Given the unusual fire activity and weather conditions we are currently experiencing, we have revised our hazardous conditions policy.  This takes effect immediately.  Your safety is paramount, and the cancellation criteria have been set with this in mind.  However, ultimately you are the best judge of whether the conditions are appropriate for you to participate safely and enjoyably.  If you have any concerns please contact your leader or a committee member.

Please make sure you check the website the night before and morning of your walk to check it’s status, and if uncertain please contact your leader.

Cancellation criteria

Day walks

In the following circumstances a day walk will be cancelled if forecast or actual conditions are:

• Fire Danger Rating (FDR) “severe”, “extreme” or “code red”
• Air Quality Rating (AQR) “very poor” or “hazardous”
• Wind Speed Rating (WSR) “gale force”, “storm force” or “hurricane force” (ie greater than 34 knots/63 km/hour)
• Temperature above 35 degrees Celsius
• Flood warnings in area of walk
• Walk route or road access is closed
• Park Rangers, other informed locals or experienced bushwalkers advise not safe to walk
• Planned burns in or near walk route, or road access
• Excessive rain
• Blizzards
• Heavy snowfalls
• Known incidents that make the walk or the drive there unsafe (Eg. dust storm, falling trees).

Multi-day walks

Where forecasts meet cancellation criteria on at least one day during the walk, the Leader considers whether walk can be suspended safely for those days, or whether the whole walk needs to be cancelled.

Conditions requiring Leader to exercise judgement

In the following circumstances the Leader has primary responsibility to determine whether walks proceed:

• FDR “very high”
• AQR “poor”
• Temperature between 30-35 degrees Celsius.