Thread: Tasmanian Rally against Track closures

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

Originally Posted by bblaze

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 Blaze

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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Originally Posted by wrinklearthur

Thanks Blaze

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.
.

Arthur,
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

Originally Posted by Piddler

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.

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.

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.
.

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:

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.

Sam