Thread: Stockton Beach Access Protest 2nd Feb

good question, have not looked at their forum for a while.
however it does bug me that 4wda do this without full consultation with the appropriate body 4wd council, instead preferring to go guns blazing and not really getting anything done.

still, will wait to see what feedback there is in relation to the 4wd council.

Searching this site for the work "closure" returned over 400 threads all related to track closures. Searching for "reopen" only returns 60 and not many of these relate to tracks.

I have only been 4wding for 10 years but in that time I don't recall seeing a track around Sydney and Newcastle reopened once closed and since I am not
affiliated with any club I never even new there was a council fighting the battle.

Using my very roughly collected statistics they don't really seem to be winning more than we are losing so maybe some public rallies are what is required to raise awareness regardless of whether or not you like those that are running it.

National Park closures are part of UN's Agenda 21 global plan to close off key public areas to the public. Be prepared for more closures. Show of force via protest is only way to slow this down.

On my 6 month lap around Oz, I've spoken extensively to people caught up in the political games. For example, care taker at Hamelin Pool (Shark Bay, WA) now managed by UN as WA Parks have supposedly failed. Why? Because WA NP misdirected public funds from the Shark Bay World Heritage area to the Pinnacles where they built a flashy tourist center to make money. In many WA parks NP then got private operators to manage the parks while they collect share of the profit. (eg. Valley of the Giants, Denmark, and many light houses, caves etc in south west WA).

I lived near Stockton for 5 years, and would go there 2-3 times a week so I know the area really well. The mild (normal yearly) erosion is an excuse to keep campers off the beach and especially dunes. (You can still drive on a few dunes south of Signa Ship Wreck). Late last year I spoke to 2 NP rangers on Stockton beach (minions carrying out orders)... they couldn't give me a valid reason why public couldn't drive on dunes a few miles from Anna Bay end (excluding the ex-military section) while the private tour operators can not only go on tour-operator area but also other parts of Stockton. BTW, speaking to a few locals in One Mile I was told a Chinese developer is funding the new resort being built on the sand near the Anna Bay exit/entry

A lot of politics behind Stockton and many NSW NP closures. We need to stand up and show we know what they are up to else Stockton will end up in the hands of private operators who will charge $$$ like in WA. Follow the money trail and you'll find the truth behind all the NP closures.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=412093148875154

This is the text of the Press Release today:

OK, we have had no response for over 24 hours from John Rooth, so below is now our response.

Four Wheel Drive NSW&ACT (the Association) does not support the protest rally organised by Roothy and 4X4 Action Magazine. There are several reasons for this decision which was not made lightly and involved discussion with GSRC (Greater Sydney Region Committee - Bob) club Delegates at their recent meeting (Monday night - Bob)

We have been trying to broker a meeting between the organisers of the protest, NPWS and ourselves. We have had no response from the event organisers although NPWS are keen to participate. In addition we must be mindful of the views of the traditional landowners - the Worimi people - on whose behalf NPWS manage the area as well as private land owners/lessees.

We do not believe additional access at this time is in the best interests of the sustainable long term use of Stockton beach for all user groups. The beach and associated dune area suffered severe damage and will need time to restore itself, if it is not given this time it will be lost to all for ever. This is not the first occasion that such damage or restrictions have happened, it will not be the last and the best way to get the beach open to all is to let it recover - a natural process which must run its course.

The main reason we have access to Stockton Beach now is because of the work of a few dedicated members of this Association over the last fifteen years or so. Their hard work has focussed on keeping this beach open to all, not just Association members. At our last quarterly meeting the Chairman of Hunter Region (R.K.) tabled documentation including maps etc. which he offered to discuss with Clubs interested in using the area at its conclusion. NOT ONE SINGLE CLUB representative took the opportunity to do so. The Association has the latest information on its web site under "Documents" - Temporary Changes to Stockton Beach and Dunes..

Please be advised that the Association will not encourage participation in any protest where the reasons for it are not for the advancement of 4WDing generally and the organisers have either not undertaken appropriate research before calling for such action and/or are utilising the prospective event for "other" purposes. You will note that the document referred to above on our website is titled "TEMPORARY CHANGES" which of itself indicates that there is no intention to abandon previous access arrangements.

