Shame, Shame, Shame.

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 17:08
ThreadID: 44604 Views:2764 Replies:7 FollowUps:8
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While on a working bee yesterday up on the Bluff with Parks Victoria I was amazed that seven groups drove/rode around the track closures at 8 Mile Gap despite clear signage and temporary barriers that were in place as a result of the fires. It somewhat undermines the efforts being put in by 4 Wheel Drive Vic & the associated clubs to assist in removing dangerous overhanging trees along the tracks & around the campsites. The excuses when challenged were priceless as they all had somehow forgotten they had opened the barrier. Maybe they just thought the Ranger wouldn't be working on the weekend. Some additional tracks will be opened at the end of this month but the majority won’t be declared safe until the November long weekend. For those contemplating a High Country trip, check the Parks site for an updated list of tracks currently open, then click on the "Access Reopening Strategy" for an idea on future track availability.
Cheers Craig…………….
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Reply By: Gramps (NSW) - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 18:02

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 18:02
And what happened to these idiots Craig ? Nothing I suppose ?
AnswerID: 235136

Follow Up By: Crackles - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 17:11

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 17:11
These misguided individuals were turned around and sent on their way. Unfortunately with temporary closures Parks Rangers are limited in what they can do.
Cheers Craig........
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 17:26

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 17:26
Thanks for the reply Craig. I guess that's about all that could be done in the situation.
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Reply By: True Blue - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 18:10

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 18:10
What about this one. A few years ago the then president of our 4wd club took new members down closed roads near Marysville for a bit of snow sightseeing. The trip was rated as easy. At the end of the day they had to leave I think 3 vehicles onthe track overnight because they could not retrieve them.
By around 11pm the following day we managed to retrieve the last of the 3 vehicles and those new members never (to my knowledge) ever came on another club trip again. And this from our president. Needless to say he wasn't too popular with other members when they found out.

Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately) no Parks Vic rangers discovered the vehicles on the closed tracks and they all lived to tell the story.

True Blue.
AnswerID: 235141

Follow Up By: warfer69 - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 18:31

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 18:31
*Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately) no Parks Vic rangers discovered the vehicles on the closed tracks and they all lived to tell the story*

Hi True Blue

So what CAN happen if your caught doing this and if so is it enforced by PARCS on a regular basis

Cheers
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Follow Up By: True Blue - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 12:03

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 12:03
Hello warfer69. Not too sure if we may have escaped with a warning or whether they would have immediately slapped us with a fine. Someone mentioned $500 per vehicle, and there were 13 vehicles in all. Other than that I'm not sure. But it was by accident.He didn't deliberately go down a closed road. He hadn't checked before the trip and the track wasn't marked in any way as being seasonally closed.

Still it would have been very embarassing if they had been sprung.

Cheers for now, True Blue.

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Follow Up By: Crackles - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 18:17

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 18:17
The Parks officer said that temp closures are difficult to enforce & take to court but with the seasonal & permanent closures (MVO's) they will prosecute particually if damage to a track or camp site can be proven. Prosecutions have been rare from what I have heard as Parks don't want to unnecesarily tie up Rangers in court, but what has happened on several occations is that some seasonaly open tracks were closed permenantly after damage was found, a decision that is often difficult to reverse. I think TB is right with the $500, the fine is actually printed on the closure signs from memory.
Cheers Craig............
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Reply By: ADM - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 12:44

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 12:44
We surveyed tracks around the Maroka area on Saturday for Parks Vic and came across the same problem.

We arrived at the first track and found the closed sign thrown in the bush. When we made our way along this track we came across approx 6 vehicles, all of them were out hunting for dear. We didn't want to say anything or ask if they had removed the sign for we had no authority.

It amazes me why people have to do this when they signs are there for peoples safety.
AnswerID: 235276

Reply By: Robin - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 13:17

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 13:17
Hi ADM

I guess it looks bad but it doesn't necessarily mean that the signs
were moved by those people and this is a weakness in Crackles inital point as well.

If someone was seen removing them for no good reason then they would be
fair game for a ticket.

I been down a track in a similar fashion a meet a ranger at other end.

Bit embrassing when you find out its supposed to be closed and there's
no sign of a sign.

But many signs also get left/forgotten about and we have to begin by presuming innocence !

Robin Miller
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AnswerID: 235289

Follow Up By: Crackles - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 17:56

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 17:56
For the groups that came up to the Bluff from 8 mile there was no doubt they had come through the closure as the Ranger asked them where they had come from. We had only an hour before put the signs & baracade back up after it was torn down by deer hunters the night before. After a little grilling a couple of them even admitted it. The 2 that came through from the Howitt Plains may not have passed any signs (we never went that far) but were BSing so much it was obvious they knew the area was closed.
As for presuming innocence I don't think they take ignorance as an excuse in a court. It's the drivers resposability to make every effort to ensure the tracks they drive on aren't permanently or seasonally closed, hence my link to the Parks site to help people avoid an uncomfortable confrontation with a Ranger.
Have been caught on the wrong side of a track closure myself that was sign posted open November at one end & open in December on the other. (The track crossed over between 2 Park districts :-)
Cheers Craig...............
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Follow Up By: Robin - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 18:34

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 18:34
Hi Craig

Saying now, that they admitted moving signs changes whole scene and makes them eligable for some reprimand, and makes it hard to get fair comment from people reading.

I note that you comment on seasonal/Permanent track closure but its worth to note that its the responsibily authorities duty to ensure that signs are maintained for temporay/ abnormal closures , in fact if they don't they can be held liable if an unsafe situation emerges.

Robin Miller
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Reply By: Mike Harding - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 18:32

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 18:32
Perhaps I'm missing something here? Was the only reason these tracks were closed because of possible falling trees or branches?

Mike Harding
AnswerID: 235358

Follow Up By: Crackles - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 21:13

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 21:13
Mike the tracks closed in the High country following the fires may be closed due to trees blocking the roads, dangerous trees overhanging the tracks that may fall at any time, widow makers hung up in trees, landslides, rock falls, unstable ground, exposed mine shafts or heavy machinery working in the area etc.
The Bluff track we were on was cleared of most of the dangerous trees last weekend & should be open in a couple of weeks.
Although some of the High Country tracks may appear trafficable, many are still unsafe & Parks certainly don't wont to be felling trees or be working their dozers & excavators trying to dodge the public.
Having seen the work done on one just weekend it's a massive repair task & everyone will just need to show a little restraint before getting back to our favorite tracks.
Cheers Craig.................
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Reply By: Robnicko - Tuesday, Apr 24, 2007 at 08:43

Tuesday, Apr 24, 2007 at 08:43
makes you wonder how they read the test for thier licence.

Throw the book at them I say...........

I see it alot when trailbike riding.

Maybe reverse psychology is needed as with children, tell em not to do it and they will.........
AnswerID: 235483

Reply By: Steve from Top End Explorer Tours - Tuesday, Apr 24, 2007 at 10:44

Tuesday, Apr 24, 2007 at 10:44
Hi Guys

The problem is that these people think that there above the law.

The trouble is these people are the reason that we have these laws.

I have the solution put tyre spikes across the track 100 mts past the road closed sign.

Cheers Steve.
AnswerID: 235502

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