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NPWS Camera's about
I have seen a few signs around Garigal & Bantry Bay stating "cameras in use". I thought they might be a scare tactic but I actually stumbled on a camera today at Cascades on the main track. They are green camouflaged boxes. So beware if you are venturing into a closed off section (which you shouldn’t be doing anyway).
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We should all welcome this move, hopefully it will clean out the MX riders from where they wreak havoc.
I'd also like to see these used to gather statistics on who actually uses the trails and hopefully back up the case for MTB riders as the number one user group in various areas.
.....but how does all this work in practice?
"We have video footage of a male with a Camelbak, helmet, sunglasses, and lycra clothing riding a Giant Trance" does not sound like much to go by.
I would assume it is just for the registered trail bike riders.
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/media/DecMedia...
to play it safe, it's probably best to extinguish your cigarettes in the car park [*joke*]
You see it will make it easy for the NPWS to pass on the details of illegal moto riders to the police. So they can pretend to give a flying $%#@
Apologies for my lack of "Wow factor" the few times I have called the police re this they couldn't have been less interested. In saying this I too have a massive respect for the police as my old man was one for his entire working life....
The resources and or the level of importance re this issue just isn't there...
@Chitts... there's a funny story about that, one that we should all learn from:
Some years ago, similar stuff was happening in RNP. You recall now that there is single track there, and the local rangers are organising trail maintenance days and everything is good. It wasn't always this way though. As legend has it, a long time ago before the latest round of co-operation started there was some tension. One of the rangers saw a rider on a bike somewhere the rider wasn't supposed to be. Now, despite not actually catching or speaking to the rider, the ranger knew this bike and therefore the rider - or rather they thought they did and therefore took the appropriate action (I assume a fine or something similar). Problem for the ranger was the alleged rider wasn't out that day and the specific bike and brand was very popular at the time. As you can imagine this started all sorts of trouble.
So as I started out by saying - one would hope we can all learn from this story.
They use them in the watagans up here as well, I think as much as they can be used to identify moto's, they do to an extent act as a bit of a deterrent to lesson the numbers of people doing the wrong thing.
....with even half a brain would just cover his numberplate with a plastic bag or similar if he saw there were camera's about? Hmmmmm.... not sure that the expense of installing the cameras makes too much sense from a financial perspective.
you would think anyone with half a brain would do that, but experience says otherwise.
One muddy day a few years back I was out with the NPWS in Glenrock mapping the trails. We heard the tell tale signs of a moto coming along so the NPWS got a camera out. Now the rider could have easily lent back and covered the plate with his hand as he rode past, but no he thought it was better to turn and flip the bird for the camera.
I know a guy who received a fine for riding an illegal trail in the Royal because the ranger (thankfully now moved on) "recognised his yellow bike". Never mind the fact that he was sitting in an office at the time and that yellow konas were as common as white station wagons.....
It would be great, with all the work going on with the relevant authorities, that we could actually get some real reliable and trustworthy information out of the relationships now formed. There is obviously a reason the cameras are installed, I am not sure why the secrecy unless its more a scare campaign but it then does seem a little excessive and expensive. Surely communication through these channels would assist with meeting the aims or at least fostering a cooperative relationship?
Rob?
If you want to know what the cameras are about, just pick up the phone and call the rangers and ask them.
That there are plenty of other users there yes? It won't just be directed at bike riders...there are regular running groups in cascades a couple of times a week, as well as horse riders who are also legal and. Dog walkers who aren't so legal. I agree with chitts, how can they 'catch' an unregistered
trail bike? I also agree with simply asking them what they are for. I will be sure to wave to it on my way to work though!
I asked the nice ranger today at West Head pay station....she said that the various camera signs were put up to deter break-ins and vandalism at parked cars etc.
"They had a recent spate of break-ins and vandalism at NP offices, parked cars and other facilities."
She smiled and said "oh no... nothing to do with MTB'ers".
Hmmm yeah I always park my car in Cascades.
Rob, thanks for the help. I called with little luck naturally, same every time.
Is there something that prevents the information being made public?
Should we all be calling or leaving it to the panels in place?
in the Perimeter Trail at Terrey Hills - my sister saw them when she was horse riding
the story about theft etc is pure crap - neither Belrose nor Terrey Hills are known for car break ins! it's laughable!
I have a feeling they're for illegal rubbish dumping. There's been heaps in Bantry Bay recently - just in from the dead end. I remember a news story on these cameras a while ago. They intalled them at dumping hotspots out west.
perimeter and belrose don't have that problem! The horse riders think its to see who and how many different groups are using the trails - then, supposing there aren't many horses along there they can close it to horse riders - sounds silly but we have been fighting for YEARS to save those tracks for the horses..
wonder if the cameras work at night as well?