As it was, or were, or ,-----Infrastructure, payment to the pollies

mike and Judy · Guru

As it was, or were, or ,-----Infrastructure, payment to the pollies

JRH · Guru

G'day,

In 1997 we Pensioners were charged $5 each to enter the Monlkey Mia Park in WA to see the dolphins. We later learned we could have parked outside and walked along the beach for free.

John

VK3FEMT · Senior Member

mike and Judy wrote:
Are you aware that in NSW you have to write to the parks dept for a pass to acess the national parks

This is more the norm then the odditity these days.
In Tasmania most parks require an entry pass, I would not have known this only I happened to be talking to some people who just came back from there and they were concerned about one of their parties 'headache', they spotted the ambulance car and obviously thought I was the next best thing to a doctor. Slight case of dehydration it was.

Anyway, they told me about these passes and that you can buy a pass for all parks (In Tas) prior to going there etc, they last for 1 or 2 years, depending on the option you select, you can also buy single park passes as well.

In Victoria, some of the more popular parks require entry fee's, luckily I have a pass for these I got for free.

I tried looking up same for each of the other states, but couldn't find any mention of same on their websites, I just looked at SA and NT for now, as I didn't see myself been in other states in the next 12 months.

Oh yeah, and apparantly camping fee's are a different kettle again and a seperate fee, now this is where it gets up my nostrils.

I have no issue with paying entry fee's at all, having worked in NP's I know the governments provide very little money to the states parks services, so anything that helps keep our very pretty parks that way is a good thing I think. But for the love of Coca-Cola, you would think if you shelled out $100 bucks or close to for a 12 month pass they would at least throw in camping in that as well. Nup, doesn't happen.

I'm on a pension as well, so I can truly understand the constraints of the financial situation, its part of the reason why I've choosen to go on the road actually, rental prices are just insane and landlords are getting far far to greedy.

I am going to buy a Tas pass before I go, and I will buy it at the last minute during May, as its cheaper. Can you believe they have peak and off-peak rates for these passes lol, that made me laugh. So its going to cost me $53, which ain't to bad. For those interested, the info is on their site here: http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=914

Basil Faulty · Guru

JRH wrote:

G'day,

In 1997 we Pensioners were charged $5 each to enter the Monlkey Mia Park in WA to see the dolphins. We later learned we could have parked outside and walked along the beach for free.

John

John, that is a really usefull tip, many thanks for it.

Basil Faulty · Guru

Here are the details of how to get a pensioner exemption pass.
Things must have changed as I don't have a NSW adress but do have an Exemption pass for all parks except kosiusco in winter when the figure TPI Veterans would not want to ski anyway...
All prices include GST.
NSW Senior Card holders are entitled to a discount of approximately 20% on the full price of an annual pass for a vehicle registered in their name. You will need to apply by fax or mail to the DECC Annual Pass Centre and include copies of both your NSW Seniors Card and your vehicle registration papers. NB: The vehicle must be registered in the same name as the NSW Seniors Card holder. You may also present the documents in person to the DECC Information Centre in Sydney CBD, or to one of our major visitor centres. NSW Seniors discounts cannot be combined with any other annual pass discounts.
NSW Pensioner Concession Card holders and NSW EDA, Intermediate and Special Rate (blinded, TPI and TTI) pensioners are entitled to free entry into all NSW national parks and reserves. You can obtain your exemption card from the DECC Annual Pass Centre. You will need to provide a copy of both sides of your NSW Pensioner Concession Card on application.
If you have previously purchased an annual pass and have received a renewal notice you can renew your pass online.

Frankly I'm amazed that you got in at all - AH BUT IT'S SUMMER!!!!

JRH · Guru

Basil Faulty wrote:

JRH wrote:

G'day,

In 1997 we Pensioners were charged $5 each to enter the Monlkey Mia Park in WA to see the dolphins. We later learned we could have parked outside and walked along the beach for free.

John

John, that is a really usefull tip, many thanks for it.

