“OFF-ROAD VEHICLES
Impact on the Australian Environment
Third Report of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Conservation March 1977″
Gippsland Trail Bike Safety Pilot Project Community Update – October 2019
“The Victorian Government has committed $2.8 million from the Motorcycle Safety Levy to boost safety for trail bike riders in the popular Neerim State Forest.”
Latrobe Trail Bike Visitor Area
“Situated on Latrobe River Road east of Neerim South, Latrobe Trail Bike Visitor Area is central to a large network of forest roads and tracks. The area is ideal for trail bike riding and provides riders with a range of facilities to make riding more enjoyable. It is easily accessed via sealed and gravelled roads from Neerim South.”
Off-road Vehicle and Local Government Paper – Endorsed by State Council 5th Dec 2018
“For decades the use of off-road vehicles (ORV) has raised concerns for Local Governments and their communities. In Western Australia and other jurisdictions in Australia the impacts of ORV use are well documented and centre primarily on community safety, environmental, economic and social impacts. Most recently, the WALGA South East Metropolitan Zone, other peri-urban and regional Local Governments have highlighted their concerns by raising with WALGA a call to action.”
DSE trailbikes options paper
“Trail Bikes – Issues and Challenges
“As outlined in this paper, the current levels of trail bike use are causing environmental damage and significant community conflict with residents and other forest recreationalists. Whilst it is noted that many of the issues are caused by the illegal and inappropriate behaviour of a minority of riders, it is anticipated that the problems will increase in scale with the increasing levels of use driven by increasing motorbike sales and outward growth of the metropolitan fringe.”
2007 Qld Trail bike research
“Trail Bikes – Issues and Challenges
Recently, there has been a general trend for trail bike riding to be regarded as a legitimate pursuit, attracting people from all age groups interested in competitive or recreational riding. Unfortunately, the activity does raise a range of problems for nearby landholders, state and local government, and for the riders themselves. Noise, dust, safety, environmental impact, and finding safe and legal places to ride are among the issues discussed in this Research Brief. While many riders do the right thing, irresponsible riders tend to harm the reputation of all riders in general.”
Ben Bullen SF Update
A recent meeting with the MCC of NSW representative, Local Land Services, Forestry Corp and the Lithgow Environment Group was conducted to work out a way to protect Long Swamp from further damage.
With the loss of the only viable access bridge across the Cox’s River headwaters during the 2020 fires meant 4×4’s and bike riders have been transiting the swamp to reach the southern side. Clearly the damage this is causing to a very historic and endangered swamp area is not ideal so the meeting was an opportunity for us to work out just where in the “plan” us riders fit.
The new bridge is a long-term project so an alternate route has been determined that will provided a much better route for both 4×4’s and bikes and the current crossing near what was once the bridge will be blocked. Currently the suggested site is covered by water to a depth of 20cm but it will be lifted and leveled. This should eliminate any need to go off-trail.
FYI Ben Bullen SF is currently closed so be aware that you should not be riding in there in any case. While this project is rolling out there is expected to be increased ranger and police presences. The entry gate is sign-posted as no entry so please obey them. The risk is a fine around $2000…
ADVICE for our FOREST VISITORS – SWANS CROSSING
Timber harvesting is due to commence in the vicinity of Swans Crossing in Kerewong State Forest.
For visitor safety, Swans Crossing picnic & campgrounds will be closed weekdays (Monday to Friday) commencing Monday July 27th 2020.
Visitors are welcome on weekends but are asked to leave by Sunday evenings.
Harvesting timber is an essential part of forest management, providing #theultimaterenewableresource & allowing for the growth of a new generation of trees, creating a healthy & thriving forest.
We thank everyone for their patience, and will post when Swans Crossing is open on weekdays again here.
#visitnswforests #theultimaterenewableresource #swanscrossing #kerewong
Belanglo Parking – COVID
Due to COVID-19 all vehicles for Trail Bike to parking in safe locations, attached is a map with suggested areas marked blue.
Short walk to the toilet if required. There’s also other options outside the forest.
Happy Valley – ready to ride!
The Happy Valley bridge is complete and ready for use!
From the Centraltablelands Local Land Service office:
“Happy Valley Swamp has suffered for many years as a result of 4WD and trail bikes driving and riding along the powerline track and trying to cross the swamp, creating a lot of damage. Over time this damage has widened as trail bikes (4WD access was blocked by a gate) have had to ride around standing water through the more accessible parts of the swamp. There is a long history of trying to manage vehicle access to the site and we have finally managed to implement what we are hoping is the final piece of work to enable trail bikes to safely cross the swamp and not damage it.
We are hoping over time that as trail bike access is restricted to a single crossing that the damaged sections of swamp can regenerate. Over the coming years we will be working to keep regenerating sections of swamp where access has been restricted. We are hoping to work closely with trail bike groups like Pensioners Express to restore the swamp. The reasoning behind the bridge was to stop the degradation and facilitate regeneration. This is the most important message.
This project is supported by central tablelands local land service and forestry corporation with funding from the Australian government.”
From our perspective as riders, it’s great that a solution was achieved that had the side-benefit of providing trail riders with a way across the swamp. We know it was never done specifically for us, but we’ll take it! 🙂