THIS winter the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) and Parks Victoria are urging visitors to state parks to plan in advance for adverse conditions, and to remain vigilant when bushwalking or hiking.
While Victoria Police is also urging this heading to the snow fields this season to plan ahead after years of disruption.
While the overwhelming majority of visitors were well prepared for the conditions, around 5700 vehicles were turned around by police and authorised officers at Mt Hotham alone for not carrying appropriate wheel chains to drive in the snow.
Victoria Police and authorised officers will again be conducting random vehicle checks, both at alpine resorts and the roads leading to resorts, this year to ensure wheel chain compliance.
It is a legal requirement to carry suitable wheel chains at all times during the snow season and they must be fitted when directed to do so. Failing to carry wheel chains may result in a $370 fine, while failing to fit wheel chains when directed incurs a $970 fine.
While VICSES urges that before you head off on a hike, take a moment to plan ahead:
- Pack a map and a compass, or know your route via GPS, and know any common location names.
- Become familiar with emergency markers located along bushwalking tracks. They are designed to pinpoint your exact location during an emergency in public open spaces or a hard to define places. They display three letters and three numbers which gives an exact location of where the markers are.
- Take plenty of water and some food.
- Wear appropriate footwear and clothes for the conditions.
- If visiting national parks or walking tracks, check with Parks Victoria via parkweb.vic.gov.au ahead of time for closures.