G'day Basil,

We haven't been back to Monkey Mia Since 1997 so I am not certain that the beach access has not been closed off, I can only suggest that anyone going there check before paying the exhorbitant prices asked for entry.

In WA they have a National Parks Gold Pass which entitles the holder to enter any NP free of charge, of course there is a fee for the Gold Pass.

John

mike and Judy · Guru

Why is neccesary to charge is pensioners at all,
Most of the parks have businesses, Kosioscko N P has a lot of business operating within its boundarys, we lost count of the chalets and the rooms available in each, in the last 9 ks to the summit, there is also all the chair lifts that are operating,
in othere parks there is c p such as Carnarvon Gorge in Qld,
Very glad to be the age I am, wonder what 50 years time will bring
M&J

enjoy your sunrises

JRH · Guru

mike and Judy wrote:

Why is neccesary to charge is pensioners at all,
Most of the parks have businesses, Kosioscko N P has a lot of business operating within its boundarys, we lost count of the chalets and the rooms available in each, in the last 9 ks to the summit, there is also all the chair lifts that are operating,
in othere parks there is c p such as Carnarvon Gorge in Qld,
Very glad to be the age I am, wonder what 50 years time will bring
M&J

enjoy your sunrises

Because Governments are greedy and a lot of pensioners are on the road visiting NP's. They (the government) make lots and lots of nice money out of it and they have to give very little in return.

My gripe is we are all Australian Pensioners and yet we get classified as WA, NSW. VIC. and so on, unless you are a resident of the appropriate State one may or may not be granted the concession.

Best Regards and Safe Travelling.

John

Pam · Guru

When we went to Koscuisko and did the walk we thought we would check things out the day before but changed our minds as going to Thredbo costs a daily park fee, even if you are only there a short while.

tonyd · Guru

Interesting topic.
One of the things Mr Dudd and the Ghastly Gillard need to understand is that pensioners, voting as a block, probably now have the power to make and break governments in this country.
The review of pensions needs to be a really good one (says a bloke who is considering retirement) because Labor is going to feel the very real anger of thousands of pensioners at the next poll if they get it wrong.
Kev, ignore Grey Power at your peril!
And free passes for national parks would be a vote-winner.

Bridgee · Senior Member

Why should ANY Australian citizen (not just pensioners or senior cits) pay to enter national parks to see some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in their own country.

Sorry, Bamphoto I don't buy the argument that fees are justified so the parks can be maintained. Pressure should be put on the federal and state governments to increase the funding, slugging us poor old "Joe Citizens" is just a cop out. In these "difficult times" extra funding for national parks would allow more staff (less unemployment) and encourage more visitors / tourists to towns close by where they can spend their money and stimulate the economy.

Sorry if I sounded like a pollie ...........Vote bridgee 1 at the next elections!!

Bridgee · Senior Member

tonyd wrote:

Interesting topic.
One of the things Mr Dudd and the Ghastly Gillard need to understand is that pensioners, voting as a block, probably now have the power to make and break governments in this country.

Tony, I don't think the millions of pensioners who received $1400 just before Xmas call him Mr Dudd, I think they call him Santa.

But you are right, with Baby Boomers soon entering pension age, "Grey Power" will certainly have a big influence in future elections.

VK3FEMT · Senior Member

Bridgee wrote:
1. Why should ANY Australian citizen (not just pensioners or senior cits) pay to enter national parks to see some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in their own country.

2. Sorry, Bamphoto I don't buy the argument that fees are justified so the parks can be maintained. Pressure should be put on the federal and state governments to increase the funding

I numbered your 'quotes' so I can answer them....

1. I agree, no argument there.
2. I agree with you, don't get me wrong I wasn't trying to make an excuse for the fee's, just stating the way it plays out on ground level. Of course the goverments (fed and state) should fund our parks more appropriately, without them having to resort to charging fee's to makeup the shortfall.
Unfortunately I don't see this changing anytime soon, the lack of funding has being this way for a long time now.

