Warning for offroaders in Central Otago

[Winston001]

According to the Southland Times, DOC and the Police are getting tough this summer on 4WD and bikes offroad in the Queenstown area.

They plan to operate at Macetown, Coalpit Saddle, Skippers, and the Rees Valley targeting people who go off the tracks and rip up the ground.

Now, I'm all in favour because I've ridden these areas for years and abhor the scars mainly left by 4WDs. Bikes leave destruction too but it generally isn't as bad as vehicles.

However - they say they will also inspect for WOF and Registration which many riders wouldn't have. I think this is absurd and a complete waste of law enforcement time. Nevertheless take note everyone. Think I'll plan rides for early morning and keep an eye open.......

[Hitcher]

Remember to Check, Clean, Dry.

[GaZBur]

Remember to Check, Clean, Dry.

OMG - do you mean dyd...didddyy feck that rock snot stuff??? Never thought of that being a problem for bikes but I am heading up that way - should I be concerned? Hate to think I could spread it.

[Hitcher]

If you are traversing different waterways, you should check, clean and dry before each. Didymo spores are microscopic. It only takes one in one drop of water to spread it.

[GaZBur]

Will do. And I will make sure to remind all the police vehicles up Macetown do it too!

[nonferrous]

sounds like bad news - is Macetown track classified as a road and hence need WOF etc ?

[davereid]

"Any road, track, beach or path, whether the public has legal access or not is a road for the purpose of the act"

[nonferrous]

cheers DR - so the solution is ?

[Winston001]

All of the points referred to in the first post are roads. Paper roads in places but still roads. DOC and the Police seem to think they have jurisdiction anywhere on public lands and thus the Land Transport Act 1998 and it's nefarious Rules and Regulations apply. Thus you might not even have to be on a road.

Anyway for the police it is simple - sit at the entrance of the road in the late afternoon and stop every vehicle which turns up. They did that at Arrowtown a couple of years ago.

DOC might have a tougher time catching destructive drivers but these places mostly have only one way in and out. Binoculars, camcorder, radio - and wait.

Anyway, take care. Check before going in or out off-road. Worst comes to the worst, wheel the bike past the orificer with a cheery wave. "What - this old thing? Doesn't go...."

[oldrider]

DOC are the New Zealand gestapo as far as I am concerned.

Private ownership and control means access and sharing, once DOC get hold of any land it means people are out.

Well people in or on vehicles anyway.

It's just another form of state control of everything.

DOC are just the agency they are using for the land grab and lockout.

Tenure review, what a bloody joke!

Wait until the next election, Labour will be in there stronger than ever and they will pass laws that mean they will never be voted out again!

Fantasy? just wait and see. John.