NSW - Bridle track closed (Hill End to Bathurst)

Submitted: Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 17:41
ThreadID: 81670 Views:17349 Replies:5 FollowUps:10
This Thread has been Archived
4WD NSW & ACT has been notified today that the Bridle Track has been closed by a landslide.

This iconic trail looks like it will be closed for quite some time, if you have an opinion on this, you can either write, phone or email Bathhurst Regional Council at:

Bathurst Regional Council
158 Russell Street or PMB 17
Bathurst
NSW
2795
Australia

council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au
+61-2-6333-6111
+61-2-6331-7211
http://www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au

Thanks for the email Simmo.
Image Could Not Be Found

______________________________________________________
Subject: Bridle Track
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 07:51:53 +1000
Secretary
NSW ACT 4WD Association

Hi Roger

I am a member of the Canobolas 4WD Club, and also a 4WD Tour Operator up here in the Bathurst/Orange region.

The Bridle Track has been closed at Monaghan's Bluff since the 2nd of August 2010 when there was a large rockslide due to heavy rains (see attached pic). I happened to be out the Bridle Track on the day of the slide, as were members of the Blue Mountains 4WD Club.

I have been ringing the engineering section of Bathurst Regional Council on a regular basis since August and all they keep saying is that it is "Closed indefinitely" due to "general instability" of the Bridle Track at Monaghans Bluff. I get the distinct impression they are not in a hurry to re-open the track fully.

I have been frustrated with the apparent lack of urgency by Bathurst Council, and I spoke to journalist Brian Wood of Bathurst's "Western Advocate" on Monday, and a story should be published in the Western Advocate in the near future. I will forward the Association a copy of any story published, and keep you informed of any developments.

As you would know, the Bridle Track was recently listed in the Top 20 4WD Tracks in Australia, according to 4WD Action magazine, and it is shame the Bathurst Council do not seem in a terrible hurry to re-open it fully. I am hoping some continued pressure from local 4WD Clubs and the 4WD Association may help our cause.

regards

Greg Simpson "Simmo"
Simmo's Offroad Tours
Winery Tours - Scenic 4WD Tours - Camping Adventures
Orange NSW
www.simmosoffroadtours.com
greg.simpson@simmosoffroadtours.com
0415 641 343
_______________________________________________
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Reply By: Wilko - Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 17:49

Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 17:49
Thanks Tony have already emailled Bathurst council.

Cheers Wilko
AnswerID: 431926

Reply By: Axle - Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 20:44

Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 20:44
Its no good criticising Council!!, What you have to realize is whats involved in a job like that.


1; ...Heavy earthmoving eqipment is required ,a long way to get it in.

2... If its all unstable higher up, big risks in having vibration lower down.

3..that whole rock face will need to be assesed by a geotech company.

4..Theres no way anyone is just going to march in there and clear it away because of the crys of 4wd owners.

Imagine driving along there and have that lot come down on you!!!.

It will be a costly exercise, but it has to be done right, Its a great drive along that track but lets give council a fair go for a while.


Cheers Axle.
AnswerID: 431936

Follow Up By: OzTroopy - Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 22:09

Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 22:09
Oh I'm sure they will be dragging their butts Axle ....


And no wonder with the amount of testing and work to get that patch of track safely open again.

Wouldn't surprise me if they put it in the too hard basket .... for a long time.
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FollowupID: 702746

Follow Up By: Member - Tony V (NSW) - Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 12:02

Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 12:02
Axel,

My post was advisory.

I don't believe that anyone Greg inclusded is critising the Council, its just that some people have a different priority.

I can see that a tour operator, that is someone who is bringing in revenue to the area is concerned about being able to use this trail. I am sure if Bathurst Council gave an estimated fix or even start time, he would be able to work around the dates.

Which is why I suggested that if anyone has an opinion that they should contact Bathurst Council.
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FollowupID: 702775

Reply By: Madfisher - Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 21:15

Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 21:15
I am amazed they call it a 4wd track,locals all use to access the fishing spots with 2wd holdens in the 70s. I use to use my hr holden to access the forge and randwick hole.
Cheers Pete
AnswerID: 431939

Follow Up By: Axle - Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 21:22

Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 21:22
Your forgetting Pete,! Those old tugs were as good as the modern 4wd!....:))))))).


Cheers Axle.


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FollowupID: 702740

Follow Up By: Madfisher - Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 21:53

Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 21:53
They where Axle, I was always going to put a lsd and 4 speed from a 1 tonner (low 1st) in the old girl, but never got arround to it then brought an SLR and it was so low I had to buy a 4wd as well lol.
Cheers Pete
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FollowupID: 702743

Follow Up By: OzTroopy - Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 22:06

Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 22:06
It was quite traversable in a gemini a week before easter ...

I think the big rock in the middle of the track now .... might be a 2wd sump buster tho ... LOL
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FollowupID: 702745

Follow Up By: Madfisher - Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 22:57

Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 22:57
Actually it looks like slate, if I was still in the slate business I would remove it for free.lol
Cheers Pete
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FollowupID: 702750

Follow Up By: Member - Tony V (NSW) - Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 12:04

Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 12:04
Madfisher,

you will notice that the email mentions the magazine that has noted it as a 4WD track. lol.
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FollowupID: 702776

Follow Up By: Madfisher - Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 14:02

Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 14:02
A few years ago My sister in law was up from Sydney and wanted to go for a drive to hill end in their Falcon. I said to you want to go the boring way or the scenic way, of course they replied the scenic way. After warning them to keep well left on crests they dfollowed us out. We stopped at roothog and the sil was white as a sheet and was not talking to me. I think the bluff did it lol. Mine you to me it was nothing even in a falcon, but if you reversed the situation and put me in the middle of sydney at peak hour I would feel the same.
Cheers Pete
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FollowupID: 702784

Follow Up By: mike39 - Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 16:05

Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 16:05
Like others (when I lived in Bathurst) I used that road quite frequently, both travelling up to Hill End and fishing in the river.
However, I believe that the road is gazetted, and as such BCC has an obligation to reopen asap.
Under some circumstances it would be a necessary escape road for bush fire situations plus an ingress for other occassions.
BCC has never been one to rush into any road repair jobs (unless you are on the council), their history goes well back into the '70's from my perspective and experience.
mike
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FollowupID: 702790

Reply By: steve21 - Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 09:34

Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 09:34
lets get a working bee organised few picks and shovels!
AnswerID: 431958

Follow Up By: Member - Tony V (NSW) - Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 12:06

Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 12:06
Steve

Thats the way it would have been done before OH&S took over and how the track was originally built... ;)
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FollowupID: 702778

Reply By: Barry01 - Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 14:24

Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 14:24
;was there a few weeks back some of the rock slide has gone down into the valley and where the4wd is stopped it would not be there now as about half of the width of the track has also now gone down into the valley ;its now not just clearing the rock away but a major reconstruction job ;hope somebody can get some new photos onbarry
AnswerID: 431975

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