At least one thing thats good the money from the passes and camping fee's actually go to the parks, and not into the pollie christmas bash fund.

VK3FEMT · Senior Member

Bridgee wrote:
Tony, I don't think the millions of pensioners who received $1400 just before Xmas call him Mr Dudd, I think they call him Santa.

Yeah nah he's a dud cause he told me he wouldn't fork out another $1400 at easter so I could buy some easter eggs n stuff...

lynnenbarry · Veteran Member

in November 2008, the NSW National parks increased their fees by 100%!!

We have never objected to paying to camp in some of our wonderful national parks - however!!! with this exorbitant increase we now think more than twice about camping in National Parks. The real thing we object to is the daily entrance fee - why should we have to pay this everyday of your visit? when you maynot even leave the Park - this is just another governmental way of ripping people off and turning the 'grey power' to look for other alternatives such as free camps.

Free camp and just visit the parks - but no more National Park camping for us!

The National parks pass we bought for Tasmania was just the biggest rip off, and we would never do it again- especially with Tasmania having so many other options eg. Forest Tasmania - they offer a very viable option to the National Parks and are much better set up and usually free. Most of the parks could not even offer parking facilities for camper trailers and we were refused/or unable to get parking in most of the Tasmanian National parks.

So what are we paying our taxes for?

As has been mentioned - the Grey power - of this country has the power to have a huge impact at the next election.

Pam · Guru

When we went to Tassie in 05 we purchased a national Park Pass for $50 while on the Spirit of Tassie.. I think it was for 3 months or it may have been 1 month, I can't remember. We did not have the camper then, only the car and we could enter all the parks we wanted in the 3 weeks we were there. It was great.

Bridgee · Senior Member

Bridgee wrote:
1. Why should ANY Australian citizen (not just pensioners or senior cits) pay to enter national parks to see some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in their own country.

2. Sorry, Bamphoto I don't buy the argument that fees are justified so the parks can be maintained. Pressure should be put on the federal and state governments to increase the funding

bamphoto wrote:
I numbered your 'quotes' so I can answer them....

1. I agree, no argument there.
2. I agree with you, don't get me wrong I wasn't trying to make an excuse for the fee's, just stating the way it plays out on ground level. Of course the goverments (fed and state) should fund our parks more appropriately, without them having to resort to charging fee's to makeup the shortfall.
Unfortunately I don't see this changing anytime soon, the lack of funding has being this way for a long time now.

At least one thing thats good the money from the passes and camping fee's actually go to the parks, and not into the pollie christmas bash fund.

Yes you make some good points there Stew. I guess the fees have the same two chances of park fees and the GST being scrapped......... Buckley's and none!

However if the silent majority got more vocal about it I'm sure they might eventually agree to free entry for pensioners or at least bigger concessions for pensioners and senior citizens.

Brian

dave06 · Guru

the money from park fees actually go in to general revenue and then from there get doled out as the pollies see fit,

so the more the park is highlighted by visitations the less others get, each park has to apply for a grant renewal every year

I hate paying park fees, as most of the work is done by volunteers, we ( the tax paying community) bought these lands at enormous cost, well over market value, and then from there the gestapo only collect revenue and do very little else

if park management means letting feral goats, rabbits, pigs as well as cats and weeds take over then the bloody government is doing an excellent job

I hate paying for something that
(1) we own
(2) that is not being cared for
(3) that is simply being used as another revenue raiser

I know these things because I have park rangers as freinds

JRH · Guru

G'day,

Bridgee wrote:- However if the silent majority got more vocal about it I'm sure they might eventually agree to free entry for pensioners or at least bigger concessions for pensioners and senior citizens.
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Unfortunately the silent majority are just that, silent, and until we lose that "She'll be right mate" attitude then I fear they will continue to remain silent.

If only we would all realise that as the older generation we actually wield a lot of power and a united voice can and will get things changed.

I will now get off my soap box.

Best Regards and Safe Travelling.

John

Basil Faulty · Guru

So as Health , education, driving licences gradually become the Feds responsibility should we push for National Parks to be Nationalised? Would make sense, then the Feds could create their own group of SS Rangers to patrol & protect them....

