Watagan Track Closures

[Dwayne OMember]

Talking to a bloke at work today that 4 wheels in the Watagans a fair bit & he was going on about new closures that affect the Wattos and reckons they are installing infa red motion sensing cameras to monitor the trails as well ,,,,
Not 100 % sure on the facts just yet but I found this on a 4×4 site tonite ….

7.2 TRACK AND TRAIL CLOSURE
The NPWS is committed to sustainable visitor use and enjoyment that is compatible
with the conservation of the reserves’ natural and cultural values. Watagans NP and
Jilliby SCA provide an opportunity to balance conservation priorities with recreation. 46
In order to reduce environmental impacts and maintenance costs, access that is not
essential for private property, recreation or management purposes will be closed and
allowed to regenerate naturally. These are classified as dormant trails and can be
reopened for fire fighting purposes. No public access is permitted on dormant trails
via private vehicle, trail bike, cycling or horse riding.
Other roads will be downgraded to a state that is negotiable for 4WD, fire
management and emergency access. Primary access roads in the reserves will be
maintained to an all weather 2WD standard and the NPWS will aim to maintain all
other park roads and management trails to a standard suitable for small 4WD fire
fighting units. Road classification in the reserves is shown in Figure 5 (inside back
cover of plan).
In Watagans NP the Congewai Link Track (3.4 km), Slippery Rock Link Track (2.0
km) and Bowmans Link Track (1.3 km) will be closed to motorised traffic for
environmental protection and to improve safety. Alternate vehicle access to the park
exists and the tracks will remain open to walkers, horse riders, cyclists and
management vehicles.
Congewai Link Track follows the Congewai Creek from Congewai Road, crossing the
creek and rising steeply up the escarpment to Georges Road joining the Great North
Walk. Considerable damage has been done to this track by vehicles, including trail
bikes. Closure of this track from the national park boundary adjacent to Congewai
Creek to Georges Road will protect the natural values and water quality of the
Congewai Creek catchment. Alternative vehicular access to the park from the
Congewai Valley is from Congewai Road via the Click Creek fire trail to Rope Road.
The Slippery Rock link track runs between Slippery Rock Road and the Watagan
Forest Road. 4WD and trail bike use has resulted in erosion and drainage problems.
Slippery Rock is a European Heritage Site identified in section 4.5.2 / Table 8 and will
be managed accordingly. Alternative vehicle access to the park from the Martinsville
Valley remains available via Slippery Rock Road.
Bowmans Link Track is a very steep track which runs from New Mill Road on the
boundary of Watagans NP, across Watagan Creek, and up to Bowmans Road.
Overuse by 4WD vehicles and trail bikes have caused steep steps and rock damage
on the track. Deep rutting has also occurred on the creek crossing. New Mill Road
links with Watagan Forest Road which is a major access road into Watagans NP.
7.3 SPECIFIC TRACKS AND TRAILS
7.3.1 Watagans NP
Bowmans Road / Harris fire trail
These roads provide 4WD access between the Corrabare and Watagans SF and the
Watagans NP. About 1.6 km of the Harris fire trail is located on private property and
the permission of the owners is required to use this trail. 47
Click Creek fire trail
This road links Rope Road and the Congewai Valley and sustains vehicle damage
after rain. Drainage culverts will be installed at the northern end of the track.
Slippery Rock Road
This road provides access from Owens Road to Watagan Forest Road. Vehicles and
trail bike damage following wet weather has necessitated numerous closures. It is
proposed to erect gates to restrict traffic while road work is in progress and to permit
temporary closure to allow the road to dry out and minimise damage. Should
continued damage occur, the road will be permanently closed.
Quorrobolong area
Tracks reopened along Barraba Lane during fires in 2002 / 2003 have allowed
access to the northern portion of the Watagans NP. Illegal activities such as trail bike
riding and firewood collection are occurring in this area. It is proposed to continue to
erect boundary fencing, with the co-operation of neighbours, to exclude vehicles and
to rehabilitate these tracks.
Owens Road
It is proposed to link Owens Road with fire trails on neighbouring properties south of
Gap Creek in Martinsville, to enhance fire protection.
Turners Road
It is proposed to close Turners Road between Watagan Road and the Watagan
Forest Headquarters. The trail will be retained as a walking track linking to Boarding
House Dam.
White Mahogany Ridge Road
Will be closed to public vehicle access. The road will be retained as a walking track.
7.3.2 JILLIBY SCA
Lemon Tree Area
Trails emanating from Lemon Tree Road will be closed to reduce repair costs from
vehicle damage. Yambo Forest Road will be maintained as a through link to
Mandalong Road.
Phil Tunks Fire Trail will be maintained as 4WD access only. Side tracks will be
closed to vehicles.
7.4 PETS IN TRANSIT
Under the NPW Regulation it is an offence to take an animal onto any road

[GregMember]

Umm been warning about this for a while. I have been hearing whispers for a while through a mate that has connections with NPWS

Its coming and it will get worse

TB

[Dwayne OMember]

For sure mate

And I have seen evidence of more gates being setup lately as well ,,,,
It has been coming for the past 10 yrs actually, but as usual overuse in certain areas and the minority doing the wrong thing only helps them to close it off :S

The guy today was talking about the fines too ,,, and they are not pretty if you get caught in these areas once closed :whistle:

[Scott SouthwellMember]

TB’s right, the writing has been on the wall for the Watagans for a long time. I remember talk of closures over a decade ago. Enjoy it while you can.

[alanMember]

we are just getting locked out of our own country been going on for years whats new its already been done out here (dubbo) and none of it had anything to do with overuse

[AlexMember]

True Rockit. No where to ride out here anymore considering we are in the middle of fn nowhere we cant legally ride any forest here. But you can now shoot in national parks…. I dont own a gun. :S

[peteMember]

I read this last year I think, unless it was another one.

I think that what we need to remember here is not to yell and carry on about how they are shutting down our play grounds but instead try to work with them, if someone calls you a dick head you tend not to give them the light of day, but if someone asks how can I help, they get a much better response.

PTW

[alanMember]

i do but there are a lot of stupid rules that go with it ps theres plenty of goats and pigs to shoot in the national parks the npws are obviosly not doing there job proply this is a cheap solution for them .

[AlexMember]

No way dude its all political handshakes mate with the shooting party and labour. I brought it up here as an example of how bizarre things ca get. Unfortunately we dont have numbers or backing so we have to soldier on and drive further. One more thing, avoid riding in shitty wet conditions like last weekend. I did it but dont condone it.

[alanMember]

na its shooters party and liberals selling power stations axel delete this crap no politics hay :laugh:

[peteMember]

Do we ( trail bike riders ) have a voice ? Have we got someone to speak directly for us or do we rely on the shooters and fishers party?

[Steve WyethMember]

I hope I don’t ‘lose’ my numberplate next ride……..

[alanMember]

mud works well

[AlexMember]

Wrap some tape around one end of the plate. Your right Rockit it is Libs, forgot. No political jabber here.

[peteMember]

Bugger! That reminds me, im not sure where my plate is. :whistle: :laugh:

[Author]

Posts