Welcome Archive!
2024 PXC Work Party #3 - Saturday & Sunday March 2-3 and More Important News -
Ear muffs and gum boots were the Feb Work Party fashion statement!
WORK PARTY #3 - Sat - Sun March 2-3 + extra days for Bridge Builders (young muscles an advantage!). Also – Important KNP Closures and Other News.
The February PXC Work Party took place in fine weather with continued focus on the water mitigation Bridge Project and Nordic Shelter maintenance. Watch the Nordic Shelter cams to see progress (be patient with occasional cam connection issues) - https://www.perisherxcountry.org/
 Sonja, working up a sweat inside...
 ... while the Bridge workers enjoyed the fine day!
Construction of bridges will carry on. A few young, fit builders would compliment the dedicated team of more mature workers. A Bridge Project crew will stay on after the weekend through Wednesday (weather permitting). Accommodation will be available for workers through Wednesday. So stay on if you wish or join in after the weekend.
There will also be trail work and Nordic Shelter maintenance work happening over the weekend.
Meet at the Nordic Shelter at 9:00am for a 9:30 start. If you have them, bring gum boots, work boots, work gloves, safety glasses, ear muffs, secateurs, fly repellent/fly veil (intermittent march flies and little black flies) and lunch/snacks/drinks.
If you plan to attend, please contact Peter Ward (nswxc1@gmail.com). Likewise, let him know if you can attend any of the extra days after the weekend to take part in the Bridge Project.
Accommodation is available in Jindabyne courtesy of local Work Party participants. Let Peter Ward know if you require accommodation (nswxc1@gmail.com). Bring bed linen, towels and food/drink.
Please pencil in the rest of the 2024 summer Perisher XC Work Parties (dates to be confirmed prior to each Work Party):
6-7 April 24
4-5 May 24
1-2 Jun 24 (if required)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
VERY IMPORTANT - KNP CLOSURES:
CLOSURE NOTIFICATION: Kosciuszko National Park – Mt Kosciuszko Summit Walk – 6-16 February 2024
Please be advised of the planned closure of the Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk between Charlotte Pass turning circle and Rawson Pass during the below date:
Tuesday 20th February – Thursday 22nd February 2024
The closure is required to facilitate major trail repair works following numerous recent rainfall events. Repair works will include the import, spread and compaction of gravel material to return the trail to its pre flood condition. The Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk will be closed to all traffic during these dates, please utilise alternate trails to access the Summit of Mount Kosciuszko.
For more information contact NPWS Alpine-Queanbeyan office at npws.alpinequeanbeyan@environment.nsw.gov.au
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLOSURE NOTIFICATION - Parks and reserves, Queanbeyan Area – FERAL ANIMAL CONTROL PROGRAMS - 19 February 2024 - 8 March 2024
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) would like to advise of a closure within the national parks and reserves in the Queanbeyan area listed below to undertaking aerial shooting operations from 6 am Monday 19 February 2024 to 8 pm Friday 8 March 2024 (excluding weekends).
The closures include the following national parks and reserves:
- Brindabella National Park & an adjoining section of Kosciuszko National Park
- Bimberi Nature Reserve
- Burrinjuck Nature Reserve
- Black Andrew Nature Reserve
- Tinderry Nature Reserve
- Yanununbeyan State Conservation Area, National Park and Nature Reserve
Shooting is scheduled to take place for a short duration within the above time period, pending weather and logistics.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO ALWAYS CHECK PARK ALERTS BEFORE ENTERING THE PARK.
For more information, contact the local NPWS office at 02 6229 7166 or park.businesses@environment.nsw.gov.au if you have any questions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KNP CLOSURES FOR MAJOR FERAL ANIMAL CONTROL PROGRAMS - Southern Block and Northern Block closures:
NPWS is conducting several major feral animal control programs in Kosciuszko National Park during 2024. Aerial and ground shooting programs will target horses, deer, pigs and other feral animals. These important conservation programs are essential to protect the park’s threatened native species and ecosystems.
For the safety of visitors and staff, some sections of the park will be closed temporarily while aerial shooting is conducted. This is common practice for all feral animal aerial shooting operations across NSW. Extended closures will be required in some areas.
The following areas will be temporarily closed to the public:
Southern Block (Download Map) closed 4 - 28 March 2024 - NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be undertaking an aerial shooting program for feral animal control in Kosciuszko National Park from Monday 4 March to Thursday 28 March 2024. The operation requires closure of park areas south of the Alpine Way including Pilot and Byadbo Wilderness areas.
The areas will be completely closed to the public and all park users. This includes all tracks, trails, campgrounds, huts, picnic areas and accommodation nodes. All campgrounds along the Barry Way will remain open.
