Sent, but I wrote my own letter, and didnt use the form letter provided.
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Sent, but I wrote my own letter, and didnt use the form letter provided.
Thats my backyard so to speak. Part of me agrees that shutting the tracks would be a good thing. There is some bloody irisponcable drivers I can asure you. Ripping up dunes, driving through wetland, not sticking to marked tracks and making their own. Been using that area for 30 plus years and have seen a huge deteriation. Once when it was too wet on the tracks we didnt go, now tey put bigger and bigger and more agresive tyres and go any way. Most of those tracks we used to be able to drive in vw buggies (most nearly standard). I am of two minds on this but it does need something done.
cheers
blaze
ps
At this point I wont be doing an email
Thanks BlazeQuote:
Originally Posted by bblaze
I am pleased that you have put another point of view. This Rally is not just about the banning of offroad vehicles on tracks, but more about the secretive process that has led to the decision of closures of tracks.
To look at the plan I must agree that there are plenty of tracks that run parallel to each other and loops that serve no purpose that should be shut. But this could have been done in such a way, that with a proper course of open consultation with users, the best outcome could have been achieved for all.
The access is being denied to many groups, not just four wheel drive and the only ones that will be allowed through are super fit masochists that are few in numbers and are only intent on bagging another track, the word that describes this situation that comes to mind is called, discrimination!
That rules me out from seeing a lot of the country that is south of the Interview River to the Pieman River. I may be able to walk a small part of the way, but I would be very hungry when I return, as I am unable to carry any load in the form of an overnight pack, due to chronic pain caused by a ruptured L5 disk.
There must be a lot of people that can drive comfortably into these areas, but some can not walk in due to mild disability, these people are not the types to trash the country that they want to see, so what are the authorities trying to protect in this instance?
Can we have the key to get through please?
Tarkine Trails – Walking Tours Wild Tarkine Coast.
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Arthur,Quote:
Originally Posted by wrinklearthur
You mention wanting to see South of the Interview River, I have been to this area many times. It is very remote, ever changing beaches and not just a Sunday drive. For the very experienced only with a group. Disaster can happen very quickly and recovery is very difficult in such a remote isolated location. I coastline and environment is not that much different to the rest of the West Coast. I belive there should be some restrictions to a point not total lock up but some conditions should be met.
My 2 cents worth from a regular user.
Cheers
You quite correct in saying this, this part of the country is both dangerous and beautiful. There have been plenty of stories about the four wheel drive's that were caught in quick sand and then covered by the raging surf.Quote:
Originally Posted by Piddler
Has anyone some photo's of problems in this area to emphasise the dangers of traveling alone and getting the timing wrong in respect to the tide and getting caught with quick sand? It would be good to see some on here.
In the early 1970's, a group of members of the Four wheel drive club of Tasmania traveled one Easter from Hobart to Strahan, then followed the coast right through to Woolnorth. The punt they used to cross the Pieman River, was made out of forty four gallon drums and was dragged across with a tinny with a outboard motor. The short wheel base Land Rovers made the crossing without any drama's, but a mates Long wheel base Toyota Ute had it's bum in the water, as there wasn't any more drums available to make the punt carry the much heavier load !
This trip under the present restrictions is definitely history.
http://www.ourwestcoast.com/phpBB3/v...c.php?f=4&t=88
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This is an except from a PM that I have responded to.
For those who don't know what all the fuss is about, can I ask you to familiarise yourself with the Arthur - Pieman management plan and then choose your response.
My personal wish is that controls are put in place and then permission to travel is obtained with a key available to gain access.
An fine example of this already happening is the Mount McCall track.
Definitely controls, but not a total ban on travel to those who can not walk in.
The area is being loved to death, that is why some that are green sympathetic, are pushing to ban any traffic through this area other than walkers.
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What do people think of the group email that 4WDaction has prepared so that people can punch out emails en masse?
It seems to me to not really approach the issue in a constructive way. Not a lot of thought has gone into it, and so it's possible impact has been lost in being more easily overlooked by the powers-that-be. For example, it doesn't even seem to address the issues that are apparent in the area. instead it makes it an 'us and them' argument that just divides opinions instead of bringing together some kind of synthesis of ideas together for the betterment of all involved.
Here is the copy:
SamQuote:
Dear Minister,
4WDers are very passionate about enjoying their own backyard and Australia is a 4WD country. It is a country that relies and depends upon 4WDs. As a 4WDer I want the opportunity to teach my children the values that Australia stands for, and there is no better avenue to do this than through 4WDing.
I want to make my position very clear. I strongly disapprove of the closing of 4WD tracks in the Arthur Pieman area on the Tasmanian West Coast.
You have repeatedly stated that you sought public consultation, so that the final management plan represented the needs and wishes of the entire community. Why then does it seem like the thousands of submissions against restricting access have been ignored in favour of the vast minority?
