From SC Ken Dwight.
26/10/2005
Riders and Drivers
Subject: Riding and Driving at
Woods Point
Greetings,
Further news for Riders and Drivers in the
Woods Point Police Response Zone, Victoria.
Some weeks ago I distributed a letter warning Trail Bike Riders and 4 Wheel Drive enthusiasts of the tree hazards in my area of responsibility. I now have some good news to forward to you all. Thanks to the efforts of Ken WEST and members of the Land Rover Owners Club of Victoria several tracks have now been opened up in the area.
Corn
Hill Track and Road, from
Matlock to Ryan’s
creek Track
Frenchman’s Gap Track
German Spur Track
I believe that they were also going to do Champion Spur Track as
well, Mr.WEST may be able to enlighten any fellow travellers as to the good work that they have done, he can be contacted via their website. There are some interesting photo’s that can be viewed there also.
I would once again like to reiterate that you must be prepared and alert when travelling up here. There are still large numbers of trees that are hung up and could fall at any time.
And now for the obligatory police warning, a couple of weeks ago some riders got into trouble on the Mount
Gregory track to the south west of
Woods Point. A rider was seriously injured on this occasion requiring
ambulance assistance. This is not uncommon in this part of the world however this track is part of the Upper Yarra and Thompson Catchment Area and as such is closed by
Melbourne Water to vehicular traffic at this time of year, usually until the 1st of November I believe. As such the big steel gates are all closed and locked.
The
Woods Point Ambulance was called to assist this injured rider but without keys they could not gain access and had to wait at the
gate whilst one brave female member went in on the back of a trail bike. Luckily for the riders on this occasion police could not attend the scene from
Warburton and I was not advised , however I am told that due to the efforts of his colleagues and our intrepid Ambo the victim was airlifted by chopper to
Melbourne after 1 to 2 hours of waiting.
My point is that it is illegal to drive or ride motor vehicles on these roads and tracks when closed; to my knowledge only
Melbourne Water Security has keys to these gates. People who drive these tracks risk not only their lives but also prosecution as
well as the possibility that TAC will not cover their
Ambulance or hospital beds due to the illegality of their actions.
Up here we will do our best to help any of you as required but all travellers must take responsibility for their own actions and behaviour.
I again wish you all safe riding and driving.
K.J. DWIGHT BM
Senior Constable 26884
Officer in Charge
Woods Point Police Station