessments are completed.

Last updated: November 2024

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Buchan Caves Reserve flood Dec 2023

New asphalt and linemarking outside the visitor centre at Buchan Caves Reserve.
New bollards and rocks are installed along the boundary of an asphalt road.
New asphalt and linemarking at the carparking in Buchan Caves Reserve.
Caves Road into Buchan Caves Reserve with asphalt lifted and moved by flood water
250 tonnes of vegetation debris from the December 2023 flood burned at Buchan Caves Reserve
Buchan Caves Reserve power and water services damaged in December 2023 flood

Fairy Cave entrance

Approvals and procurement are underway to replace the fire-damaged roof of the Fairy Cave entrance. A construction contractor is expected to be appointed in the coming months.


Royal Cave entrance tunnel

The entrance to the Royal Cave tunnel was damaged in the Boxing Day flood. Procurement is underway to appoint an engineer, to determine what remediation and design is needed to safely re-open the entrance. 

 

Guide Hut rebuild

Designs have been developed, and planning and approvals are underway to rebuild the Guide Hut. Following the recent floods, a flood modelling assessment has been completed and analysis is underway to determine if changes to the designs are required. Works are expected to start in mid-2025 if changes are not required.


Roofed accommodation

The project will see the replacement of two cabins that were destroyed by the fires, creating an improved visitor experience with all-weather cabins and materials that are bushfire compliant. Designs have been developed and approvals are being sought. Following the recent floods, a flood modelling assessment has been completed. Analysis is underway to determine if changes to the design or location are required. Once the designs are finalised, a Heritage Act approval will be obtained, before construction can start.


Camp kitchen and laundry

Designs for a new kitchen and laundry to replace the Wilderness Camp Kitchen have been developed. Further planning, permits and construction will be delivered in the next phase of works, pending further funding. 


North Arm flood mitigation

Designs are complete for a swale drain on the eastern side of the North Arm. This will divert surface water runoff into Spring Creek during heavy rainfall, reducing the potential impacts of flooding in the north arm. Works can start after the relevant permits and approvals have been obtained. A 'working on waterways' permit has been received.


Cultural space and yarning circle

Planning and procurement are underway in partnership with GLaWAC to create a flexible cultural space, where visitors can connect with each other and reflect on the cultural significance of the reserve.


Spring Creek Track works

Planning and procurement are underway to replace fire-damaged structures along the walking track, including the pedestrian bridge, viewing platform, steps, edging and handrails.


FJ Wilson Walking Track repairs 

A contractor has been appointed and works are underway to repair the walking track. Works are expected to take a few weeks to complete.

 

Linakar tree replanting

A significant collection of specimen trees which were part of a planting scheme developed in the 1920s by landscape designer Hugh Linaker were lost in the bushfires.  A replanting program is in preparation. 

 

Buchan Caves Reserve flood recovery update

Initial recovery and clean-up works are underway at Buchan Caves Reserve following an extreme flooding event on Boxing Day.

Buchan Caves Reserve flood recovery update

Following the 2019-20 bushfires, much of the vegetation at Buchan Caves Reserve was burnt. Here is a behind the scenes look at the recovery process with our Area Chief Ranger (September 2020).

Project timelines

The following timelines are subject to assessments, permits, and on-ground and construction industry conditions. Timelines are currently under review following flood impacts and will be updated here as projects progress.

Fairy Cave entrance: Work will start in early 2025.

Royal Cave entrance tunnel: Procurement to appoint an engineer is underway. 

Guide Hut upgrade: Work will start in mid-2025, subject to the flood modelling assessment.

Roofed accommodation: Work will start in mid-2025, subject to the flood modelling assessment.

North Arm flood mitigation: Design complete. Work will start in 2025.

Spring Creek Track works: Work will start in 2025.

FJ Wilson Walking Track repairs: Works will start in late 2024. 

Cultural space and yarning circle: Designs to be completed by mid-2025. 

 

Environmental management

Buchan Caves Reserve supports significant wildlife populations, with Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Brush-tailed Possums often seen throughout the reserve. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded, with King Parrots, White-winged Choughs, and Currawongs listed as common. Bats are known to use some caves for overwintering and roosting. Platypuses inhabit the reserve’s waterways, using Moon Cave as an important breeding location. The reserve has a variety of native and introduced vegetation, including several species listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, such as Limestone Blue Wattle and Leafy Greenhood Orchid. The Linakar Tree Landscape Plan supports the heritage values of the reserve’s introduced plantings.

Ecological assessments are being completed to protect flora and fauna during on-ground works.

 

Putting safety first

Visitor safety is our number one priority when considering risk in parks. While nature will always be unpredictable, our projects and maintenance works help minimise risks and help people explore the great outdoors safely. At Buchan Caves Reserve and other flood-affected parks across the state, we're completing important assessments like flood modelling to determine how we can make our facilities and infrastructure more climate resilient into the future.

Parks Victoria is responsible for continuously managing and maintaining over 50,000 pieces of infrastructure across the state annually. We're also delivering new projects to help visitors get into nature. These are thoroughly planned and prepared to keep people and projects separate and safe.

When visiting a park where projects are happening, especially during construction, it's important that people follow the direction of signs, stay out of fenced and restricted areas, and listen to Parks Victoria staff and work crews.

 

Who we're working with

Parks Victoria and GLaWAC are working with East Gippsland Shire Council, East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, Heritage Victoria and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).

 

Access changes

Although the flood repairs are largely complete, there are still a number of works to finish across the reserve. These works may cause minor disruptions, with intermittent closures to some areas to ensure the safety of visitors, staff and contractors. 

For more information about access to areas within Buchan Caves Reserve please visit Buchan Caves Reserve and check the change of conditions.
 

Project funding

$2.8 million has been provided by the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), as well as insurance funds. The total budget will be confirmed once insurable asset amounts have been agreed.

 

Other information

 

 

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