Thread: Gunshot creek, a disaster waiting to happen?

Originally Posted by Bigbjorn

To start with, I can't imagine why the responsible road authority have allowed the track to get in that state. Is it that 4WD lunatics have dug it out for a ****ing contest? "Mines bigger and better than yours". There must be other ways around. Thousands of tourists go up the cape these days. Modern 4WD's with an excess of power, ABS, ECT, etc. Nothing on the current peninsula roads should worry them. Did you go there in the 1950's-1960's? Mail men and carriers used 2WD light trucks on unspeakable tracks. Peninsula Transport (Arthur and Toots Holzheimer) ran up to the top using Leyland Hippos pulling semi-trailers. Hot, heavy, under-powered, slow, no power steering, rough ride, and did it on a weekly basis out of Cairns. Toots drove her Hippo in a floral dress and blucher boots. The pedals got too hot for bare feet or light footwear.

There is no "responsible road authority" - it is a bush track and to my knowledge, has never been a gazetted road.
The main cause of the "trench" there now, is thought to be from people with towbars fitted, and/or long rear overhang (like dual cab utes) digging into the bank as the back end comes down.

Originally Posted by Tombie

I recently left a position due to lack of recognition on behalf of the Manager that there is very real repercussions to not following process and adhering to procedures and legislation.

Wasn’t going to take the chance that I could potentially be held accountable for any potential issues and wasn’t willing to wait and be thrown under the bus when it (inevitably) does.

Yep. Some years back, I was managing a site and went over budget on PPE. The Director Operations called me to take me to task. I informed him that if I was directed (in writing) to stop spending, it would be on his head if there was a claim. He backed off very quickly.

Originally Posted by Tombie

I recently left a position due to lack of recognition on behalf of the Manager that there is very real repercussions to not following process and adhering to procedures and legislation.

Wasn’t going to take the chance that I could potentially be held accountable for any potential issues and wasn’t willing to wait and be thrown under the bus when it (inevitably) does.

Amen.
Big call that seems to be only made by those with genuine integrity in this modern world.
Just arrived in that place myself.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

If you give directions to a motorist who follows those distinctions and it ends badly, then in theory you can be held liable. Whether it actually happens depends on a lot of factors of course.

I work in a caravan park. If we direct someone onto a site and they say, hit a tree with their van or vehicle, we are liable

Originally Posted by wardy1

I work in a caravan park. If we direct someone onto a site and they say, hit a tree with their van or vehicle, we are liable

The world really has gotten a bit silly hasn't it. We seem to be living in a 'it's always someone else's fault' society.

I understand that gunshot is not the main road through.

I havent been there but a guy who went several years ago said you have to detour to gunshot, not the other way around.

Can anyone confirm that?

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

I understand that gunshot is not the main road through.

I havent been there but a guy who went several years ago said you have to detour to gunshot, not the other way around.

Can anyone confirm that?

I believe that is the case and if you do go the gunshot route there are plenty of safer ways to cross the creek at that point anyway.

Gunshot is a no go for most vehicles and a vehicle breaker when wet (think sled...) and too much front overhang or top heavy. Cheers