Bushwalk Australia

I got talking to a ranger at lake St Clair and he tells me it will be a extra fee to go into the walls and other parks soon. This will stop people doing most of the overland from the walls and not paying the overland fee.
Anyone else has more on this?

We all need a Parks Pass to be in any "Park" perhaps that is what your informant meant ,so I cannot see any further charge ,could be wrong but how would it be policed
Comment from our Parks members could clear this one up fast before the "rumor mill" takes off
corvus

Rumor has it that a booking system similar to the Overland Track is being considered for the walls.

I've heard the rumour about the permit system for the Walls as well... Probably not a bad idea, given the amount of traffic it gets in summer, which often forces people to camp in fairly sensitive places...

I reiterate how would it be policed with so many access points and no real official "start finish" place
corvus

corvus wrote:how would it be policed with so many access points and no real official "start finish" place

As with all such things, Corvus, those who try to do the right things will pay while the deviants will do as they always do and use any excuse available to justify not paying...

TR

The ranger mentioned that the new permit charges will apply to more areas than the walls! It does make sense to charge for the western arthurs with the toilets etc

I'm happy to pay additional fees as long as where they are spent and where PAWS fees as a whole are being spent, becomes transparent.

I think this scheme won't be able to be effectively policed, as they don't have the human resource, so quite frankly it's *&%$#! stupid. Or are they going to use the fees to pay more rangers so they can police the areas and collect fees? Hmmn...

Robbo wrote:

corvus wrote:how would it be policed with so many access points and no real official "start finish" place

As with all such things, Corvus, those who try to do the right things will pay while the deviants will do as they always do and use any excuse available to justify not paying...

TR

Calling people deviant because they want to explore or try something different is offensive. Are people that use the OLT track out of season deviants too??

I think we as Tasmanians have every right to explore areas and not be channeled into an PAWS user pays system. I for one enjoy alternative routes and mostly off track walking when it comes down to it.

It concerns me that they might make it even more difficult (ie, outrageously expensive) for common Tasmanians to go for a walk in our own back yard, and turning it into an activity that is only for the elite, such as wealthy tourists.

If their concern was really for the environment, and not all about making money, I would think that they would have stuck to their original OLT bookings plan and simply limited the numbers by requiring bookings, and not charging huge sums of money for the bookings on the OLT. The parks fees would also be uses exclusively for parks purposes and not just put into "consolidated revenue".

I suggest you go back and have a chat to the ranger. I just got this from the Director of Commercial and Business Services....

"additional bushwalking access fees in National Parks are not being considered."

I would suggest contacting the Northern Region Planner (6336 5312) if you have concerns about things at the Walls of Jerusalem.

Good to have that straight from the wallaby's mouth. Thanks Tastrax.

Its kind of ironic that it would be 'commercial and business services'...

Of course nothing is ever 'official' is it...until its happening (or hopefully just after..)

'commercial and business services'

He probably prefers that to head bean counter Not an easy jobs in Parks.

Thanks for the official word, Tastrax.

and...

PHEW!

lol... no not something i would want, though (unfortunately for him) as a taxpayer i would prefer his office to be in a glass box in Elizabeth Street Mall...
The irony, I guess, is that it isn't 'conservation/impact management services' or similar. Instead its all about the beans...

(dont sigh too loudly nik )

It does sound like the walls is getting a lot of use though. Would be good to know in advance how many others were in there. Some way of spreading the use (in the most basic form first) probably isnt a bad idea?

I wouldn't surprise me if a backpackers pass is introduced, to try and recover some of the expenses of maintaining backcountry infrastructure. This would be additional to any other pass. With the way the state budget is going south, I would predict it will happen within 2 years.

Again how would it be policed ?? let's not put ideas into bean counters minds please
corvus

ollster wrote:Calling people deviant because they want to explore or try something different is offensive.

Sorry ollster I did not mean this as an offense for people who legitimately seek new and different experiences but was more referring to those who actively seek ways to get around what is a requirement for honest people. As you mentioned, I too would would be happy to pay such a fee if the money went to actual infrastructure improvements etc., and could be tracked in a transparent way.

tastrax wrote:"additional bushwalking access fees in National Parks are not being considered."

It is good to hear it was but a rumour - thanks tastrax for your followup - which means the question mooted by Corvus does not therefore require an answer at this time.

