Glenrock cleanup

[mitchyboy]

I went out to Glenrock on the w/end on the 21st/july and could,nt believe the amount of trees laying over trails.I have a chainsaw and would like to suggest that anyone else who owns one should arrange a w/end with me to clear them.It would also require ppl to help clear the timber once it is cut.Vehicular access to the area would be xlint if anyone could arrange it.

[sammydog]

I'd like to suggest that if you want to continue riding glenrock in the future, then this would be the worst thing you could do.

If you aren't aware, the draft Plan of Management for Glenrock is currently being prepared by the NPWS, so acts such as this (no matter how good your intentions are) will set us back a long way.

While we do not know what the current form of this POM will be, we do know that the local branch of the NPWS have gone out on a limb (sorry the bad pun) and are pushing the envelope of what their own cycling policy allows.

Now would be the worst possible time to show we can not be responsible. Chainsaws will not help us with that.

If you want more info on the current state of play is in glenrock, check out the Glenrock Trail Alliance (http://www.setbb.com/phpbb/portal.php?mforum=glenrocktrailal).

[Refreshinglygood]

It's a national park, so probably best way to go is get in touch with NPWS.

[jaseh]

In short, do not do it.

You could undo a lot of the hard work that has been done by others so we can have continued access to Glenrock.
What you are proposing to do will be a short term gain that will cause long term pain for all.

[Topple's]

I know where your coming from Mitchyboy but i have to agree with the others. Either bide time or contact NPWS and offer your assistance, but please dont just do it.

[Macr]

I reiterate what everyone else has said. We at Glenrock Trail alliance have put so much effort into to this upcoming plan of management, to see it flush down into the shit works. Have a talk to Tiffany at NPWS and see what she says. Your heart is in the right place, but timing couldn't be worse.

[mitchyboy]

OK enough said,i,ll leave the chainsaw in the shed.

[arpit]

Usually the way things work is that where a land manager creates a trail, the responsibility for maintenance lies with them.

Often if a trail is constructed, the managers don't appreciate the users performing maintenance of their own accord. First I'll give an exaggerated example, then a realistic example.

Say, for example, that the F3 freeway left lane is in bad shape (which it is). The RTA probably wouldn't appreciate me taking my asphalt truck down there and trying to patch it up.

A more realistic example - A council built set of dirt jumps - The council probably wouldn't appreciate me building them into big doubles.

If the trails are blocked by trees, contact the NPWS - By Fax AND telephone, or Letter AND telephone.

If any fallen trees present a hazard, rather than an inconvenience to riders, say so. They should be cleared quickly.
If not, mention that if they aren't cleared, riders will ride around them - forming new tracks and destroying vegetation.

If you have council land with fire trails with overgrown trees, it's a different story. Councils work slowly. In that situation it might be worth letting your local RFS or SES unit know. Both like fire fire trails to be clear of debris. In addition, they may want to train newer members in using a chainsaw.

The NPWS tends to do most of their own firefighting.

[sammydog]

Usually the way things work is that where a land manager creates a trail, the responsibility for maintenance lies with them.

Often if a trail is constructed, the managers don't appreciate the users performing maintenance of their own accord. First I'll give an exaggerated example, then a realistic example.

Say, for example, that the F3 freeway left lane is in bad shape (which it is). The RTA probably wouldn't appreciate me taking my asphalt truck down there and trying to patch it up.

A more realistic example - A council built set of dirt jumps - The council probably wouldn't appreciate me building them into big doubles.

If the trails are blocked by trees, contact the NPWS - By Fax AND telephone, or Letter AND telephone.

If any fallen trees present a hazard, rather than an inconvenience to riders, say so. They should be cleared quickly.
If not, mention that if they aren't cleared, riders will ride around them - forming new tracks and destroying vegetation.

If you have council land with fire trails with overgrown trees, it's a different story. Councils work slowly. In that situation it might be worth letting your local RFS or SES unit know. Both like fire fire trails to be clear of debris. In addition, they may want to train newer members in using a chainsaw.

The NPWS tends to do most of their own firefighting.

The issue we have here though is that none of the trails were created by the NPWS and through the POM process we are sorting which ones will remain open to public access and which will go.

We know the trails that are most likely to be designated as mtb trails and the NPWS has given us permission to hand clear these trails. Where bigger stuff needs to be cut with a chain saw, they are going to go through and clean it up.

Other trails that the future status in unknown, the NPWS will not be so keen to get in and clean up.

From the NPWS stand point, the storm couldn't have come at a better time.

As has been noted, we have been in a process of negotiation over the future status of many of the trails, and as noted before, the local NPWS are pushing the envelope of what the cycling policy allows. They are considering alternate DH access, which is something the NPWS normally avoid at all costs.

That is really why it is imperative that be come across as respectable park users at this point.

[Mattydv]

I agree and fully support Sammy and everyone else has said.

In short, don't do it. For reasons stated above.