By Tanya Steele
A landslip that occurred in July 2024, that as yet remains unrepaired, has some residents in the Dandenong Ranges concerned as bushfire season approaches.
The State Government recently updated the public with a web page devoted to the landslip which stated geotechnical assessments and investigations were recently completed and repairs are expected to commence in early 2025.
The landslip site on Mount Dandenong Tourist Road in Sassafras has been reduced to one lane for the safety of road users since July this year.
In recent months and into the New Year, the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road between Mason Grove and Lennox Grove has traffic travelling in both directions and taking turns to use the open lane, with traffic management and speed reductions in place.
Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino updated the community via social media on Wednesday 6 November, stating the Transport Victoria webpage was live – with mixed reactions from the public.
“While engineers finalise plans for these important and complex works, the department is working closely with emergency services to prepare and manage bushfire risks and I urge households to allow for extra travel time in their bushfire emergency plans,” Ms De Martino said.
Kalorama resident Scarlett said on social media major repairs like this take expertise and time, a fact many people seem unable to appreciate.
“I’m sure the landslip repair is high on the priority list for whoever’s responsibility it is to fix these things, but people talk as if it is as simple as dumping a load of gravel; the engineering expertise, materials, machinery and workers have to all be available,” she said.
Others were concerned the repairs were taking so long, that they would not be adequate and that tourism days would be challenging.
Transport Victoria stated on its webpage that significant structural and drainage upgrade works would be required to repair the site and fully reopen the road.
“Our crews continue to monitor the site regularly to ensure the site conditions remain safe – We’re working closely with emergency service agencies and Yarra Ranges Shire Council to best prepare for and manage emergency and bushfire risks,” the page reads.
A CFA media spokesperson said the fire service is aware of the works occurring in Sassafras and has worked closely with the local council and VicRoads to ensure arrangements are in place to assist with traffic flow during the road work period.
“The community should avoid driving through high-risk areas on hot, dry and windy days if they can and monitor conditions through two or more sources of local information, such as the VicEmergency app and ABC radio,” they said.
Sassafras became the site of the landslide after heavy rainfall saw the Yarra Ranges experience flooding across the region with roads closed and trees down all over the shire in July of this year.
Landslide events are not uncommon in the area of Mount Dandenong according to Yarra Ranges Council’s website which first documented a landslip in the 1860s but geological evidence suggests these have been occurring for hundreds of thousands of years because of the rock make up.
In January a landslide occurred on Mount Dandenong Tourist Road in Ferny Creek, approximately 40 metres wide and 70 metres long, it saw several nearby houses evacuated and the road between Churchill Drive and Mast Gully closed for some time.
Two active landslips on Belgrave-Gembrook Road near Nation Road and near Clematis Street in Selby forced the closure of the main arterial at the same time and Transport Victoria advised the public they had completed repair works by June.
In August, Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson told Star Mail the department had turned its attention to an appropriate design solution to repair the road in Sassafras.
“We’re making sure this site remains safe for road users while geotechnical investigations to inform repairs are completed,” the spokesperson said.
“These works are complex, and we will take every precaution to protect the surrounding environment and other infrastructure while we assess the site and repair the landslip.”
Drivers are encouraged to follow the direction of traffic controllers and road signs and allow extra travel time on their journey.
The public can look for updates of the Sassafras landslip at the following address: transport.vic.gov.au/news-and-resources/projects/mount-dandenong-tourist-road-landslip-repairs-sassafras#h2-2a5yu
For travel safety tips, visit cfa.vic.gov.au/travel
Victorians should also make sure they have access to more than one source of information in the event of an emergency, including:
– ABC local radio, commercial and designated community radio stations
– The VicEmergency App and website www.emergency.vic.gov.au
– The VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226
Visit VicTraffic for the latest road closures and information traffic.transport.vic.gov.au
