Finding Features in NSW National Parks

Thanks Charlie. I'll take that on board.
Cheers, Kevin

Hi Val. I'll let NP people look after their own rear ends. I'm sure they have plenty of practice. I just think it is a bit strange that I can find a list of parks by clicking an A to Z list, click the park, see a list of features that I can select from, click to see details and even click on a list that tells me I should wear sunscreen. I can click to open a map and scroll the map to find other places, so why, in 2014, can't I have a small panel that gives me the coordinates of where my cursor is pointing as I can in Google Earth and Hema on line maps.

I am a firm believer in topo maps in paper and on a navigational device. I have EO Topo on my Nexus 7, I use Google World and I am a dedicated user of and contributer to EO places. But there are many places that are not yet in EO or Google Earth. Many of those places are on NP web sites. So why can't I have coordinates so I can have way points on my navigation device? I think will write to to NSW NP and ask them.

And I hope they respond quicker than they have to my application for a Pensioner NP pass.

Cheers, Kevin

Kerry, if you read your latest EO newsletter you will see that you are preaching to the converted. I use places all the time, plus Wikicamps, Campin' Australia, Release 4 of Camps Australia plus the others that I mentioned to Val. Thanks for your input.

Cheers, Kevin

Yes I did, Bruce. That's the one that is taking so long. About 2 months and counting.
Cheers, Kevin

Hi Bruce and Kevin,
Slightly OT I know but;

I think that is where the problem may lay Kevin, you have a Queensland Pension, Yep I know it is a federal pension, but check your card, mine clearly states New South Wales on one side and on the other "Australian Government."

I am not sure you are entitled to a NSW Parks Pass living in Qld. just as I believe we are in NSW not entitled to a QLD one or any other state for that matter.

Stupid I know as we should be entitled to a whole of Australia parks Pass. But that is bureaucracy for you.

It should be that you get a pass from your home state and that has effect in every state.
But that would save on administration costs and we can't have that.
Saving public money ?, what a ridiculous thought.

If I am incorrect in this belief please let me know as we never know which state we are likely to end up in when on holidays sometimes.

Cheers, Bruce

Interesting point Bruce. The NPWS website doesn't specifically mention NSW concession card holders, so by implication application is open to folk from other states.

A few years ago there was a move to have concession cards acceptable in all states/territories - I wonder what happened to that idea?

Hopefully Kevin's application has just got caught up in a holiday backlog.

Cheers,

Val.

Hi Val,
As I was telling Kev in an MM there are many other concessions that NSW Concession Card holders get such as discounted rail travel, 4 free rail journeys per year to anywhere in NSW from anywhere in NSW and free registration, on per card holder so I would think that this particular concession may only be NSW related.

It is a pity because all you should have to do as an aged pensioner is show your pension card and that should be good enough for any State Govt. Department throughout the country.

You are right, there is nothing specific on the website indicating it is available to NSW residents only.

I have advised Kevin that I have emailed the NSW NPWS re this and I am awaiting a reply to clarify it.

We'll see what happens. I will keep you informed.

Cheers, Bruce.

Well, at least I now know that I didn't miss a NSW only warning on the web site. Since this morning I have a confirmation of a Queensland resident who has has a pass issued from NSW NPs.

I am standing by for a reply to Bruce C from them but will follow them up myself. Perhaps sending the application by "snail mail" was my mistake.

Cheers, Kevin

Kevin, that is good to know that someone has received a pass from outside NSW.

That suggestion re snail mail may be your answer.

I was astonished that it was only 3 days from sending the application via email and getting the new pass in the snail mail.

Mind you it was just pre Xmas and it was also a renewal. These two significant points may be the reason for a speedy return also.

Although your application is getting on toward 3 months so there is plenty of time in there fore it to be returned many times over.

Interestingly, we tried to apply for a pass for the wife also and we got no response from them on that score. There may be times when the boss is traveling without me in the car and she is entitled also so it has me baffled.

Try sending via the method I described Kevin. See how you go.

Cheers, Bruce.

Hi Kevin, Bruce and Val,

He is the definitive answer from the NSW NPWS team.

Dear Bruce,

You can apply for a NSW National Parks Exemption Card with any Pension Concession Card from another state.

unfortunately this will only cover you for NSW National Parks, you may have to contact each state to find out other wise as its varies with park entrance fees.

Kind regards

Brittany P.


Customer Experience Team, National Parks Contact Centre

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Cheers, Bruce.