Irresponsible behaviour could cost access

Someone must have an idea of who it was if there were 50-60 cars involved.

Heres the story.

http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/Extensive+4WD+damage+to+campsite+in+Deua+National+Park

We know how you feel. The Deua national park has been on the Government list of parks to put into a wilderness area and these sorts of actions could easily tip the balance. We recently completed a trip into the Victorian High Country and we were disapointed by the actions of some cretins who had purposely creating mud holes to have their childish fun. They seem not to know that the erotion caused spreads so eventually what was 4 metres wide ends up 20m wide and then the track would have to be closed. The other disappointing thing we noticed was the amount of rubbish, mainly beer and soft drink cans beside the track in the lower reaches of the area. On of our group had to rescue a Black snake who had its head caught in a beer can. Not an easy exercise as the snake, whilst groggy, did not appreciate the gesture. We collected all our rubbish and took it to the tip at Dargo halfway through the trip and took the opportunity to have lunch at the old saw mill and fill up with fuel.
Richard and Leonie, The grey nomads.

I was in Bendethra the weekend in question, leading an organised club trip on behalf of my club - the Landrover Club of the ACT. We were 14 vehicles in total and none of our vehicles moved once we set up camp early on Saturday afternoon until we left early on Sunday morning.

A group of about 16 vehicles passed us on the way in and we saw some evidence of damage as we drove to our campsite at the old homestead site - mainly muddy wheel ruts in the grass where people had driven off the track. This group camped up the northern far end of the valley and we really didn't see or hear much of them over the weekend. I spoke to one of them as they passed us and know they were not members of a club - just a bunch of mates out for a good time. I went for a drive towards where they were camped prior to leaving and saw more damage - more ruts and donuts on grassed areas.

During the afternoon and Saturday night we heard a lot of loud explosions to our south, the opposite direction from us that this large group were camped. Some of our members were quite concerned, fearing they were shotgun blasts while others thought they were extremely loud firecrackers. We settled on firecrackers as nobody in our group felt like checking them out - just in case they weren't.

As we headed out of the valley for home we came across another group camp of perhaps 8 very muddy vehicles who were not there when we came in. Across from their camp area was the damaged area that has featured in photos issued by NPWS. We were horrified at the damage caused by whoever was responsible for this act of extreme vandalism. If it was caused by the group camped opposite it is even more distressing to me as there were several young children with that group - I can only wonder at the message they would have been left with.

It seems to me that there were at least two groups in Bendethra that weekend causing mayhem. One of the attractions of the area is that it is so spread out that many large groups could easily camp and not see or hear the others.

We reported the damage to NPWS immediately we could. As we didn't actually see anybody in the act of causing the damage NPWS advised it is highly unlikely that any charges could be laid based on our reports. Hopefully some of the other campers in the valley have better evidence that will lead to those responsible being punished. Photographs of vehicles in the act of causing damage that show the vehicles registration numbers are the best form of evidence apparently.

The Landrover Club of the ACT does not condone this type of irresponsible behaviour and like many other clubs we fully support and adhere to Tread Lightly priciples and guidelines. We have offered to work with NPWS to help restore the area so it can continue to be enjoyed by all responsible visitors. Unfortunately, the acts of the irresponsible are making it increasingly likely that it will become more difficult for us to do so.

Kevin - sitting here, thinking of there
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2002 GU Patrol ST 4.2TD
2000 15' Supreme Getaway

Good to see someone has at least SOME idea of what may have happened down there.

I have NO doubt that NO ACT 4wd club would be involved in that type of activity. Its one of ACT's favourite playgrounds, I destroying it, would sevre us no purpose.

It also does make a fair bit of sense that several different groups may have been involved.

What doesn't make sense is how NO ONE can be identified . . . .yet.

I've got into the habit of writing down fellow campers rego numbers before setting up camp. If anything untoward happens & they dissapear early morning then I have some form of ID to pass on to the Authoritys. Another idea is to photograth or video these hoons in the act if possible, along with the damage they cause, can't beat solid evidence. We all need to stand tough with these morons before all our access priveleges are taken away.

What should happen is that anyone caught cutting up and running amock in this outrageous and irresponsible matter should not only be charged with causing criminal damage, they should also be made to pay restitution. Hit 'em wear it really hurts...in the hip pocket.

I knew of someone years ago who cut up a stretch of road that was under contruction. He thought is was a hoot until he got dobbed in and had to pay about $15,000 worth of damages.

First the buggars have to be caught though and here I have a word of caution. Be careful who you're dealing with. Being caught photgraphing or video taping the culprits in action could create a very uncomfortable situation. A few years back we camped at Lane Pool Reserve and spent a night from hell due to the deplorable behaviour of a nearby group and one individual in particular. We kept a low profile and waited for daylight so we could get the hell out of there. A young couple nearby called out at 2am in the morning for the idiots to be quiet. Subsequently they were hounded, intimidated and abused for hours. At the break of dawn they threw everything into their car and made a run for it. Unobstrusively we noted down the culprits number plates and reported the incident to the ranger. I don't know if anything ever happened though.

:o) MelissaPetrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper

Law Enforcement & the NSW NPWS - for those that don't know most NPWS staff you see in the parks are not law enforcement trained they are field officers (FO's) the one with green shirts that do the general maintenance - the field officers have not been trained for dealing with difficult people and confrontational situations - some FO's may have training but not many. It is only the Rangers that have training in law enforcement and they usually have a cream /off white dress shirt on - the FO's will generally call the Rangers to act if they are in the area.
If members of the public see any thing which should be reported surely take a photograph etc if it is safe to do so and note down all that you can. It is best not to confort them for safety concerns. If you are to report things you have to be basically willing to turn up to court otherwise the information is hearsay info and the rangers cannot act on it. So rid us of these idiots and be ready to turn up for court.Cheers, Beddo
Surf KZN185
<- Yengo NP, Central Coast NSW

Deep breath ..................... similar behavior to this was reported/supported (there were photos !) on another 4WD mag web site a while ago. When I made comments that this was unacceptable behavior and was damaging the environment, I was dumped on by the contributors and the 'Editor'.
I don't visit that site anymore or buy the Mag.Colin - Subaru Forester
- size isn't everything - weight is ! -

I hate this!!!!

We continually see this sort of thing going on - but why is it we (4wd owners) seem in-capable of doing something about it. I'd be the last person to suggest restricting access (to club members only etc) - but like earlier posts - if this is what is needed to maintain access at all - then I guess so be it.

I hope that some of the bleeping bleep bleeps that caused this damage visit this site and see what mindless, green single-cell scum your fellow Australians and 4wd owners view you as!!!

To those mindless twits - may your air-intakes be filled with water, your engines expire and diffs explode at random and regular occaisons for the rest of your painfull presence behind the wheel of a 4wd.

This just made Stateline on the ABC here in Sydney tonight, quoted more or less from the press release...

Nothing about looking for culprits etc, just the usual story positioned to re-inforce a commonly held perception of 4WD'ers as hooligans.

ShameRegds

Bill