4WD Monthly track destruction

They are a disgrace, They did a High country DVD a few months ago and had 2 dogs on the trip in National parks.

Parks Victoria do more damage by reducing track access and thereby increasing the concentration of cars on those remaining.

This has been done in a time when the number of 4wds has increased dramatically.

The magazines and some of the stories they present are doing nothing to foster and develop a better understanding of our recreational pursuit within the broader community, and with our policy makers. At times they present a red-neck, don’t care attitude; we’ll do as we please and go places with little regard for the consequences or other interest groups. We all pay for that, whether it is via community attitudes towards four-wheel drive vehicles in general, or by increasingly having access restricted in certain areas.

On National Parks and road closures; if you look at the Mission Statements of most of the State Bodies governing National Parks they have a common theme.

Parks Victoria’s mission is ‘To protect and improve Victoria’s parks and waterways for people forever’.

Very broad and possibly open to much interpretation, but the point is nothing in their charter suggests they are required to provide, or maintain, tracks and facilities for recreational four-wheel drive enthusiasts. Unfortunately those who would oppose the Parks catering in this regard, and there are many, will only need to pull out more recent copies of the ‘Four Wheel Drive Mags’ as evidence of why they shouldn’t. And whilst it is reasonable to put forward an argument that four-wheel drive access should be catered for, we are only one of many users of these areas, many of the other user groups would be rid of us tomorrow.

And on insurance, and litigation; unfortunately we live in an era where we have the legal profession, and their ambulance chasing spruiking, at the ready to demonstrate that whoever was responsible for track maintenance did not do a good job at it and therefore open to liability claims when there is an accident. Seemingly, a by-product of a society that no longer wants to take responsibility for its own actions. Track access in many areas has been denied on this basis alone, because the cost of insurance, if it can be obtained is prohibitive, and the risks of not having it far too great – the easiest solution is to close access. This is certainly true of track access through privately owned land.

A bad public image, litigation laws and compensation pay-outs, has cost us dearly in terms of money and access, unfortunately many of the four-wheel drive magazines, in the pursuit of sensationalism, are fanning a smouldering flame that will continue to singe all of us...

I used to ride dirtbikes alot and 4wd the same areas.

The bike tracks we rode for years with no damage, but once the fourbys shifted onto our bike tracks they were literally stuffed in a matter of months to the point where it was a struggle to ride up them..

Thats when i realised how much damage 4wds done to tracks, especially when driven poorly.

Btw our bikes were quiet 4 strokes and registered, not like those lunys on screamin 2 strokes that peed everyone off giving all dirtbikes a bad name!

Seems bogans are everywhere!

Dont know about victoria but in nsw parks are extremly poorly managed money wise,and they blame anything they can to lock a gate and reduce stupid large amounts of money been mismanaged on decisions.
i have seen countless situations were an over priced contractor has been given money to perform a sub standard job,when other avenues where available at much lower prices,and at the same time they require payment to access areas which they dont even manage/patrol and the second they may be hold accountable they find the nearest excuse to save themselves.
As far as parks patrolling/reporting track abuse and hooning ,they dont and never will because it dosent suit them to do so,also they dont have the legal right or fining system in place that holds up in court ,its a state police job and they are under staffed.
The knob heads which usually dont even have a 4wd (usually 2wd with bikes on trailer) cause 90% of the issues i see in the watagans.
The fact is it costs alot of money to mod a car up the way 4wd action makes out,and the kinda people their sponsors need to attract are not the tight bogans that I see trashin tracks every weekend.
Blaming a magazine for very poor management on a gross scale is bs.

I have seen alot of stupid stuff in the dvd's but nothing compares to the stupid stuff ive seen people do which dont even own 4wd's and at the same time watch npws ignore them .

Hi,
reading the repiles and follow ups, a few questions come to mind;
- what is the definition of a red neck, or bogan,
- are they the same thing,
- are they permitted to be a part of this forum,
- where do the tracks come from, are they are a natural phenomenom(?) or were they formed by man's hand?

I have a feeling I might be classed as a red neck, or bogan and want to be sure it's ok.

I read 4wd Action every month and I enjoy many of the articles. A few of the things in videos have made me think but every time they are being led by an extremely experienced local that knows the tracks. It's not a bunch of yahoos landing in an area an going nuts.

I've met a few of the 4wd Action people and they all seem to be decent people that genuinely love their vehicles, getting out in the bush and having fun with their mates.

I have been doing the same thing for over 30 years and will continue to do for as long as I possibly can. There are places I have been going to with my mates and their families for years. We really enjoy the way every year the tracks are different. There are tracks that are basic touring and most vehicles can handle, then there are tracks that decent tyres and another vehicle are are a minimum to make sure you can get home.

My vehicle would be classed as modified but it's no monster truck. OME suspension all around, wheel carriers, some barwork, but it's my everyday work and fun car.

Anyway, the 4wd Action people aren't causing more tracks to be closed, or hooligans wrecking places, in my opinion. I reckon they are helping more families get into enjoying our bushland and seeing Australia. It should be encouraged.

Hoo roo,
eighty matey