Get this... while we struggle with a little trail access, seems there is a real chance that a bill being introduced in NSW parliament next week may actually be passed and allow recreational hunting of native animals in National Parks! Are they for real!?

I wonder if hunters actually know that getting access to National Parks is pointless because they can't actually go anywhere within them! Oh, sorry to make a joke, but it's ironic don't you think?

Read about this and how you could help here: http://www.npansw.org.au/web/conservation/hunting_in_nps/hunting.htm

Oppose the Game Council Amendment Bill 2009

URGENT!

In the next week (between Tue 23 and Thu 25 June 2009) the NSW Government is set to pass legislation that will:

• allow recreational hunting in national parks
• allow recreational hunting of native animals
• establish private game reserves
• undermine of feral animal control efforts across NSW.

Sadly even though this sounds unbelievable, it's actually true.

Update: The more you read about this the more disgusting it is, I'm amazed it's not been in the mainstream media. Couple stories here:

http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2009/06/19/government-should-shoot-...
http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-national/nsw-govt-looks-f...
http://www.naroomanewsonline.com.au/news/local/news/general/coastwatcher...

From the Rangers: MtBikeTrail Info

Please be advised that from Monday 15 June maintenance work will begin on sections of the Manly Dam mountain bike trail. Sections of the trail where work will occur include around Wakehurst Pkwy, Manning Road and Wandella Road. The purpose of these works is to maintain and improve access and sustainability of the trail by addressing areas of erosion and sediment movement. The work is expected to be complete in three weeks.

I'm thinking of upgrading the PM module to a newer (and naturally better) version. It changes the way things work to more of a 'chat' model than being similar to email as now.

Trouble is that as this is completely different model there is no upgrade path and will have to clear (delete) all messages in the system.

I notice there's 137 unread messages lying around but over 14,000 in total. NB: privacy advocates can chill out: 'select newmsg, count(*) from privatemsg group by newmsg;' doesn't exactly tell you anything but counts

Any objections? I would archive the old table of course and be able to pull out anyone's mailbox and email it to them on request.

It seems that someone down in Canberra has come up with a plan to redevelop Majura Parkway and turn from standard 2 lane road into 4 lane (+ shoulders) dual carriageway. Red line on the image here shows where they plan to put the road and the thinner orange line shows where it is now.

Note that the proposed road goes straight through the vineyard and some of the most established and iconic tracks in Majura Pines such as Intestinal Track, Pooklestein, Damn Track, BMX Berms.

While Majura is a working forest and we know one day it will be cleared (in stages, sustainably one would hope) building this road in the proposed location makes no sense. Sure, there are sharp corners to remove further South, but why can't they leave the existing route around the forest and vineyard? It's not like it has any sharp turns or hills there and can easily and safely be driven at the speed limit?

Can't find the submission address right now but will post it up when I do.

You can post your comments to app.sec@act.gov.au. I assume just about anyone here would think cutting Majura Pines up like this is a rather bad idea?!

Manly MP Mike Baird brought up the issue of trail access in state Parliament yesterday. This is very good for trail advocacy work and I'd like to publicly thank him for taking an interest in our sport and plight.

Below is the transcript of what was said, taken from http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/hanstrans.nsf/V3ByKey/LA2...

This is also available on the member's website here: http://www.mikebaird.com.au/interactive/speeches/access_for_mountain_bik...

There is a press release here with a comments form to complete if you'd like to show Mr Baird your gratitude directly on his site too. All too often people moan at the bad and don't congratulate the good so it's very worthwhile showing support for this action:

http://www.mikebaird.com.au/interactive/news/access_for_mountain_bikes.h...

Here's hoping something good can come of this.

As we've discussed, this really shouldn't need saying. But for those who can't make their own mind up here it is from the rangers:

The mountain bike trail at Manly Dam is CLOSED due to the recent rain and wet track conditions. The track is completely waterlogged and runoff from the catchment is further adding to the problem. We'll send out a note when we've reopened, but please be aware that it most likely that the trail will be closed until next week.

Please spread the word to others.

Anyone wishing to be added to the mailing list can email us at: mtbiketrailinfo@warringah.nsw.gov.au

Thanks again for your cooperation.

Manly Dam Rangers