OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[Losty Down Under]

Official press release 20th November 2007

I know it is a long post, but please read.


Interim Recreation Vehicle Area
changes benefit all

Until a management plan is completed quad bikes, buggies, trikes or motorbikes using Stockton Beach now have almost a 50% expansion of the area to use following changes increasing access to parts of this popular beach.

Following a number of complaints and conflicts with other users the Recreational Vehicle Area (RVA) at Stockton Beach in the Worimi Conservation Lands (WCL) north of Newcastle has been amended to improve safety for visitors, protect natural and cultural values of this important area.

NPWS Hunter Coast Area Manager Rob Gibbs said the new RVA aims to provide greater separation between other users such as walkers and fishers.

“The RVA has increased in size from 290 hectares to 430 hectares a 48% increase in the legal riding area available,� Mr Gibbs said.

“Lavis Lane remains the access. The new RVA includes 4 kilometres of beach front between this entrance and south-west to the ‘Sygna’ wreck but does not include any of the sensitive hind dune forest areas,� he stressed.

“The old 9.5 km beach front strip north east of Lavis Lane has been removed and replaced with the high dune area south of Lavis Lane much of which was previously subject to sand mining.�.

Mr Gibbs reminded people that all vehicles, including quads, buggies, trikes or motorbikes using the RVA must have either an RTA road registration or conditional registration and display registration plates as well as a valid WCL permit.

“It remains illegal to operate unregistered vehicles, motorbikes, buggies etc either in the RVA or anywhere else within the WCL, or any public land,� Mr Gibbs said.

“A speed limit of 40km/h and 20km/h when within 100 metres of pedestrians or other vehicles applies to the whole of the WCL including the RVA.�

“The fencing work which has been recently carried out at the Lavis Lane entrance is to protect the paperbark swamp forest which was being severely degraded by unregulated vehicle use and camping.

“People who ignore the regulation signs and conditions of use of the Worimi Conservation Lands can be issued on the spot fines and may be prosecuted.�

Maps of the RVA are available at WCL permit outlets and on the national park website.

A management board for the WCL is expected to be appointed shortly and one its key roles will be to prepare Plan of Management which will include public consultation.

For further information about visiting Stockton Beach in the Worimi Conservation Lands, contact the NPWS Hunter Region office. Telephone 02 4984 8200. Or www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.

ENDS

If we are to keep what area we have been allowed we need to act responsibly & stay within the rules laid out above.
Nothing is going to change from this for quite a while.

The Plan of Management (POM) public consultation phase will kick off in late February 2008 and likely run for at least 18 months. This will entail stakeholder group and community meetings, formation of a consultative group with both stakeholder groups and community reps that the Worimi Conservation Lands Board of Management and NPWS can work with in developing a draft POM before it goes out on the standard 3 month public exhibition process for comments.

If you would like to have genuine concerns & ideas presented to the above mentioned committee, please discuss them with either myself, Len or Bazz.
We are joining the Central Coast Dirt Riders, who have agreed to stand behind & support us in our voice to the NPWS.
If you would like to see changes take effect & also be a part of it, then come along to the CCDR meetings & put forward your ideas.
No official ATV voice committee has been elected, & until it has the three people mentioned above are it. Once more people become involved with us a vote will be undertaken to form the committee.
This committee will not have Stockton as its only concern, but will also be planning for MA sanctioned events of all disciplines within NSW.

Below are the new RVA maps.
Please study them & stay within their boundaries.
Rec rego which is avialable in 3 month blocks or 12 month & also a beach permit are now the only way to ride legally within the RVA.
NPWS is in negotiations with the RTA to try & have interstate rec rego recognized on Stockton as well to cater for interstate visitors.





This legend is not to scale.


