By Steve Cuff
THE bushfires that swept through northern Kosciuszko National Park in early January have been devastating, leaving Selwyn Snow Resort destroyed, Cabramurra losing significant housing and the historical Kiandra precinct in utter ruins.
The Blyton Group, owner of Selwyn Snow Resort advised in early February that due to the extent of the damage sustained the resort would not be open for the 2020 season.
An initial assessment of critical resort infrastructure has identified extensive damage to buildings, power, water, sewerage and snowmaking. Selwyn Snow Resort has been advised that restoration of power alone will take several months.
Preparations for the clean-up of the site are underway with demolition of all buildings required, as well as the removal of destroyed resort machinery. Detailed assessment of lifting and snowmaking infrastructure will continue to be undertaken, requiring portable generators to be brought on-site.
“We have considered a range of options to try and resume operations for this coming winter, however the damage to critical infrastructure is simply too extensive to make this possible,” said Kevin James Blyton, Chairman of the Blyton Group.
Mr Blyton said they are “totally focused on the rebuild of Selwyn Snow Resort” with the resort looking to resume operations in 2021.
The Snowy Hydro township of Cabramurra was also significantly damaged with the company stating, “Sadly 36 houses were destroyed in the 4 January fire, along with several of the unit blocks, the school, the old ski club, and the Edinburgh Cottage where many members of the Royal family, including the Queen have stayed.”
“The main buildings housing the bistro and general store, the fuel depot and other buildings are all standing and will be a great base to rebuild from. Cabramurra is an important part of Snowy’s history and we're already working on plans to rebuild the town. We plan to use the latest fire resistant building technologies to help the town withstand future bushfire threats.”
The historical Kiandra precinct has been obliterated with only the brick work surviving the fire onslaught and stone chimneys standing isolated. On the drive from Adaminaby there is a trail of burnt high country huts including Delaney, Sawyers Rest House, Wolgal, Pattison’s Hut, Mathews and the Kiandra Courthouse.
There have also been other significant huts lost including Bradleys and O’Briens, Round Mountain and 4 Mile. Fire has been an ongoing enemy at Kiandra over decades, with many of the signposts indicating previous fires destroying much of this historic precinct. After the 2003 fires many of the huts were rebuilt, which will be a likely scenario again.
At Yarrangobilly Caves, heroic feats of 36 hours of fire fighting by NPWS staff has saved the historic buildings in this precinct, including the heritage listed Caves House.
You can see the dramatic caves fire video by NPWS staff member Scott Davis on our website at snowymagazine.com.au/2020/01/10/kosciuszko-huts-and-heritage/. Other bushfire related stories can also be viewed in our website news archive.
