Keep CREB track OPEN

THanks David,
I have sent off an email, trusting it helps. Wombat showed that if we have numbers we have a chance of being heard, so I hope others aslo send of submissions.
Regards
Joe

I a;so have sent email to president of ANFWDC, hope it helps

I Lived in Carins back in 1983-4 and did the CREB track a coulpe of times once from N-S in the rain (3 Days of it) had to use chains on the rear.
Ran into a man who lived at Pole 98 CREB TRACK (that was he's address) and he reasored us and that if we did not make it he was coming to Cairns the next day and has a International Scout with duel rears and duel chains and would pull as through.
Does he still live there or does anyone still live on the track, how do they travel the track?
It is a very much a 4WD icon and I will put some thing together and e-mail it off,
I may even have some old photos and will be able to send as well.
Good luck

Regards
Richard Kovac

Guys I suspect that closure of this track has been coming for some time. I doubt that it is a gazetted road as most of it is through private property - on the Daintree end is owned by the Reynolds family who have been pretty decent over the years is allowing access to all and sundry. The northern end I think is under the control of the Wujal Wujal community. The track was originally put through back in the mid to late 1960s by the then Cairns Regional Electricity Board (hence CREB Track) to put power through to Cooktown. I was an apprentice electrician in those days at the CREB's Mossman office and from my recollection (and I could be wrong) there was some tough negotiations to gain a right of way for the power lines. I hear that the power grid has now been rerouted from Mt Molloy via Lakeland Downs and the track is no longer required for maintenance of the power lines.
It will be a pity if it has to close though as there is some spectacular scenery through here. At the least I hope that we can still access Roaring Meg Falls - albeit I suspect that will be via the Wujal Wujal ranger and for a fee.
I would be very interested if some of the locals from up Mossman/Daintree way could give an update because I'm sure it would be the talk of the town if the track has been closed.
Cheers
Pete

Found this on the net...


The CREB Track (Cairns Regional Electricity Board) leads from the Daintree River to Roaring Meg Falls and the Bloomfield River in far north Queensland. It is the route for the FNQEB to service power-lines to Cooktown. Many travellers do not realise that the first part of the track (driving north) passes through private property (CREB Track farm lot 181, 267 Upper Daintree Rd.). Up to 1997 the then owner, Lisa Goodsell, managed the use of the track.

A fee used to be charged because in past years Lisa had to arrange several rescues for stranded travellers who were ill prepared. Also fences have been cut, gates stolen, and cattle and horses have been left to wander north and across the Daintree because of gates being left open by the public. Cattle and employees have the right of way on private land.

This track should not be travelled in the wet season or at any time after heavy rain. It is advisable to phone locals first before setting off. The Daintree River can rise very quickly and travellers who need assistance should realise that locals who render assistance would appreciate some kind of remuneration. At one instance Lisa had to organise rescue helicopters and was left paying the bill of $1500! Note that no responsibility is taken for those using the CREB track.

7/97: Access regulations to the CREB Track, north of the Daintree River, have changed since Mr. Keith Reynolds has bought the property through with the CREB track passes. Travellers are requested to contact Mr Reynolds on 070-986-159 to inform him of your plans. No fees are charged at the moment. You are requested to leave the gates as found as cattle is using the property. The main gate on the Track is at the moment unlocked but as soon as some one does the wrong thing this might change. All travellers are urged to do the right thing and not spoil it for each other!

- Truus Biddlecombe, QAFWDC

Yep I put my e'mail thru - believe possibly that it could be related to cultural issues. Why you might ask - when I went there you had to get permission from the Forestry / National Parks etc and as part of that this included the Aboriginal community section in the north. Whilst we did this and it rained and we had to turn around due to the slippery conditions. We met other travellers that did the trip and did not get the permit. Problems I see can arrive especially in the cultural side of things - if there is a death in the community - access then thru this area would be very disrespectful. Maybe this issue of access has arisen because of this. Rain is another big issue as the people I met got into big trouble and got stuck and had to be pulled out. Maybe controlled access is the way to go, so that the safety of visitors, cultural issues , environmental issues can be addressed. Maintain access though let it be controlled.

Have a look at http://www.dirtbikescairns.info/crebnews/crebnews.htm