Council has today reopened Haig Drive and Brownes Lake/Kroweratwari to the public for the first time following the Crater Lakes fire in late January this year.
The area is now accessible following significant risk assessments undertaken by consultant engineers since the fire recovery began.
City of Mount Gambier CEO Sarah Philpott said daily inspections have been undertaken around the area to ensure it is safe to access again.
“To date there has not been any erosion or significant rock debris that has fallen from above the sloped face along the flagged area, even with the recent rainfall.”
Temporary fencing has been relocated closer to the embankment to mitigate the risk of potential landslides causing injury to people in the area, and signage has been installed to indicate the possible hazard of falling rock and other debris.
The signage and fencing is in place to prevent vehicles and pedestrians from stopping and lingering at the embankment and we ask the public to ensure their own safety by obeying all signage and avoiding these areas that can still pose a risk.- CEO Sarah Philpott
In recent months following the fire Council has progressively undertaken inspections and assessments, enabling a staged reopening of areas where the risk to the public has reduced. The Blue Gum Trail and crater rim from the stairs to Centenary Tower, and back section of Carinya Gardens Cemetery are the only remaining zones closed to the public.
“Council has now received a detailed report into the ongoing management of the fire affected trees in these areas and will be assessing the options in the near future,” Ms Philpott said.
Council officers recently undertook a controlled vegetation burn of pest plants along the northern side of Grant Avenue as part of the Blue Gum Trail clean up and it is anticipated the trail will be reopened in the coming weeks.
Media contact: City of Mount Gambier Communications Officer Ashlea Watson at awatson@mountgambier.sa.gov.au
