National Parks

herbie · Guru

National Parks

johnq · Guru

You really wonder how government could do what it once did without the extra taxes and user pays.

I want government to return to and stick with those essential services that government traditionally supplied before Whitlam (just marking a point in time, leave out the politics).

The other thing that offends me is the continued scrutiny and interference in private citizens' lives.

As far as I am concerned we were already paying for national parks. Extra charges are double dipping.

herbie · Guru

I think most parks /national or state run,are becoming just another business to the goverment if they don't hit the hip pocket to enter , they get you if you won;t to camp.Was reading that in victoria off peak is $16.20 per camp , up to 6 people ( wondering why fee is not taken to the even $ as finding change would be a problem ) Peak period is $22.20. per camp up to 6 people , both periods charge for additional car $6.90 per car.. ....At what they deam peak periods they have a minimum booking period.Also have a policy on cancellations .....So i guess in some family's it would be very expencive to go to OUR Parks.Must agree re the maintanace of the parks through out Oz. Some we visited many years ago and were a beautiful untouched place to be, but once they started putting in building and such , thats when they magic went out of a lot of these naturial wonders.Little maintance is ever done on any building that is erected and in due course that alone makes these places shabby.

Just a foot note on the no dog policy..at one Nat park in WA the care taker had two dogs tied up at residence he was living in just inside the enterance......So once again do as we say not as we do !!!! hmm

There is not one park now in Tassmania they does not charge some kind of fee.

-- Edited by herbie on Tuesday 5th of March 2013 03:57:50 PM

brickies · Guru

I believe paying twice is the way to go has great number of people don't use national parks and they are paying tax to support some thing they don't use , User pays

ozjohn · Guru

A bit of trivia.
Jervis Bay is not a National or State park, but a separate National Territory administered by the Federal Government through the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts & Sports.
The other non self governing territories are Ashmore & Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Coral Sea islands and Norfolk island.

The Jervis Bay Territory is approximately 6677 Hectares in size on the southern shore of Jervis Bay

Cheers, Ozjohn. wink

-- Edited by ozjohn on Tuesday 5th of March 2013 04:27:37 PM

Gerty Dancer · Guru

I reckon National Parks in Australia are severely underfunded, theres very little work done in control of feral animals and weeds from what we've seen, and there doesnt seem to be much maintenance of fire trails, let alone fuel-reduction burns.
We the citizens of Australia are the owners of these parks, if all that work was to be done, then we would have to pay more in taxes or fees.

brickies · Guru

Gerty totally agree we have a lot of people who want use these parks and don't want to pay

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

If you are a pensioner in NSW entry is free to our National Parks, I think that there is now no entry fee to Victorian parks and there are many NSW parks that have free entry it is mainly the parks that have heavy usage, there is an entry fee to cover the maintenance costs that high usage brings.
Cheers
David

GaryKelly · Guru

Australia was once one big national park, and the Aborigines used it for 50,000 years with no maintenance or fees. Then we came along and buggered it up.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

National Parks here in Tassy are wonderful - but quite expensive to visit - $24 per park, per vehicle I think it is. Then to camp there you have to pay again, as well as you are going for a walk (not just the "stroll" ones) - would warn you, if coming over to get a pass on the boat - two months for $60 - which means three parks and you are in front. Still have to pay for camping there though. There is also available on the boat an "Adventure Pass" - about $150, but saves on lots of attractions and "touristy" things.

ozjohn · Guru

National and State parks in Victoria are free for all, but there are camping fees in some.
Ozjohn

aussietraveller · Guru

As I have previously posted on this topic they are not really National Parks (maybe in name only) each state has charges which differ from other states and if you have an annual parks entry pass from one state it is not recognised in other states, so my argument is they are state parks not national parks.

ozjohn · Guru

National Parks are partially funded by the Federal Government and administered by the States with all works etc having to be approved by the Federal Govenment.
State parks are the sole responsibility of the State Governments.
OJ

Gerty Dancer · Guru

aussietraveller wrote:
As I have previously posted on this topic they are not really National Parks (maybe in name only) each state has charges which differ from other states and if you have an annual parks entry pass from one state it is not recognised in other states, so my argument is they are state parks not national parks.

I thought so too, aussietraveller, but our NSW parks pass didnt get us into the Burrendong Dam reserve which is in NSW. I forget how much they wanted, but we thought it was too much since we had a NSW pass, told them so and did a u-turn.

The Jervis Bay NP isnt accessible with a NSW pass either, although its in NSW too...

There are State NP's and State "reserves", but I think Jervis Bay is ACT owned because of the Naval base?, and aboriginal people run it like they do at Uluru. ???.

I'm confused!?

msg · Guru

I just wish I could visit. But no dogs and I can't leave Molly behind. I couldn't let her out of the van all the animals would get her.

03_troopy · Guru

NPWS is doing something about the inability to maintain fire trails in NSW national parks. They're putting locked gates across them and not allowing access. That's what the big 4WD rally was about here in the Hunter.

justcruisin01 · Guru

Bloody national parks, what an insult to the Australian people.

That Bob Carr just grabbed land where ever he could, more than they can manage. They took land on this valley that had been a cattle station ever since man has been in the valley & then have the hide to call it a wilderness. Dams , fences , yards, house, & every thing that forms a station, what a joke.

Now they want an arm & a leg to visit there. At the time the person that was in charge of the regein treated the owners of 4x4's like they were criminals & were denyed access.

They need to read their own constitution, in the very begining of it its stated that parks are for the people. A very select few these days. From the access points you walk, all the existing trails that were in place from logging, fire trails, & forestry opperations are gone as they dont want you to be able to use them. that leaves no access for fire control.

As walking is the only way I see this as discrimination against all those that are elderly, have disabilities, & even the younger generation that have a couple of small kids as the vast areas cannot be seen to be appreciated.

The follow on in this area due to NP takeover was for the forestry to purchase or lease farm & grazing land & replant it with trees to sustain their timber supplies. Even to the point where some of our own previously owned farm land is now back under trees by the forestry.

I'm not saying that some areas dont need to be protected, there are many unique places to take care of. Too many times they take thousands of acres just to control a very small area, then the rest is a lost cause.

My dislike is the way they go about things, the restrictions & dictatership of what you can & can't do, & charge expensive fees to see our country. After all its supposed to be our country, they act as though its their country & dont want to share.

JC.

justcruisin01 · Guru

03_troopy wrote:
NPWS is doing something about the inability to maintain fire trails in NSW national parks. They're putting locked gates across them and not allowing access. That's what the big 4WD rally was about here in the Hunter.

Thats right, & when the forestry owned these areas & people were alowed to usee them the 4x4 people keept the fire trails clear with regular use.

these days its now easier to put up a NO NO sighn rather than fix the problem. The country is now poluted with these no no sighns, every where you go .

msg · Guru

Here, Here JC

03_troopy · Guru

i think you can buy cordless angle grinders from Bunnings though.... wink biggrin biggrin biggrin furious