Submitted to the Port macQuarie paper… in 4 parts
While I can sympathise with the dilemma the land managers face with unauthorised and detrimental use of Forested lands, do we actually believe the big stick approach is the best option to mitigating this repeated behaviours of some of our fellow citizens
I have a background in both forestry and its industries as a profession and as a recreational trail bike rider and the patterns I have witnessed and observed over a lifetime of both is leading me to other conclusions.
On the issues of damage done to the environment I would refute that the spread of non-endemic species and erosion are really huge factors in any argument, as when was the last time a parks, forestry or contractors machinery steam cleaned and fumigated betwixt travelling from one forested area to another?. And erosion whilst certainly a valid point is easily mitigated by some of the following suggestions. The current big issue to me in the far north of the state IMHO is illegal “doof” parties attracting hundreds and hundreds of attendees to remote locations where they literally destroy in a single weekend a patch of forest with no forethought or afterthought to either the ecology or human wellbeing. There is very real concerns about this, as there has recently been and will continue to be assaults, hospitalisations and even deaths, in this regard it appears to the observer that these events are of higher risk than trail bike usage.
Now on the trailbike issue We should be treating the causes rather than the symptoms, like the fishermen the sheer volume of trail bike owners is staggering, now maybe this has a lot to do the proliferation of cheap imported trail bikes into the market, making this an affordable pastime for a larger portion of the population, but is this the problem- no it’s not, the basic problem is a lack of accessible and realistic areas for the average family to enjoy this pastime. Oh certainly there are bike parks and private facilities scattered (and I do mean scattered) around the State, but on a whole in relation the population centres the is nowhere for family oriented casual trailriding unless you want to pack the caravan and take a holiday to visit a specialised facility.
Now we’ve accommodated the fishing folk in our community with the advent of fishing licences, boat licences and areas put aside for them to enjoy this fun and relaxing pastime, so why on a whole aren’t we providing the same for the masses of normal everyday people who wish to pursue the pastime of trailbike riding.
I would put it forward that the bulk of recreational forest users in the regional areas, are not bushwalkers, nor are they recreational horseriders, even the 4wders are easily outnumbered by recreational trailrider, legal or otherwise. Now if a demand exists that is so high, why are we only using a punishment approach, is that what our society has devolved into being?
I propose that a system much like the Victorian system of a “conditional recreational” licensing framework where otherwise currently non-legal bikes and riders can be cheaply and easily be allowed to pursue their pastime. It would be a Win-Win for all concerned the authorities have another revenue stream and more effective control over which areas are utilised, and insurances and the likes are covered. In addition to this surely there are portions of the vast tracts of land the crown has at it’s disposal that could be turned into family oriented “safe riding areas” for families to day trip and enjoy themselves, again while being confined to more suitable and safer places.
The needs exist, only a diehard extremist would deny this, and it would only take a determined politician of two to rectify this absurd situation that currently exists.
Sincerely
Bruce Cee
I job suited to no better men then yourself I feel ol mate I really do 
