A sinkhole discovered on Victoria’s Great Alpine Road near Jackass Gully has prompted a complete road closure between Harrietville and Hotham Heights, creating significant disruptions for residents, businesses, and schools.
The sinkhole, identified on Saturday morning, is suspected to be caused by a disused mineshaft under the road. Emergency services, alongside geo-technical experts and the Department of Transport, are assessing the site to evaluate the extent of the damage and formulate a repair strategy.
Chris Brockwell, State Emergency Service (SES) regional commander, emphasized safety as the priority. “We believe it’s probably a disused mineshaft, but further assessments are underway,” he stated.
Impact on Travel and Community
The road closure has cut off direct access to Hotham Heights, forcing travelers to take alternative routes through Dargo or Omeo. Despite these challenges, local businesses remain open.
Steve Belli, president of the Mount Hotham Chamber of Commerce, reassured visitors, saying, “The road closure is necessary to keep everyone safe. Hotham and Dinner Plain are still open for business; access is just restricted from the Harrietville side.”
School Closures
The Great Alpine School at Dinner Plain has also been affected, as staff residing in Bright are unable to reach the campus. While students remain safe under teacher supervision, the school has been closed indefinitely, awaiting a resolution to the access issue.
Authorities have cautioned that the road closure is likely to remain in effect for some time, as safety evaluations and repairs progress.
