VAFWDC Track Access Rally 2001

received via email:

24th March 2001: Reclaim The Tracks

This is your chance to show support for the Association and our efforts to retain access to many of the bush tracks within Victoria. This is of vital importance to all members of four-wheel drive clubs, all who value the bush, the experience of bush camping and the challenge of driving on our bush tracks. Tracks which belong to all Victorians.

The Reclaim the Tracks Rally will be held on the 24th March 2001. The main focus will be in Melbourne but it is expected that other events will be staged in rural locations around the state. All clubs are encouraged to send as many vehicles as possible to show support to emphasize and strengthen our claim.

Support will also be welcomed from other clubs, not affiliated with the VAFWDC. This is a fight for the all four-wheel drivers in Victoria and in Australia. Representatives will be in attendance from all the States and Territories and the Australian National Four Wheel Drive Council.

This is our future! If you want to retain access, for yourselves and for your children, then help make this a day to remember, the turning point, sending a strong message to the Government and politicians. The debacle over the 'temporary' closure of the Caledonia Track will be the focus.

The Government has procrastinated for three years since the Caledonia Track was closed after the 1998 bush fires in the Alpine National Park. Excuses have been made, access has been denied, even our own representatives are not allowed to inspect the alleged damage for themselves.

The rally will send a strong reminder that this is our land. Public Land!

Experience in other states is that four-wheel drivers cannot rely on Governments to maintain access to the bush. Already, much of New South Wales is closed. Our colleagues up north frequently have to resort to private property to practice their off-road skills, at a price, of course.

Similar restrictions exist in many other states, leaving Victoria with what many consider to be the best track network in the country, with a mixture of easy, medium and hard tracks, unparalleled elsewhere.

Decide now to support your fellow four-wheel drivers and help retain and improve the existing network of bush tracks.

Briefing Notes

History

There were widespread fires in the Alpine National Park in January 1998. After the fires, many tracks were closed, to allow them time to recover. Two tracks, Caledonia Track and Dingo Hill Track have not been re-opened, three years after the fires. We were told that as Caledonia Track ran along the creek in some places, the ground was unstable and there were fears of the creek silting if vehicles were allowed access. Last year, we received assurances that both tracks would be open by Christmas 2000

The Current Situation

Both tracks are still closed. It is claimed that

Dingo Hill Track is too steep in places and is dangerous. It will not be re-opened!
Caledonia Track is blocked in places by landslides We have asked for our representatives to be allowed into the area to inspect the damage. These requests have been turned down.
We are arranging for the 24km of Caledonia Track to be walked by experienced four- wheel drivers, so that we can obtain evidence of the true state of the track.
There are suggestions that a decision has already been made not to open these tracks.
Consultants have been appointed to report on the tracks. This report is expected at the end of March.
The 'Reclaim the Tracks' Rally is being held on the 24th March, ahead of the consultants' report. You can -
Sign the Petition
Attend the Rally

Details of the rally will be available on the website from 1st March 2001: www and on a recorded message service: tel:03-9857-4911.

Clubs to be at the assembly points by 12.15.

From the West. Assemble at Lorimer Street Port Melbourne. Melways map 42 H10 Enter from the Westgate Freeway or Wurrundjerri Way. Western Convoy Leader and Tail End Charlie should have an identifying sign, and convoy will use UHF channel 14 for communications. Convoy should leave at 12:40 PM, and all participants should plan on being there well in advance of this time. From there via Flinders Street to Spring Street.
From the North. Assemble at Oak Street and Manningham Street Parkville Melways map 29 C11. Enter from Brunswick Road and Park Street Northern Convoy Leader and Tail End Charlie should have an identifying sign, and convoy will use UHF channel 15 for communications. Convoy should leave at 12:30 PM, and all participants should plan on being there well in advance of this time. From there via Brunswick Road, Nicholson Street to Spring Street.
From the East. Assemble at Yarra Boulevard Kew area Melways Map 44 H5. Entry via Walmer Street from the East, or Johnston Street from the West. Eastern Convoy Leader and Tail End Charlie should have an identifying sign, and convoy will use UHF channel 16 for communications. Convoy should leave at 12:40 PM, and all participants should plan on being there well in advance of this time. From there via Johnston Street and Nicholson Street to Spring Street.
From the South East. Assemble at Yarra Boulevard Richmond Melbourne Girls College area. Melways map 44 J10 Entry from the Monash freeway Burnley Street exit, or Hawthorn Bridge area South Eastern Convoy Leader and Tail End Charlie should have an identifying sign, and convoy will use UHF channel 17 for communications. Convoy should leave at 12:40 PM, and all participants should plan on being there well in advance of this time. From there via Bridge Road and Wellington Parade.

The Northern and Eastern groups will meet at the junctions of Johnstone St and Nicholson St and should intermix to become one group with the convoy leader being the first to the intersection. There will be no waiting for a second group to show up. All normal traffic regulations will be obeyed.

The Western and South Eastern groups will meet at the junctions of Flinders Street and Wellington Parade and Spring Street and should intermix to become one group with the convoy leader being the first to the intersection. There will be no waiting for a second group to show up. All normal traffic regulations will be obeyed.

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