Access


jeremya's picture

By jeremya - Posted on 18 June 2009

I just obtained copies of maps put out by the NPWS which apparently are the final word on MTB access. Most of the popular trails are there as MTB legal with a few notable exceptions :

1 The section of Sandy Trail West of the the Cooyong/ Neverfail is classed as a walking trail . This is disappointing as it means the 20klm loop around Duffy's Forest is no longer possible.
2 The Cullamine Trail is walking only
3 The only egress from the top of the Quarry Track is shown as direct to Mona Vale Road through the tip
4 Cowan track is walkers only
I will scan these and try and post them ASAP

Rob's picture

Hi Jeremya,

Please don't scan and post these as they are probably copyright. Are there any on the NPWS side you can just link to?

For what it's worth, I first wrote to NPWS some time ago (at least 2 years) and pointed out that many of their maps were incorrect. I received a reply saying that they knew and would update them when possible.

Do you see print dates on those you have there? They might just be out of date.

jeremya's picture

They are dated Dec 2008 and are not referenced in any way on the DECC web site . You just have to know of there existence ance ask for them

Rob's picture

Not!

I have mailed the local rangers and suggested they might like to get these maps published online. It might help to avoid conflict if people know where they aren't meant to go.

Have also requested a hardcopy.

Will let you know what they say.

muvro's picture

These would be great to have!

Mabe ask NP's if we can put them up on here. It can only be a good thing for them.

I certainly can't afford a fine for getting caught on the wrong trail.

muvro's picture

double post...

christine's picture

has explained to us HOW they fine us...

muvro's picture

Yeah, true that.

If you have no proof of ID on you? Can't really do much.

hawkeye's picture

I'm told (by Rob IIRC?) that they have the power of arrest. So that may not be quite true.

christine's picture

that would be hilarious... citizens arrests all over the joint...
when we found that dead man in Oxford Falls the police had no idea where we were - we had to go out and show them in. To my limited knowledge it's police who can arrest us... mind you, I am sure we can ride away from them if we wanted to... Years ago they tried to impliment a horse riders permit, but they couldn't check it... when people saw the rangers they rode off...fast!

Rob's picture

The Wildlife Act[1] says:

156B Powers of authorised officers
(1) The Director-General may appoint any person (including a class of persons) to be an authorised officer for the purposes of national parks legislation. Such an appointment is to be made under Chapter 7 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (the POEO Act) as applied under this section.
(2) An authorised officer has and may exercise the functions of an authorised officer under Chapter 7 (except Part 7.6) of the POEO Act for the following purposes:
(a) for determining whether there has been compliance with or a contravention of national parks legislation,
(b) for obtaining information or records for purposes connected with the administration of national parks legislation,
(c) generally for administering national parks legislation.

And this POEO Act[2] says (in section 7.5, which applies to NPWS Rangers as we've seen above):

204 Power of authorised officers to demand name and address
(1) Name and address to be given if offence suspected
An authorised officer may require a person whom the authorised officer suspects on reasonable grounds to have offended or to be offending against this Act or the regulations to state his or her full name and residential address.
(2A) Proof of name and address
An authorised officer may request a person who is required under this section to state his or her full name and residential address to provide proof of the name and address. It is not an offence under section 211 to fail to comply with any such request.
(3) Power of arrest
A person who, being required to do so under this section:
(a) refuses to state his or her name or residential address, or
(b) states a name or residential address that in the opinion of the authorised officer is false, may without any other warrant than this Act be apprehended by the authorised officer and taken before a Magistrate or authorised officer within the meaning of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 to be dealt with according to law.

Ie. They have power to demand ID or arrest if you don't give it.

[1] http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/scanview/infor...
[2] http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/scanview/infor...

muvro's picture

Thanks for clearing that up Rob.

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

Best Mountain Bike