_________________
If it's not upside down, you're not trying hard enough!

Paul

[yogie]

This has been made a sticky post due to it importance, good work Losty.
_________________
2005 KFX700
With a few bells and whistles
and the twin yoshi's
American Star A-arms, tie rods
elka stickers
Shorty Shifter
I have a Waco
rossco gave me a flexx sticker
honda thumb
Great at climbing trees
durablue stickers

[jefooz]

very good information and detail losty

[Stock As A Rock]

Good info Losty thanx for posting,
Looks like no more riding down from bay end for me and mates no more, isnt it funny i live 5mins away from stocko but its gonna take me 40min to get there, people in newy will get there faster then me LMAO...

its good they gave us our own section really but whats down that end? nothing no high dunes or anything 48% increase of nothing, i'd be happy with 30% area to the north of lavis lane least there would be something to do, might just have to bring in the tractors and make our own set up (its been moved before)...

Mick...
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"Its Only A Flesh Wound !!!"
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[Hulk]

it is a big step ahead, an increase in any riding area is very good

[Ozzy84]

finally, official progress in the right direction, good work fellas

[yogie]

found this, might be a factor in your weekend and number two's

http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/53869/Human_Waste_Management_on_Stockton_Beach.aspx?ky=&p=%2fForum%2fDefault.aspx%3fpn%3d1
_________________
2005 KFX700
With a few bells and whistles
and the twin yoshi's
American Star A-arms, tie rods
elka stickers
Shorty Shifter
I have a Waco
rossco gave me a flexx sticker
honda thumb
Great at climbing trees
durablue stickers

[Losty Down Under]

Update as of 9/02/08:

RVA Northern boundary is Macs track.
This is the lower track once you hit the 2 tracks at the very end of the entry track from the car park.
The tracks are now marked 4WD to the left track, ATV & rec vehicles straight ahead.
The reason for this is that the RVA northern extent ends at this track.
Shoot a straight line to the water from the fence at the end of the track & you have the boundary.
If anything happens to you while following the 4WD track you DO NOT have any insurance.
The RTA green slip only covers riders in the RVA.
The Southern boundary is marked by a large NPWS sign. Once you pass this you are on Newcastle Council land.

Another major concern of the NPWS is with people riding in the bush behind the dunes in the RVA.
This is not part of the RVA as the boundary stops just short of the tree line.
The biggest concern that they have with this is that the whole area is ex military test grounds. It is still littered with live rounds of all sorts of nasty things. Some of this stuff dates back to WWII. It is highly volatile.

The NPWS is very pleased with the majority of the ATV community for staying within the guidelines they have layed down. As a result, they are still looking to our input on various future plans for the area.
In saying this, there are still some loose cannons causing trouble. If you see these guys, say something to them to to try & bring them into line before they destroy it for the rest of us.

Thanks guys. Because of your posotive attitude towards the NPWS take over of Stockton, we still have a place to ride legally & the NPWS is still approaching us for advice on future plans.
_________________
If it's not upside down, you're not trying hard enough!

Paul

[yogie]

Hi guys, I have invertantly tried to spilt this topic, about organising rides here to another thread, I dont know what I've done but they have dissapeared into the vast reaches of the WWW, I know one of these was made by jamie and beach bum. I do apoligize chaps but have been asked to keep this thread for its intended purpose and thats stockton info and news updates.

again sorry chaps (I feel like kevin rudd with all these sorrys)
_________________
2005 KFX700
With a few bells and whistles
and the twin yoshi's
American Star A-arms, tie rods
elka stickers
Shorty Shifter
I have a Waco
rossco gave me a flexx sticker
honda thumb
Great at climbing trees
durablue stickers

[Losty Down Under]

An update on the permits & rego required for Stockton.
From NPWS 11/03/08.

"Our (NPWS) understanding from the RTA is that they are no longer issueing UVP’s (Unregistered Vehicle Permits) for the use of the Stockton – Worimi Conservation Lands RVA. This was purely a loophole, anomaly that many quad / conditionally registerable vehicle owners were trying to utilise to get around the legislation and cost issues of following the appropriate route and gaining conditional registration which included both Third party property insurance and issueing of, and requirement to display registration plates.



My understanding of the RTA UVP system was to cater for persons who had a vehicle that was unregistered and they could gain a UVP which would make it legal to drive / ride it directly by the shortest possible route to an authorised inspection station or RTA with the intention of having the vehicle inspected etc to get it registered, not ride or drive it on Stockton Beach RVA. ( similar to a ‘Trade Plate’ for private owners). Whilst it is my understanding the UVP has a small Third Party Property component attached to it, there is no requirement to display registration plates, therefore it is not an appropriate avenue for the use of the RVA..



