Virtually everything here was destroyed or damaged when the Black Saturday bushfires of 7 February 2009 swept through and hit the falls reserve with such ferocity. The Steavenson Falls Recovery and Redevelopment estimated to cost around $3 million, has started. It is a massive job, and the only salvageable piece of infrastructure was the hydro-electric generator that powered the lighting system that lit up the falls at night. Before the fires, the reserve attracted up to 150,000 visitors a year and was a major regional tourist attraction.
Hazardous trees impacted by the fire are being removed as part of the recovery program - many of the trees are dead but could remain standing for several years as they decompose and eventually fall and if left unmanaged, the trees and limbs present a substantial risk to visitors and workers within the reserve.
Stage one of the redevelopment included reconstruction of Falls Road to allow visitor access, a new car park and bus parking area, a new viewing platform at the base of the falls, as well as significant underground drainage and service infrastructure.
The next stage of works will involve construction of toilet and visitor facilities, walking tracks and a spectacular viewing platform of the falls and is expected to be completed by winter 2011.
I took this photo a few short weeks before the fire swept through. Note the metal object on a pole on the left hand side in the foreground.
This photo was taken November, 2010 - 21 months after the fire in almost the same place as the previous photo. The Falls were re-opened to the public eight weeks earlier.
Theme Day: Click here to view thumbnails for all participants
Today's quote: Nature often holds up a mirror so we can see more clearly the ongoing processes of growth, renewal, and transformation in our lives.
8 comments:
Nature will always survive.
Great to see Mother Nature heals quickly and the GREEN sign of new life comes again! Cheers, BFG!
Regards from EAGAN
What a stark difference, BFG! I was in the Yarra Valley a week before the fires went through. Immensely disturbing. Pleasing to see, though, that many government and local groups are joining together all across the region to help Mother Nature in the reconstruction job.
Great contribution to the Theme Day.
Nature is so skilled at reconstruction and re-inventing herself! Great photo comparisons!
I probably shouldn't say it, but the view of the falls is better. I think once finished, the falls will be more popular than ever.
It's a slow process, rebuilding a forest after fire, but trees definitely measure time differently from humans.
Wow. Those photos are ... well, profound.
I remember the fires and your posts about it and I'm so glad to hear the area is undergoing renovation! That's just wonderful.
And thank you for stopping by The Villages...it was nice to hear from you again!
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