Wymlet Track closure in Murray-Sunset

Wednesday 15 August, 2012

Parks Victoria is closing the Wymlet Tank in the south east corner of Murray-Sunset National Park.

This is part of an ongoing program of removing artificial waters, such as dams and tanks from within the national park. 

Since 1996 more than 50 catchment dams within Murray-Sunset National Park have been closed in accordance with a recommendation from the Land Conservation Council (LCC). The LCC recommended that dams not required for fire fighting should be closed because they support feral animals and an artificially high numbers of kangaroos.

Parks Victoria’s Environment Program Manager in the Mallee, Peter Sandell, said that priority to date with dam closures has been given to dams which are relatively remote from other artificial water sources.

“This is because these remote dams have supported goat populations in the core areas of the park.”

“The Wymlet Tank is close to the park boundary but still allows goats to extend further into the park than would otherwise be the case,” Mr Sandell said.

“Research in western New South Wales has found that goat populations tend to be concentrated within 3kms of water sources. We have also had issues with pigs in the south-east of the park.”

“DSE has advised us that the dam is not needed for fire suppression purposes, so the closure of Wymlet Tank will be completed in the next few weeks."