Northern Block (Download Map) closed 4 April - 4 October 2024 (this includes the usual winter closure period from June long weekend)
All tracks, trails, campgrounds, huts, picnic areas and accommodation nodes within the closure areas are closed to the public during the specified period, other than:
· Kiandra Courthouse and Delaneys Hut remain open in the northern block.
Other short-term closures may occur during the year for additional control programs. For all park closure details and updates go to www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/alerts
Visiting the park during control operations
NPWS recognises that these closures will affect visitation to some areas of the park and aims to minimise impacts to popular visitor areas. The majority of the park will be open for visitors to enjoy. Access to key visitor areas including Mt Kosciuszko, alpine resorts, Yarrangobilly Caves and sections of the recently completed Snowies Alpine Walk are not affected. Resort precincts are not impacted by closures.
Visitors with impacted campground bookings will be notified and full refunds made.
For the latest information about things to see and do in Kosciuszko National Park go to www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/kosciuszko-national-park
Protecting park visitors and the environment
NPWS has robust plans to protect the environment and park visitors during and after aerial shooting including:
- temporary park closures
- notifications to neighbours and park visitors
- removal of carcasses, where practicable, when close to sensitive locations such as waterways and popular visitor locations.
- targeted, additional monitoring and control of feral pigs, foxes and wild dogs.
Taking urgent action to reduce the wild horse population
There is an urgent need to reduce the wild horse population in Kosciuszko National Park. Horses are having a severe impact on the natural, cultural, and recreational values of the park. There is clear scientific evidence that threatened species and park values are at risk from wild horses, and extinction is a genuine and clear prospect for some species.
Aerial shooting will enable NPWS to meet the legal population target of 3,000 wild horses in the park by July 2027. Delaying control is not an option as it will mean continued unacceptable damage to the park and its threatened species, and more horses will ultimately need to be controlled.
Ensuring the best animal welfare outcomes
Aerial shooting is carried out by NPWS to the highest animal welfare standards consistent with all legislative requirements and informed by independent advice from expert, published scientists with veterinary qualifications.
A short preliminary aerial shooting program in November 2023 validated the standard operating procedures used by NPWS for aerial shooting of wild horses, ensuring these procedures lead to the best possible animal welfare outcomes. The program was observed and monitored by independent veterinarians. A report on the outcomes of this observation, along with outcomes of the is available at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/wildhorses
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation while we conduct this vital work to protect the park. Please email the wild horse team with any inquiries at npws.wildhorses@environment.nsw.gov.au
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EVENT KOSCIUSZKO ROAD CLOSURE - 23 MARCH 2024
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) would like to advise that Kosciuszko Road in Kosciuszko National Park will be closed in both directions between Barry Way and Perisher Valley from 10.00 am to 5:30 pm on Saturday 23 March 2024 due to the “Snowy Classic” cycling event.
Anyone entering Kosciuszko National Park before 10am on event day will not be able to descend to Jindabyne until roads re-open at 5:30pm.
The road closures are available to view online at https://cyclingclassics.com.au/snowy/community/.
Please remember to always check Park Alerts before entering the park.
For more information, contact the local NPWS office at 02 6450 5600 or park.businesses@environment.nsw.gov.au if you have any questions.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BACK TO PERISHER - EASTER WEEKEND - 30-31 MARCH
ACTIVITIES AND 600 DUCKS! - DOWNLOAD THE FLIER
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
XC COACH POSITION, Australian Winter 2024
The NSWACT XC Committee of Snow Australia is seeking expressions of interest from experienced XC coaches for coaching of all skill levels of the NSWACT XC Program members during 2024 winter in Perisher Valley, NSW. The position is a key part of the expert coaching team working with the highly skilled NSWACT XC/Australia XC Head Coach.
Most aspects of the coaching position are negotiable. Payment and assistance with travel, visa and accommodation will be provided.
If you are interested, contact nswxc1@gmail.com with a short CV and your contact details by 28 February, 2024 to arrange discussion about the position. Please include your dates of availability - the key period is between June and September, but projects may be added earlier and later depending on demand and availability.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION - WATCH IT ON FIS TV
FIS TV - Visit https://watch.fis-ski.com/section/Cross-Country to see the first World Cup in 20 years to be held in the US (Minnesota) this weekend and to watch the the events that have already occurred over the past few weeks.
Check the Australian Masters Cross Country Skiers Facebook page for events that are happening inn Finland now and for some great photos.
Vuokatti, Finland. -27 deg C.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FINALLY -
If you can’t be there in person, consider supporting the volunteers by making a contribution this way -
NORDIC SHELTER - Tax Deductible donations to help with the development, running expenses and maintenance - https://asf.org.au/projects/snow-australia---northern/nordic-shelter-development/
Click here to Unsubscribe or Manage your Subscription
|
