Cheviot Tunnel now closed...

[Bird]

From EOz

After some 30 years of shared use the famous Cheviot railway tunnel near Alexandra in Victoria has been closed to vehicles, it will remain open to horses walkers and bike riders as part of the creation of a large Railway trek from near Yea to Mansfield.

Being able to drive the kids thru the tunnel and play trains has been probably the only unique tourist attraction that the shire of Murrindindi has.

Just some history - the Shire of Murrindindi contains Marysville Kinglake Alexandra and Yea and was the single biggest loser in the recent Victorian fires with a huge loss of life.

The bureaucracy looked around for some way to inject significant money into the area and decided to complete a languishing disused railway line and make it into a tourist attraction with the injection of some $15 million dollars.

Many locals like ourselves supported the overall plan but are dismayed that the detail revealed that driving thru the tunnel would be banned.

This happened suddenly a few weeks ago but has only recently come to light thru a thread in 4X4 earth I have been involved in.

We surveyed the site Friday and attached are some pictures.

The bollards are already in the ground.
http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/89479/CHEVIOT_TUNNEL_LOCKOUT.aspx?ky=&sn=&p=%2fForum%2fDefault.aspx%3fpn%3d1

But why?

[D4D]

http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=12866.0

Miller is a drama queen, there was no suddenly about it, locals and Rich and therefore us new about it in April...

[GU Rich]

I have through there plenty of times. I have a trip report about it. It was sealed when I drove there last. I Think I even mentioned in my thread it will be closed after chatting to a local cocky about it.

[Bird]

http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=12866.0

Miller is a drama queen

we know he is with his lightweight GU, but *suprisingly* 4wd Victoria know nothing of this - even with their Memorandum of Understanding with Parks Victoria.. Thats amazing.
Search brought up only 4 threads, none I saw mentioned closure.

Add to that, Parks Victoria will also be closing huts that are a safety risk (or too expensive to restore) - give it time, Craigs will be the only one left... easier and cheaper to maintain just 1.

[D4D]

Rich had the exclusive then

[GU Rich]

Rich had the exclusive then

So did Swaggers

[cruza driver]

Old news next topic please 

It is a shame though as it is/was a very unique experience to drive through, then while there also to walk through it to look at the craftmanship that was involved in building the tunnel 

[deepop]

That's a real shame.

Last time through there I stopped at the other end and walked back through with the two older kids who enjoyed the drive and loved seeing it but were very, very scared walking through it and weren't interested in looking at any of it.

[Robin Miller]

These things aren't about being first to post , but rather about getting the message out there that we are losing a local icon of 4wding , and hopefully motivate some action.

The other half of the post goes on to say that I have arranged a meeting with council to-morrow and a couple of pictures of a group of cars in the tunnel would also be handy.

Robin Miller

[D4D]

Hardly a 'local icon of 4wding' when you could drive a car down it.

Good luck with your meeting, I am pretty sure what the outcome will be.

[Robin Miller]

What makes it a local icon , is that its featured all over the place and attracts people to the area.

You see its picture on rooftops maps, the drive is written up in the 4wd touring books and has even featured on TV programs like going 4wd.

I don't get good feelings about he outcome either , but I do know that unless we get out there and fight for things then we are increasingly going to lose habitat.

[Bird]

, but I do know that unless we get out there and fight for things then we are increasingly going to lose habitat.

Sadly Robin is 100% right here. If we dont look after our own interests, nobody else is going to give a Shit.
Most Gov depts and Greens would have a stiffy if they closed everywhere for "future" generations - when is that exactly before people are allowed to enjoy it again??? 500yrs? Is that future enough?

Remember its cheaper to close places than fix them every season. I sadly feel its too late on the Tunnel.

Maybe if people hear whispers and 'scoops' in the future, contact 4wd Vic who are out there fighting the good fight for us. Wayne is the bloke to contact there.

4WD Vic
Mailing Address: PO Box 1015G, Balwyn North, VIC, 3104
(Melways Ref. 46 G2)

Ph: 03 9857 5209
Fax: 03 9857 5260
E-mail: office@fwdvictoria.org.au


I'm still shocked that 4wd Vic know nothing about it..

[D4D]

I still don't see what all the fuss is about but each to their own.

[Bird]

These things aren't about being first to post , but rather about getting the message out there that we are losing a local icon of 4wding , and hopefully motivate some action.

The other half of the post goes on to say that I have arranged a meeting with council to-morrow and a couple of pictures of a group of cars in the tunnel would also be handy

So how did ya go Robin?

[Bird]

These things aren't about being first to post , but rather about getting the message out there that we are losing a local icon of 4wding , and hopefully motivate some action.

The other half of the post goes on to say that I have arranged a meeting with council to-morrow and a couple of pictures of a group of cars in the tunnel would also be handy.

Robin Miller

Updates?

[Brumbypt]

The rail trail is bring many ppl to the area and you can still drive to it and over the hill, just have to take ya time and walk through the tunnel and really enjoy it..

I have driven through it many times, 4wd car and probably on the motorbike too..
Also drove a customer through it in the taxi..

U can ow ride a bike from yea to alex or mansfield ...

Big asset for the area..

[Andrew_C]

Closed by the shire of murrindindi, PV and dse(depi) had nothing to do with it, has been know that it was going to be closed for ages since they were going to build the rail trail.,

ring the shire and complain to them, im pretty they have no agreement with 4x4 vic.

I can reason that bike riders, horse riders and walkers are not fans of cars driving through at the same time.

[Brumbypt]

I don't see the problem, last time i was the i parked on the track nearby and walked though the tunnel. Too easy..

[Bird]

The rail trail is bring many ppl to the area and you can still drive to it and over the hill, just have to take ya time and walk through the tunnel and really enjoy it..

That sounds as enticing as watching paint dry.

[Brumbypt]

That sounds as enticing as watching paint dry.

Depends it its paint on your new trailer, now thats exciting...