Craig Thomas
Association President
31/01/2013

For days the Association has been trying to get all the parties together but have not had a response from John Rooth today.

Bob

From what I've seen on various Internet discussions, it appears that the protest will comprise mainly of people who don't know that there is a difference between a right and a privilege.

They all appear to be demanding that they should have certain "rights" but without wanting to take on any of the responsibilities that come with the privileges they are granted.

For consideration

Having done lots of work over the past 10 years under the intimate gaze of militant action groups and government organisations as part of my paid employment I can offer this conclusion.

What should and eventually will work is the combined action of all fronts. Some issues can gain valuable traction amongst decision makers only when there is a public outcry that attracts the attention of politicians who rely on the general publics votes / perceptions to keep their jobs alive. The continued action of the 4wd association IS IMPORTANT and should remain on the front foot with NPWS and political persuasion. Guess what is also important, the outcry of the majority of every day average aussies who at this point in time seem to have a voice through 4wd Action and Roothy.

What won't work is the continued "brow beating" that seems to be occurring between "4wd Action & Roothy's way" or the "4wd ACT & NSW Association way". Give it a break and unite the efforts (intended for both parties). The "us" and "them" within a common interest party is old and should be dismantled.

I do not belong to an affiliated 4wd club, though I have been 4wding locally for many many years and have enjoyed the access to Stockton Beach for those years (especially camping with my boys). I'll be there on Saturday screaming with the rest of "the bogans", only I'll be leaning on my Land Rover Discovery and hoping and praying that the "behind the scenes" guys and gals can work with the media traction and attention that all us "screaming beer throwing bogans" will attract.

Cheers (from a highly educated and mature "bogan" who does NOT want to lose long term access to camp and drive on the dunes at Stockton beach)

Originally Posted by goldey

For consideration

Having done lots of work over the past 10 years under the intimate gaze of militant action groups and government organisations as part of my paid employment I can offer this conclusion.

What should and eventually will work is the combined action of all fronts. Some issues can gain valuable traction amongst decision makers only when there is a public outcry that attracts the attention of politicians who rely on the general publics votes / perceptions to keep their jobs alive. The continued action of the 4wd association IS IMPORTANT and should remain on the front foot with NPWS and political persuasion. Guess what is also important, the outcry of the majority of every day average aussies who at this point in time seem to have a voice through 4wd Action and Roothy.

What won't work is the continued "brow beating" that seems to be occurring between "4wd Action & Roothy's way" or the "4wd ACT & NSW Association way". Give it a break and unite the efforts (intended for both parties). The "us" and "them" within a common interest party is old and should be dismantled.

The very great difference between the efforts of the volunteers in the clubs and the Association and those who are making money out of the 4WD industry is that the money makers need the publicity continuously while the volunteers are working away in the background for nothing. Then the likes of John Rooth and many before him can claim that it was their involvement that saved the day.

I do not belong to an affiliated 4wd club, though I have been 4wding locally for many many years and have enjoyed the access to Stockton Beach for those years (especially camping with my boys). I'll be there on Saturday screaming with the rest of "the bogans", only I'll be leaning on my Land Rover Discovery and hoping and praying that the "behind the scenes" guys and gals can work with the media traction and attention that all us "screaming beer throwing bogans" will attract.

If there is a need for a protest, rally or demonstration it should be done properly with whichever land manager also invited to attend and see the degree of disatisfaction their decisions have caused and they should be treated civilly.

Cheers (from a highly educated and mature "bogan" who does NOT want to lose long term access to camp and drive on the dunes at Stockton beach)

Not everyone who takes part in protests is a "bogan" - sometimes it is their only exposure to what they may know or believe is a genuine situation that may affect their hobby or recreation. Remember John Howard (with bullet proof vest) standing before well behaved, suited or flannoed "rednecks" at the Gun Rally.

Anyway, not too many "bogans" on here I suspect.

Bob