National Parks are for everyone

I don't see what population and emigration has to do with the lack of access to national parks.

As the article stated, the area of national parks has increased, since the 70's, far more then our population, so the closures have little to do with population growth.

It's statements like these that loose us the little credibility that the 4WD fraternity has amongst the general population. You may say that you don't care what others think, but as Australia is still a democracy, what the majority think, (or is told to think) is rather important. So, since the national parks belong to "everyone", and the majority of "everyone" wants them closed, then that's what's going to happen.

In reality, it may only be a certain loud minority that create these difficulties for us, but when we go around making statements like the one above, it just gives them the ammunition to perpetuate the myth that every driver of a 4WD is a neanderthal who only cares about themselves and doesn't give a rats about the environment which they visit and enjoy.

R.

Yes unfortunately it's the way it is, and like it or not, it will only get worse and it's because of inconsiderate 4WDrivers, motorcyclest and others that keep going to these places and driving around thinking it's their right to be wherever they want.

Technicly your on someones land (the governments in this case) can i drive around your backyard and you won't complain about it.

Baz.

>>and others that keep going to these places and driving around thinking it's their right to be wherever they want.

Just on that, recently Parks and embers caught someone who had trailered a modded unrego'ed 4wd into an large 'paddock' area, could have been big river area, cant remember the whole gig, and when caught, was doing donuts round and round, they watched and videoed him for 10-15 mins before they dragged him away.

Cant wait to hear more on that.

dear robak, what were national parks & land now controlled by calm & other government agencies originally called? i think it was crown land wasnt it? which from memory you could go onto anytime you wish, & what is the main reason for track closures? would it be too many people using them? as for the neanderthal comment , if thats how you handle your arguments by making it personal , i wouldnt want you representing anything to do with national parks, 4x4 driving or anything for that matter in a debate & by the way i dont use national parks or reserves or parks because theres too many people in them!cheers

Now Now Mr Magpie don't get so offended.

If you read carefully, the ""neanderthal comment" is how some people like to percieve us (all of us).

"it just gives them the ammunition to perpetuate the myth that every driver of a 4WD is a neanderthal"

See, nothing personal against you. Not sure why you thought it was.

As for the reason for track closures; Well that's what this post was about, the "mission statements" of the managing bodies don't even mention anything about national parks being for people. So, they see the public simply as a distraction to their work.

Maybe it's time to get onto your politicians and let them know that the general public do not agree with these "mission statements."

One last thing.
I would guess that the increase of cars in national parks, is due more to the boom in 4WD sales rather then any increase in our population.

R.

Leroy,

I agree with the article. It is far easier for governments to shut down rather then manage.

To tackle this problem we need to use our brains rather then muscle. People like Ron Moon are excellent ambassadors for 4WD as they not only love this great country but also posses the writing skills to explain the situation and don't confuse the issues with hype.

R.

"It is far easier for governments to shut down rather then manage."

. . . or maybe It is far CHEAPER for governments to shut down rather then manage.

I'd say 50/50 mike..

everything these days comes down to $.. EVERYTHING..

pathetic aint it.. no wonder I wanna go back to 1985 and stay there.

Yep 50/50 not enough staff and not enough money, not only that they are being handed land by orginisations like State forest and they don't have the resoarses to look after them, let alone what they have now.

State Forest in NSW is in the same boat, an excample is Belangalo, Wingello, Jenolan and Penrose State Forests are managed by 1 Ranger.

Baz.

When you think about it Baz, makes it easier to point the finger that way, theres only 1 person...

From speaking to him, it gets pointed alot, they are cracking down on unregistered bikes and quads and he's run off his feet.

he should do nothing for a while and give them the message

"There's a reason why international visitors come to Oz, because of our unspoilt NP's. "

Mind you Barnsey, there's no point in them coming if they can't look at them....

Ecology & conservation is always a delicate balance between protection and access. The government (and NP's) seems to have decided that protection is easier (and cheaper) to manage than access.

It is a delicate balance. I wish there was a way that dedicated, responsible 4wders could access all areas unrestricted. Most travellers are happy to simply stay in campgrounds and do only minimal exploring.

The point i was trying to make is: if you have an unspoilt wilderness, you open it up to all, all of a sudden it's not a wilderness anymore. We have to do it properly or not at all (meaning just leave it).