More tracks closed

[Bear]

Just received this bulletin from NSW National Parks.

BARRINGTON TOPS
Barrington Trail, which provides 4WD access into Barrington Tops National Park, has been closed for the winter as of today, Monday 25th May 2009. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Hunter Region Manager, Robert Quirk said the trail will be closed from the 25th May 2009 and reopened again, weather permitting, on the 30th September 2009.

MYALL LAKES
High seas cause temporary closure of Myall Lakes beaches for vehicles
A temporary closure of beaches has been issued for the Mungo Brush area in Myall Lakes National Park, north of Port Stephens, due to the combination of high tides, strong winds and large waves from the recent heavy weather. National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Hunter Region Manager Robert Quirk said high tides and large waves have caused severe erosion in places along the Myall Lakes National Park coast. “Wave action has eroded away the beach and foredunes, leaving steep ledges and areas of very soft sand,’’ Mr Quirk said. Mungo Beach has been closed to recreational 4wd access (25/5/09) due to the complete removal of the beach and subsequent unsafe conditions. “The beach is inaccessible and unsafe for vehicle access between the Mungo 4WD beach access track, northwards to the Big Gibber, until the tides naturally replenish sand onto the beach”. Closures will be affected at the Mungo 4WD beach access track by closure of bar gates with temporary signage. “Lemon Tree 4WD beach access track is currently open for vehicles to drive to Dark Point but people should take care when driving on the beach, especially at high tide,’’ he said. “People are reminded that driving on the dunes or any vegetated area on the beaches in the park is not permitted.’’ “NPWS officers will continue to monitor the conditions closely and will re-open Mungo Beach to 4WDs once the conditions improve through natural sand replenishment’’ Mr Quirk said. For further information people should contact the Great Lakes Area Office in Booti Booti National Park. Telephone 02 6591 0300

[Steve F]

The track at Barrington tops get closed every winter when they think snow is on its way. They'll be a few more winter track closures shortly, but at least they re open in Spring :)

Cheers
Steve

[casey]

This is good, this is how track management should be done, with seasonal opening and closings to maintain a tracks condition. Not the just closing and locking forever.

I'm looking forward to trying out Barrington Trail when it reopens in September :)

Has anyone heard if the NSW 4wd assoc is going to be classifying our tracks, like they are in Victoria -

http://www.fwdvictoria.org.au/upload/track%20classification/classification.htm

They are doing it so that the fun and challenging tracks are not closed down, and instead remain open with a classification applied to them which will give track users an idea of what lies on the road ahead.

[Heidi]

The association is trying to get the same classifications as Vic. The ACT have agreed to trial the track grading system, which is a start

[glend]

Heidi, is there any info on when (or if) Limeburners and Banshea will re-open in Blue Mtns National Park?

[Heidi]

Banshea will never open it is on private property and due to damage to tracks the owners stopped access. They do allow you to travel down the lookout to the falls but you need to return the same way. You can also camp on their property at Dingo Dell for a small fee, details on access are on the association website. Komong fire trail is still open

Limeburners is undergoing rehabitation and it is supposed to re-open. The association is meeting with national parks on a regular basis specifically for access to remain open to limeburners. There will probably be some working bee's in the area to help with some of the work that needs to be done there

[Heidi]

Not sure of the impact of this one yet >:(

Yengo NP to become a Wilderness Area
The Premier announced today the declaration of
Yengo National Park as a Wilderness Area.
The announcement has come out of nowhere, the
consultation period for this was ended in
February, 2002, over 7 years ago.
There is a fact sheet available on the NPWS
website but be aware it is old and may not
reflect what has actually been declared.
We are still waiting to see the details of the
declaration.
The link to the fact sheet is
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/parks/YengoF
actSheet.pdf
I will be interviewed on ABC radio on David
Glover's Drive Time at approx.
5.15pm this evening.
We will keep you informed as facts emerge.
Greg Redfern, President

[Steve F]

Not sure of the impact of this one yet >:(

Yengo NP to become a Wilderness Area
The Premier announced today the declaration of
Yengo National Park as a Wilderness Area.
The announcement has come out of nowhere, the
consultation period for this was ended in
February, 2002, over 7 years ago.
There is a fact sheet available on the NPWS
website but be aware it is old and may not
reflect what has actually been declared.
We are still waiting to see the details of the
declaration.
The link to the fact sheet is
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/parks/YengoF
actSheet.pdf
I will be interviewed on ABC radio on David
Glover's Drive Time at approx.
5.15pm this evening.
We will keep you informed as facts emerge.
Greg Redfern, President



Also saw that in the Daily Telegraph today but it went into no detail at all just that it had been announced. According to the fact sheet only dead end tracks are being shut but I do wonder where they decide the dead end track starts. Anyway, something to keep an eye on.

Cheers
Steve