4WDing in Tasmania is legendary across the country. It attracts an immense number of visitors to the region every single year. To shut tracks would be to do an enormous disservice to the region’s tourism. Even more important than that, to close the tracks to local 4WDers who have lived, worked and raised families in the area for generations is beyond belief. It is our duty to maintain access to this amazing area for all Australians.
As part of a national family of more than 240,000 4WDers, we believe we are not being heard.
I want you to immediately stop the implementation of this management plan and open the door to genuine, open consultation from all user groups.
I sincerely hope that common sense prevails, and that the Arthur Pieman area remains freely accessible to Australians.
I await your reply.
What I noticed about this message, is that the message only looked at the point of view of the four wheel driver. What about the horse riders, trail bikes, mountain bikes, fishermen and others that don't own a four wheel drive.Quote:
Originally Posted by series3
However something is better than nothing, and I sent that message with my name attached.
The official line by the steering committee can be gauged by the following open letter.
Quote:
7th May 2012.
To all 4WD Tasmania members, recreational vehicle users and concerned Tasmanians
You should by now be aware of the ‘Access to the West Coast’ protest rally being held at Smithton Recreation Ground at
12 Noon on Sunday 20th May. The rally is being organised by a newly-formed group named the ‘Save our Heritage
Group’. A number of their members and supporters are also members of 4WD clubs and are therefore also members of
4WD Tasmania.
The chairman of the Save our Heritage Group is retired MLC, Mr Tony Fletcher. I have met and also spoken to him to
discuss the issues around access to public land; responsible use of public land and tracks; and the apparent lack of
proper consultation before land management decisions are made. Mr Fletcher impressed me as an intelligent, levelheaded
person whose group is seeking a fair and reasonable approach to the management of public land for all users;
nothing more, nothing less.
He has asked for our support by people attending the rally and by our association taking any other sensible action to
keep this important issue alive. I have agreed to support the cause, to attend the rally and to address the protestors on
behalf of 4WD Tasmania.
The executive committee of 4WD Tasmania has also met informally on two occasions in the last fortnight and we have
organised a re-modeled ‘We need tracks as well as roads’ bumper sticker with the added phrase ‘I support 4WD
Tasmania’ and our web address, 4wd Tasmania. We distributed these stickers through our regional contacts
and are providing them free to club members and are asking for a $1.00 donation from anyone else who would like to
support the ongoing cause. We had several thousand printed and there are still some left if clubs or individuals need
more.
4WD Tasmania has also written two letters to the Minister, Mr Brian Wightman about track closures, the Arthur Pieman
access issue and the proposed Sandy Cape Hut demolition. To date we’ve had no proper response!
I know 4WDing is a pastime some of us enjoy occasionally and a passion that others vigorously pursue to get to remote
places and enjoy the challenges of Tasmania’s magnificent countryside. I also know that protests have been held before
and stickers have been printed before with limited success in striving for what we believe in.
So, today I am writing to strongly urge you to read this letter and share it around your clubs, families, friends and
workmates so they too can appreciate and understand what we are all trying to achieve – Fair access for all!
The issues that are being fought for in the Smithton protest rally are issues that we all should think about and be
prepared to stand up for. The Save our Heritage Group is not after preferential treatment or making unrealistic
demands on government; or expecting public money to be handed out or wasted; they are simply asking that the
heritage values that they share, that we all share, not be taken away and that they also be respected.
The current State Government seems to be easily swayed, even led, by minority groups demanding rights for one thing
or another; expecting revolutionary change to practices they don’t agree with; and denying the majority of fair-minded
Tasmanians the right to work and live in a fair and reasonable way.
This rally is your opportunity to show support for the heritage values that the majority of Tasmanians share, enjoy and
should reasonably expect.
It is very important that the rally is supported in a sensible, respectful fashion by as many people as possible. Politicians
have been invited and speakers (including myself) and national 4WD identities will be addressing the crowd.
Please make every effort to GET THERE!
We want and need as many people as possible. Those from the southern and northern regions of the State should
consider sharing vehicles and fuel expenses. Consider travelling up the night before and making a weekend of it.
Although final logistics are not yet complete, a sausage sizzle, food and drinks have been organised for sale on the day.
There is free camping nearby and a range of other accommodation options near Smithton, Stanley or part way there.
Don’t look for excuses not to go; look for ways to get there!
The organisers have made it clear to me that they want people. Vehicles are not required as part of the rally so there is
no need to bring a 4WD. The media has been informed and are expected to be there in numbers. I understand what the
organisers are suggesting and I would advise that this rally should be seen by all club members as an opportunity to
show we are respectful, decent, reasonable people asking for a fair go. Mud-covered vehicles and people standing
around drinking alcohol would not be appropriate when we are trying to send out a strong message that we respect
these areas!
So, discuss this important issue at your next club meeting; circulate it on e mail; text your club-mates and inform them;
ring a couple of your members and get them to spread the word; talk to other 4WDers; invite other people to the rally;
put a bumper sticker on your car; get yourself organised; and GET THERE!
Thanks in advance,
Brian Hevey
President 4WD Tasmania