As for the issues around interstate recreational vehicle registrations and their recognition in NSW and in particular at Worimi Conservation Lands, there are a few issues that have become apparent in our investigations with the RTA.



Our understanding with Queensland for example is that there is no Third Party Property Insurance requirement attached to their Recreational Vehicle registration system.



It is therefore our (NPWS) understanding that these can therefore not be recognised as being legal within the Worimi Conservation Lands – Stockton RVA as there is no way of ensuring that they have appropriate Third Party Property insurance in place.



We are still consulting with RTA over this and the situation with other states and territories and when we have final resolution I will let you know.



I suppose I come back to the basic issues and requirement from NPWS perspective is that all user of the Worimi Conservation Lands need to be legal. This includes an appropriately registered vehicle be it road registered or conditionally registered (permitted in RVA only), displaying registration plates and label appropriately and carrying current and appropriate Third Party Property insurance.



Many users I have spoken to down the dunes and beach this summer can not understand our stance on registration plates and labels. I have been very open and up front about this, in that it is our primary and intitial way of determining whether a bike / vehicle is registered therefore having appropriate insurance coverage, as well as it is very much an enforcement tool in ensuring appropriate behaviour from users as their details can be easily recorded, reported and checked for follow up action and enforcement if required if they choose to do the wrong thing.



I paint the analogy that the police would not tolerate a vehicle being driven around our streets that did not display its registration plates appropriately for obvious reasons, in that it is therefore virtually immune and untraceable in the event of a driver not following the road rules or undertaking other illegal activities. When I explain this they seem to then understand.



In short if people do the right thing they have nothing to worry about, if they want to break the rules and are looking for ways to try and get around the system and minimise there chances of getting caught by not displaying plates etc then they are going to run into problems with us.



As for the Third Party Property insurance issues it is our ‘Duty of Care’ responsibilities as land managers that require us to ensure that users of the Lands have this in place to protect the rights and interests of other users in the event of an accident or mishap that may involve them.



Therefore our stance on appropriately registered vehicles displaying registration plates and labels will always be firm and that UVP’s are therefore not an appropriate or legal avenue for use of the WCL’s RVA.



In addition to this the requirement to hold and display a current Worimi Conservation Lands Beach Vehicle or Recreational Vehicle Area Permit and abide by the RVA boundaries and Conservation Lands Conditions of use and Regulations. (40km/h speed limit, no riding on vegetation or shell accumulations etc).



Hope this explains where we are at and our stance with all this."
_________________
If it's not upside down, you're not trying hard enough!

Paul

[shagger]

Did anyone else happen to read thursdays herald about the sand mining that will be happening int he area over the next 40-50years?
http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/sand-extraction-deal-to-create-income-for-community-stockton-bight-to-lose-150m-tonnes/1206869.html
I wonder what this means for the atv community? Does anyone know how far out the sand mine in the riding area is going to come?

[niftynev]

The sand mine in the herald is on the Worimi Freehold land known as the tounge. They are going to extract wind blown sand along the face of the vegetation. Its no where near the RVA on the national park.
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niftynev

[greenhuman]

Hypocrites.

[niftynev]

Don't get you attempt at humour.
The fence your talking about, is the one on BORALS freehold land. The security guard is due to 4x4's (not quads) running over the fence. The BORAL FREEHOLD is about 1.7km long and extends about 100mt further towards the SIGNA. They have only fenced their extraction area. They handed a map out at last years clean up day showing their land.
The Worimi proposal is north of the Lavis beach entry and is only removing wind blown sand off the vegetation.
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niftynev

[greenhuman]

I'd be crying tears of joy as well if I could get protected land changed to big hole zone and receive let's say a conservative one dollar per tonne at 154 MILLION tonnes over 50 years. Lets not use the excuse that it's wind blown sand. It's all wind blown sand out there and its taken 6,000 years to develop into how it is. No wonder people are not allowed out there in those big hills. Might disturb the ecology or fall off a new cliff face. Money talks. Values, well.....

