Parks Victoria is hoping to reopen the Kokoda Track Memorial Trail, known as the 1000 steps, in late 2022.
The popular 1.4km bushwalking trail in Ferntree Gully was severely damaged during the 2021 June storm event and has been closed since. The Victorian State Government has invested $6.6 million for recovery works in storm-affected parks and reserves.
District manager Victoria Purdue said the trail received further damage after another storm event in October, following the June 2021 weather event.
“Many large trees and branches fell across the track, dislodging many of the concrete steps and damaging vast sections of safety handrailing and posts,” she said.
“Our crews have done a fantastic job to firstly assess the damage, and then to put together a strategic recovery plan. Significant progress has been made to clear debris and fallen trees from the track, which hasn’t been easy given the limited space in which to work.”
To successfully reopen the trail, Parks Victoria will need to remove trees, repair damaged steps and replace handrails.
“Repairing damaged facilities such as stone steps and handrails along the track is a complex process that will take time to complete, as we must work through insurance processes, safety works, cultural heritage assessments, and planning and building permits,” Ms Purdue said.
“It will also be a labour-intensive task as all materials will need to be carried in by hand.”
Parks Victoria said in an online statement they have conducted a comprehensive assessment of the track and have put in place a program to restore visitor access as soon as it is safe to do so.
“The scale of the damage combined with the steep narrow terrain leading up the mountain has made access and the recovery task incredibly challenging. Despite these trying conditions, Park Rangers have made solid progress, clearing debris, branches and timber away from the track,” Parks Victoria said.
“To make the track safe for walkers and visitors, the recovery task now requires clearing the track of remaining hazardous trees and branches, repairing the steps and replacing sections of the damaged hand railing.”
The 1000 Steps was created in the early 1900s and was originally made from tree fern trunks placed across the trail to make climbing easier. They were replaced by wooden palings before more permanent concrete steps were installed.