TR

My 2 cents

If you value what you go to experience then the fees should be on you list as would food.

Genesis

Genesis wrote:My 2 cents

If you value what you go to experience then the fees should be on you list as would food.

Genesis

Are you suggesting that we pay a fee every time we access a Tasmanian National Park on top of the Annual Parks Pass fee
corvus

under10kg wrote:I got talking to a ranger at lake St Clair and he tells me it will be a extra fee to go into the walls and other parks soon. This will stop people doing most of the overland from the walls and not paying the overland fee.
Anyone else has more on this?

Did you get the name of the ranger?

Hey every one I find it ironic! Once there was no park fees but there were still tracks to walk on and plenty of cross country walking. Then came the park fees and they have been gradually sneaking up becoming dearer and dearer and the facilities are becoming better and better, if you like hard board decks to sleep on. There are more and more people about (remember when you could go to junction without the overland overflow?) But, oh wait, we need more money to maintain these expensive tracks and board walks and shuttle bus services! Lets just charge another fee, Does anyone else see the irony? Give me Solitry Mans hut any day or a nice comphey tent in the scrub any day!
Wacko the diddlio just keep walking!

I definately would NOT be happy about more fees!! We already pay for parks access and thats that IMHO. would you pay 3 times for one cup of coffee/service at a cafe? If they need more $ then let em lobby the treasury like anyone else. In fact while they are chatting about funding maybe they could suggest not using Tassy $ to support the football and get health funding back too???

Whilst it may be a false rumour, I was told a similar thing (fee coming in to access Cradle via Arm River) back in July. This came from the Lady Ranger at Cradle Mountain. She could not (or would not ??) disclose exact details, but she said it would be best to call Parks in Hobart around November"ish". I must admit I never got around to it.

But I guess I did get it from the horse's mouth so to speak, it would appear that the horse has changed it's mind though.

Having said all that, having camped at Walls over the Xmas break along with the other hoards a small fee to cover toilets, and camp site maintenence would be fair & resonable, so long as the fee is not placed into consolidated revenue like others have said.

Cheers

Steve

I hear there will be a fee for the shoulder season for the OT soon, with only the dead of winter being free to walk.

stepbystep wrote:I hear there will be a fee for the shoulder season for the OT soon, with only the dead of winter being free to walk.

I understand the season is being extended from 1st October through to 31st May.

the walkers share seems to keep getting smaller and more expensive.... i cant help but feel that the pass we buy for the national parks is supposed to cover this - access and upkeep!!! ie: we already are paying for the parks upkeep. they are now charging for the individual track as well ( bad enough in my book) and now the season "rules" are changing (No of course not in our favor ) AND talk of even more fees?? Why not drop the extra track fees and just cover it with the Parks Pass (thats what its definition is after all) and manage the funds better where they are needed? Do we get in a taxi and pay for the trip PLUS a door opening fee and a Rear seat use fee and a use of seat belt fee......? Really pisses me off.... like "10% tax" plus extra "duty" I guess govt is govt. - where's Guy Fawlkes when we need him anyhoo enough of my soap box... in the end we are stuck with what some public "servant" rules from a hidden office with a bunch of forms and desks between us and them..... or walking on other tracks.... untill this scheme is gradually introduced there as well.

Liamy77 wrote:Do we get in a taxi and pay for the trip PLUS a door opening fee and a Rear seat use fee and a use of seat belt fee......?

Try booking a flight with Jetstar. I usually stay away from them but had to due to scheduling... got charged ($4 each way) for a "seat fee" or some old *&^%$#!, that was on top of the actual flight fees. I guess they just expected I would be happy standing if I didn't want to pay a seat fee? The seats in the from 10 or so rows were more expensive too...

ollster wrote:

Liamy77 wrote:Do we get in a taxi and pay for the trip PLUS a door opening fee and a Rear seat use fee and a use of seat belt fee......?

Try booking a flight with Jetstar. I usually stay away from them but had to due to scheduling... got charged ($4 each way) for a "seat fee" or some old *&^%$#!, that was on top of the actual flight fees. I guess they just expected I would be happy standing if I didn't want to pay a seat fee? The seats in the from 10 or so rows were more expensive too...

The seat fee is optional. It's only if you want to choose a seat, otherwise you just get allocated any old seat.