04/08/2025
Please read on .....
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
PLEASE READ THIS POST IN FULL...it is a LONG post!
This page normally focuses on positive images and promotion of Walhalla and the surrounding area that we all love. We know that our 40,000 followers care for Walhalla greatly. That's why, on this rare occasion, we are asking for your help and just a few minutes of your time as there is a threat that will effect us all.
Some of you will have noted in a post a few days back, we reported that the Baw Baw Shire Council intends to STOP ROAD MAINTENANCE on two sections of the Walhalla Road north of the township. These sections are: Walhalla to Beardmores [20.2kms] and Aberfeldy to Matlock [29.7kms].
These roads are gravel and currently maintained to a basic level, however it does not mean they are not used. Many followers of this page will be users and will know the area well. The Walhalla Road is used by many vehicles, for both business and pleasure, yet the shire has determined that these sections of road are "no longer reasonably required for public use".
The sections of roads that are proposed for "no maintenance" are part of the iconic Aberfeldy Track Historic Touring Route between Walhalla and Jamieson which is an important adventure touring route for the region and is valued part of our local visitor economy.
The Walhalla Road provides access to Mt Selma, Aberfeldy Bridge campsite and the many 4WD tracks connecting to the Walhalla Road that so many people enjoy. The road's use is not limited to 4WDs, SUVs and 2WD vehicles utilise this route because the Walhalla Road is an important thoroughfare to neighbouring towns like Woods Point. The Walhalla Road north of Walhalla and Aberfeldy also provides important access and egress in the case of emergencies.
The cost savings to council by ceasing to undertake this basic road maintenance is minimal [less than $10Kpa] and represents only 0.076% of the council's annual road maintenance budget. This very small saving does not justify the substantial negative impact on you as road users and the losses to the local visitor economy which this part of the Baw Baw Shire relies upon.
The Walhalla & Mountain Rivers Tourism Association has determined that the plan to stop maintenance of these gravel road will greatly effect the area and will potentially lead to further closures making our wonderful bushland harder to access and enjoy. Therefore, they are sponsoring a petition to council to give YOU the opportunity to say that YOU want the shire to continue maintenance and keep these important sections of the Walhalla Road OPEN!
It will only take a minute or two to complete your entry on the petition...even if only 10% of our followers signed, it would be the biggest response for a petition to the shire. We need to send a strong signal that these road ARE important and ARE "required for public use".
Here is the link to the petition:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/BawBawShireCouncil/SignAPetition
Please take just a moment to sign the petition.
Please share this post and ask others to sign the petition.
Please support our region, we are very small in population here therefore the shire thinks that we don't have a voice...let's show our supporters voice loudly. We know you all care deeply about this region and love Walhalla and beyond.
Thank you in advance for your support, we hope that by working together we can get this planned cessation of road maintenance on the Walhalla Road overturned and keep our access to the bush and our neighbours in Woods Point and beyond.
DEADLINE FOR SIGNING: Friday 15 August, 2025
