There are concerns a popular and historical walking track in Beechworth could remained closed for good after Parks Victoria deemed it unsafe.
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Signage and tape appeared on the Silver Creek walking trail that links Lake Sambell and Lake Kerferd in September.
The open-ended closure was attributed to "the level of risk from open and semi-open mine shafts".
One local described it as "Beechworth's most-used walking trail" and frustration at its continuing closure led to the issue being raised with Indigo Council.
Registered prospector Darren Sutton questioned why the track was suddenly deemed unsafe after decades of use.
"I cringe when I see 'engineer's assessment' - it's probably someone sitting at a desk in Melbourne, making decisions that affect a lot of people," he said.
"Risk management is Parks Victoria's catch-cry.
"We're promoting tourism within Australia, and people getting out in the bush, yet they put this sign up and then don't do anything about it.
"This needs to be fixed."
The 10-kilometre trail follows Silver Creek and there are hundreds of former mine shafts in the area, some covered by mesh.
"The track itself has been here for a long time," Mr Sutton said.
"The dredge that actually dredged the area where Lake Sambell is came up the creek and the remnants of it are still halfway up the track.
"There's bits of history like that.
"It's used by locals, but it's also used by people who stay at the caravan park."
Mr Sutton wondered if increased use by mountain bikers had prompted the engineer's assessment, and said if that was the case, Parks Victoria could replace deteriorating mesh and fencing.
"If they're going fast and don't see a shaft on the corner because there's leaves over it, and the mesh collapses because it's old, yes, that's probably a problem," he said.
"So they need to just take some remedial action and maybe fill in the holes.
"What they normally do is put four heavy-duty posts around the shaft and fencing - making it obvious that it's there.
"Give me the weld-mesh, I'll get four guys together tomorrow and have it fixed by lunchtime."
Parks Victoria has this week put a notification of the closure on the section of its website about the Beechworth Historic Park.
But Mr Sutton said there had not been enough communication about the change, with the signage being 10 minutes into the track and not at its entry from Beechworth.
"The angst in the community is probably from locals more than anything else, and they have asked why there was no warning," he said.
"The main issue is, when are they going to fix it?
"I get on alright with Parks Victoria, I just don't agree with a lot of the things that they are doing.
"There's been a lot of this, what I call 'star-picket signage', appearing around the place."
Chiltern site also closed
Parks Victoria is yet to indicate when two North East attractions will reopen to the public.
An independent engineer was engaged to assess the Lake Sambell to Lake Kerferd walking track for advice on the extent of mineshafts in the area and the associated risk.
This engineer's report is expected shortly.
Parks Victoria district manager Charlotte Bisset said a section of the walking track was closed for safety reasons.
"An inspection of the track identified serious safety concerns relating to abandoned mine shafts," she said.
"The track was recommended for immediate closure.
"The track provides access from Lake Kerferd to Lake Sambell in Beechworth.
"The rest of the track remains open. Signage is in place to notify visitors of the closure."
It comes as the years-long closure of the platform to access the Yeddonba Aboriginal Cultural Site continues at the nearby Chiltern Mount Pilot National Park.
Chiltern resident Kevin Mayhew said it was identified five years ago, when he was a member of the Indigo tourism advisory committee, that the site needed better access.
"We hear the words coming out of Spring Street regarding regional tourism, and now is the time for them to back that up with dollars," he said.
"The number of cars with bikes on their roofs in the area is phenomenal; we need to make sure the product we have is befitting the 21st Century."
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"The number of cars with bikes on their roofs in the area is phenomenal; we need to make sure the product we have is befitting the 21st Century."