The pristine nature of Lake Fyans is at risk of irreversible damage, a Halls Gap resident regretfully said.
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Renate Weinert said fresh damage to Crown land near Kelleys Beach Rd, Grants Access Rd and Devils Garden Rd is sickening.
"Someone has bulldozed the whole area," she said.
"One week there are small, windy access tracks and the next week there are roads wide enough for two cars.
"Someone has created new roads through the reserve too.
"They came through here with their off-road vehicles and ripped up the roads.
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"They have decimated the whole area."
Ms Weinert said the reserve is home to several popular orchids, including the candy spider orchid (caladenia versicolor) and rabbit-earned spider orchid (thelymitra antennifera).
"People have been coming here for years to look at the orchids," she said.
"Officers from the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria come here every year to monitor orchid numbers; when they heard about the damage they said it was 'heart wrenching'.
"I understand DELWP (The Department of Land, Water and Planning) and police are looking into the vandalism.
"I want the area protected from damage."
The Ararat Advertiser contacted the Halls Gap police, the Northern Grampians Shire and DELWP for comment.
More to come.
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Ben Fraser
Ben is the Editor with the Wimmera Mail-Times, Stawell Times-News and Ararat Advertiser. Ben is the former chief of staff at the Portland Observer, a qualified teacher, and an Leadership Great South Coast alumni (2019).
Ben is the Editor with the Wimmera Mail-Times, Stawell Times-News and Ararat Advertiser. Ben is the former chief of staff at the Portland Observer, a qualified teacher, and an Leadership Great South Coast alumni (2019).