JRH · Guru

Basil Faulty wrote:

So as Health , education, driving licences gradually become the Feds responsibility should we push for National Parks to be Nationalised? Would make sense, then the Feds could create their own group of SS Rangers to patrol & protect them....

Basil,
Are you advocating Australia becomes one country instead of 6 states and 2 Territories?

John

Basil Faulty · Guru

Strewth John, do you think I'm Peter Lalor?

JRH · Guru

Basil Faulty wrote:

Strewth John, do you think I'm Peter Lalor?

"Eureka" he said.

lynnenbarry · Veteran Member

So as Health , education, driving licences gradually become the Feds responsibility should we push for National Parks to be Nationalised? Would make sense, then the Feds could create their own group of SS Rangers to patrol & protect them....

Has always made a lot of sense to me Basil ( oh amazing one) - of course there would be some of the same old, same old stuff going on, but taking into consideration the financial implications we are one country, we should have one set of rules for everything - education, health and National Parks.
they would save so much money they could make a much more reasonable concession to pensioners in National parks and eleviate the daily entry fee when camping entirely..my 2 cents worth

JRH · Guru

Makes sense to me also, one country one set of rules for all.

John

VK3FEMT · Senior Member

dave06 wrote:
the money from park fees actually go in to general revenue and then from there get doled out as the pollies see fit,

Really, I didn't know that, I was under the impression it went direct to the parks, since its them your paying.

Well screw that, I recind, take back, negate, edit, delete, abolish all previous posts.

I don't mind paying though, but some of these fee's are over the top, I seen the SA parks fees were 105 bucks, not sure if theres a concession available or not.

And I agree with a previous postor, why should it matter what state your concession card is from, eg: how nsw only accept their own states cards, yet all health care/pension cards are dished out from leisurelink!!!

tonyd · Guru

Bridgee:
Point taken about the handouts from Dudd.
We did not do too well: Mrs Tony got $100 from the WA State government.
And when I turned 65 a couple of months ago, my present from Canberra was ... wait for it ... a bowel cancer testing kit!
I know they mean well, but I would have preferred the $1400. Cheers, Tony.

lynnenbarry · Veteran Member

There is certainly not much out there for those of us who have scrimped and saved to fund our own retirement and one of my huge bug bears is that so little is given to self funded retirees and people such as ourselves who are a 'couple' on middle income - what did we get from Mr Duddy - naught - absolutely naught.. We are doing it just as tough as the next person, and especially since a lot of that is going into our superannuation which will tide us over into our long term retirement - taken lots of hard work and dedication to come this far.

We can't even a a health benefits card - which would help tremendously - if only!

VK3FEMT · Senior Member

lynnenbarry wrote:
We can't even a a health benefits card - which would help tremendously - if only!

Yeah a bit rough.
But don't feel to sad, over 10 years ago a specialist dentist provided notice the the public health dental persons that I needed all my fangs yanked out and plastics inserted within 6 months. I'm waiting for this to happen, honestly I've given up waiting, last one that was giving me grief I got pissed on wild turkey and tore it out with pliers, thy pain was that bad. And I never had to have any of those horrible needles either!!! Bonus that was :)

Heres a novel idea, why can't they come up with an Australia-wide parks pass which included entry and camping, for all leisurelink card holders and senior citizens cards holders. For something like that I wouldn't mind forking out 200 a year for, when you add up the cost of passes in each state it probably would be more anyway.

As far as I know, the tas one will cost me around 60 off-peak, and the SA one (the only price I have found to day) is 105.

The bus has just had $1000 spent on it doing up the brakes and rear cylinders, this is becoming an expensive hobby.

Basil Faulty · Guru

bamphoto wrote:

As far as I know, the tas one will cost me around 60 off-peak, and the SA one (the only price I have found to day) is 105.

Have a squizz here, there are concessions available for some passesesesesese....
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/visitor/multiPrice.html