[muzzle]

greenhuman wrote:

Hypocrites.

I SECOND THAT..!!!
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its all good. its just a bit dirty !!!

[Sean]

yeah thats the real politics of stockton -hard cash!
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yfz 450

[muzzle]

yeah well.. how many of you have rode out to the dune, hung a right south and before too long you see a BIG STEEL WIRE FENCE.????? surrounding a tiny little insignificant area..yeah .... IM SURE YOUS HAVE..
sorta shoked me the first time i saw it.
NOW TAKE A LOOK AT THE NPWS BEACH MAP.{ this is the fun bit }.
The PRIVATE PROPERTY zoned area AT Lavis TOTALLY OVERLAPS the 4wd acess to beach area. Hmmm !!! well
WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY FENCE THIS AREA OFF TOO.???
Its marked EXACTLY the same as the southern end area.
Looks like ALL the traffic will be using the one entry and exit eventually.
.
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its all good. its just a bit dirty !!!

[mykeesmith]

The only way we can get othere aresa to ride is through our local members & sumitting them an aplication. More new areas can be opened up if aplications are submitted. Has any one put in any aplications yet for more new riding areas?

Last edited by mykeesmith on Tue Feb 03, 2009 8:26 am; edited 2 times in total

[shagger]

What other riding areas are there? Apart from private property. They'd be a little scared of repercussions if they opened up bushland.

[Losty Down Under]

For several months National Parks and Wildlife have been in discussions with the Roads and Traffic Authority with the hope of resolving some of the ATV-related problems within the Stockton Recreational Vehicle Area. The RTA has been very co-operative. They’ve (NPWS and RTA) also been willing to see things from an ATV riders’ point of view.



We anticipate these discussions will see significant changes in rules governing ‘roadworthiness’ for off-road quads at Stockton, and how the registration and insurance process is being managed.
_________________
If it's not upside down, you're not trying hard enough!

Paul

[muzzle]

We anticipate these discussions will see significant changes in rules governing ‘roadworthiness’ for off-road quads at Stockton, and how the registration and insurance process is being managed.[/quote]

roadworthy...... Hrmmm.. IF THEY DECIDE TO CRACK DOWN ON THIS, THEN WE;RE ALL SCREWED !! NO ONE HAS BLINKERS, REFLECTORS, HORN, ECT.
sad to say but this is the PERFECT way to get rid of us...
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its all good. its just a bit dirty !!!

[bno12a]

for several months the rta & npws have been in disscusions to resolve some of the problems, they rta & npws also willing to see things from ATV riders poit of view,
are you joking i have been trying to get involved since the meeting they had on the 8th of september, i am on the plan of management but that seems to mean nothing as there is no info sent or dates of the meetings to attend, if they are interestedin our opinion maybe they need start dealing listening to people who have been going to & using the area for 25 30 years, but they dont wont our opinions cause it then costs them money, the boundrys should be tin city north & south were it is, QBE the insurrence mob dont tell the npws how big the area has to so it is NPWS & worrimi's that we have to get to give us AUSSIE's a fair go.

[Losty Down Under]

Muzzle - what is with you? There are a handfull of people up here in the bay that are working with NPWS to try and make a difference in the way things are done at the moment.
Within the NPWS there are people who understand our requests and are doing all they can to help us.
These wonderfull remarks that you keep coming up with are not helping our cause as this forum is monitored by a lot of people involved.
One of the NPWS rangers commented "why are we trying to help when no matter what we do some d#@*head on the forum just shoots us down in flames"
Try and get the fact through your thick skull that these people are dealing with a lot of red tape and add to the fact that some in power do not believe that we quad bike riders should have any more than we have now.
As for the rego, read your rego slip. 95% of the cost is third party insurance. I have gone through the exercise myself of getting seperate quotes for the third party on my bike. Over 300cc and the cost is way more than going through the RTA.
So muzzle, how about becoming part of the solution instead of being one of the problems we are facing.

bno12a - drop me a pm with your contact details.
_________________
If it's not upside down, you're not trying hard enough!

Paul

[muzzle]

OUCH... !


my opinion offends you. sorry
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its all good. its just a bit dirty !!!