Thread: Stockton Beach Access Protest 2nd Feb

I do not think this is a good move as it will just harden the resolve of National Parks to close the area.

Also the last person in the world I would want representing the cause would be Roothy - he has little credibility with the majority of 4wders (Toyota drivers exempt) and far less with NPs - I doubt they will listen to someone like him.

Working behind the scenes with NPs is the way to achieve results - using politics and not protests - certainly not at this stage.

Garry

It's becoming a bit of a pattern - Roothy champions the right of 4wder's to drive whereever the they want even when areas are closed temporarily to protect Aboriginal sites. What a ****ing idiot.

The 2.3m storm surge resulted in major flooding over and behind the frontal dune that damaged and exposed Aboriginal sites, killed beach vegetation and damaged large areas of dunes where visitors normally camped.

Whilst there has been some natural replenishment of sand back onto the frontal dunes, they are not stable enough to take the pressure of campers returning - or to guarantee that a storm does not again wash them away.

Despite considerable effort it has not been possible to find and develop alternative camping areas that ensure the dunes, beach & cultural sites are looked after, and that campers are safe from inundation during high tides and large swells.

People can still fish at night, but camping, including camping structures, tents or swags, are not permitted.

Rangers patrol the park and will be targeting illegal camping and access. On-the-spot fines and/or prosecution apply.

The Worimi Conservation Lands Board of Management, and the NPWS remain committed to seeing a return to camping on the lands, but needs to ensure that camping areas do not damage Aboriginal sites, are safe and sustainable.

Useing roothy as a sort of figure head for this is not the best idea. But we need to learn from experience here once sparks&wildfires close something temporally how often does it ever re open? They have been trying it on fraiser for years to stop camping and driveing on the island un less you stay at the jap owned resort and view the island from there tour busses

Fair enough if they want to protect certain Aboriginal sites that have been exposed behind the small frontal dunes by flooding but what's that got to do with the big sand dunes out the back? Seems like they just wanted an excuse to close the entire dune area the full length of the beach, not just the small area affected by the storm surge.

For those not familiar with Stockton, The report above is exaggerated, the beach sees these conditions almost yearly and i have seen it much worse before. Its never been a problem in the past, but now NPWS has control they have closed the beach for camping - Its pretty obvious what they are up to, they will no doubt provide some extra facilities, maybe toilets at the entry points then re-open the beach for camping..... with fees attached!

Another point, the "Aboriginal sites" are some piles of shells on the beach left from aboriginal feasts on pipis, of which most are now fenced off to prevent people driving over them. Besides this there are only a few of these spots exposed the on beach at the moment its not like the whole beach is completely covered by them.



Also the areas most people use to camp are unaffacted by the damage to the beach front as anyone with half a brain usually camps behind the frontal dune area to get a little shelter. You would have to be camped a long way down the beach towards the water for the erosion to be a problem. As for not being able to find alternative areas to camp, if they dropped the rule about camping close to the high tide mark so we could camp in the dunes again as it had been in the past(i think that rule is 2 years old?) It wouldn't be a problem and there is plenty of areas to camp up the back.

I have also noticed the area closed in the big dunes north of Lavis which is closed for driving at the moment is still in use by the quad School from Murrook - which is aboriginal owned, but certainly seems like a bit of a double standard.

Not doubting the concern about the actions and intent of National Parks but what is proposed is not the way to deal with it. We need to get the NSW 4WD Association (the recognised peak body) to start action behind the scenes. Those who are in 4wd clubs need to raise this at your next meeting and get your representatives on the 4wd Association to get action going - if down the track negotiations are not going the desired way and they organise a protest I am sure it will carry much more weight than something run by Roothy.

Garry

Originally Posted by 460cixy

They have been trying it on fraiser for years to stop camping and driveing on the island un less you stay at the jap owned resort and view the island from there tour busses

It is only fit and proper that John Rooth, Australias most respected and articulate advocate for the rights of recreational four wheel drive enthusiasts, lead and speak on our behalf, protest being the only forum of effect upon those whose focus is the prevention of access by motor vehicle to non road areas and the ultimate extinction of four wheel drive vehicles as a species. Every closure is a battle that must be fought and John Rooth is our general.