to all victorians [& others] need help

So if i drive from Licola to Mt Skene and then towards Jamieson when i get to the gate do i drive arround it , over it or turn back towards Licola!!!!.

Bureaucratic morons at work again.

Cheers

This has been going on for more than 30 years (I kid you not). Back in the old days we drove around the road sign and totally ignored it because we loved snow camping back then.

We pulled a lot of people out of the snow, but at least there was somebody up top to help them out.

The answer now seems to be ‘ban everything’. What a pathetic situation we find ourselves in.

Regards

Kim

Hi Putrol

Their have been a couple of threads about this so far , but we need more people to call up.

They take complaints directly on that number and they go to a database , as explained to me by Kim a lovely sounding lady who seemed upset as well.

So when you call , please be nice and they will log your protest.

There's seems to be a number of ill-thought out policy actions lately , from trying to let a minority group dicate wether you can walk on Ayers rock , to this silly suspension thing in NSW.

However I would ask that you go one step further.

Our little golden rule is that you must always make it genuinely revenue negative for each of these parties and its not hard to do.

The Mt Skene thing is easy , just go the other way , and stay at a motel in gippsland and spend some money there.

I can reccomend the comfort inn and RSL in Morwell as good value.

"We pulled a lot of people out of the snow" K&DD

- give the shire a solution to that and you might succeed.

If the road is their responsibility they have a duty of care to its users and that would include determining whether its reasonably passable during winter.

Clearly it's not acc to K&DD.

Has the Shire actually errected a gate yet? (Anyone seen it?) I was under the impression there was only a sign up at the moment. The closure is not to the top of the hill as suggested but to the Shire Boundry about 10km further on. The wellington Shire have not closed their part of the road as it's generally below the snow line & people don't normally get stuck that far down.
4 wheel drive Vicoria have had a meeting with the Shire & while they haven't yet reversed the decision they have negotiated access in the near future for 4x4 clubs. Not an ideal situation but better than nothing.
The Skene Rd will be added to the hundreds of Management Vehicle Only tracks (MVO's) that they have recently organized access to. This is the letter from the Association explaining the current situation.

"As you will be aware the Mansfield Shire Council gazetted the Jamieson Licola Road closed last month for the winter period. This was a significant change to previous years and made it illegal to travel on the road at all during this period.
Your Association approached Council about their lack of consultation, and a special meeting was held yesterday (Wednesday 29th July 2009) between FWDV and the Council.. At that meeting a wide range of issues were discussed and general agreement was reached that a process will be recommended to Council to be approved based on our Parks Victoria MVO Track Access Policy allowing Four Wheel Drive Victoria Club Members access to the road during the gazetted closed period.
This email is to advise you that the road is still closed at this time. There is no gate, but it is a breach of the law to drive on the road and members are advised to respect the law as is our normal policy.
Your Association will immediately be making a written submission for our members to be able to apply for access based on the Association‘s MVO track access process. Council Officers and Police were supportive of this approach and the application will be received and actioned as a priority.
It is a pity that we were unable to deal with this issue before Council made its decision but Council Officers and Police are to be thanked for listening to us and supporting our members and our recreation thus far. Further advice will be provided as a priority action for the Association."

Cheers Craig.............

A letter from 4wd Vic came out the other week

From: Michael Coldham []
Sent: Wednesday, 15 July 2009 5:07 PM
Subject: FW: Mt Skene Road
Dear all

I have just spoken to the Mansfield Mayor Sandie Jeffcoat a good friend who confirms that council has closed Mt Skene Road.

I think an active plan demo would be a good thing to do

Michael Coldham
President
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VICTORIA



Michael Coldham
Sent: Wednesday, 15 July 2009 5:03 PM
Subject: Mt Skene Road

Sandie (mayor I think of Mansfield)

I have just been told by my Regional representative that your Council has a recommendation to close the Mt Skene Road. I confirm my call to you just now that it is closed. Bugger!

I understand that the Wellington Shire manage the southern section and yours the northern. I am also informed that Wellington do not have the same proposal.

The road in winter is a major tourist attraction to your town because of the four wheel drivers that use the road and the surrounds. Staying at Jamieson and Mansfield for the day trips into the snow road.

It is a special section of road that warrants special consideration having regard to its four wheel drive tourist destination.

Can you please have your officers provide my Association with a report on the current proposal and allow us the opportunity to be heard on the subject matter.

You will know that Mansfield benefits significantly for the four wheel drive market I am quite sure they would be very upset and active in the event the road was closed in winter.

I look forward to hearing from you
Kind regards

Michael Coldham
President
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VICTORIA