Lees Paddock Closed?

[rwfox]

Arrived at the bridge on the Lees Paddock Track on Wednesday 27th October to find this sign chained across the far end.

The number is a Queensland no. I am not sure which property it refers too?

It will be intresting to see if its sold to a developer?

As should/must go into the National Park

[tasadam]

The bridge will be a Parks Tasmania (PWS) asset. Worth asking them.

[tasadam]

Gotta love Google...

Psal
(07) 5532 3450
Level 13 179 North Quay, Brisbane
Deal direct with the Lender, PSAL Limited specialises in short term 1st and 2nd mortgage loans for business and investment purposes. You get to talk with the person that lends the money, no money up front because we capitalise the application fees & costs, interest & legals (we do not capitalise valuations)

Loan Purpose: Must be for Business or Investment purposes only, you will be required to outline what the funds are being borrowed for.
Loan Term: Minimum loan term is One (1) month with a Maximum loan term of Six (6) months, usually your method of “take-out” (repayment of the loan) will govern this period.
Loan Amounts: Minimum of $20,000 with a maximum of $400,000.
Security Required: Real Estate as an absolute minimum, Commercial, Residential & Rural Properties, these can be bolstered by things such as vehicles, boats, planes, pending irrevocable commissions, licences (eg fishing), guarantees from third parties, etc.

Something's going on......
If the mortgagee is "in possession", maybe someone defaulted on a loan and they have seized the land? Only speculating.

[tastrax]

Despite what the sign says I would suggest that legal access still remains across the bridge HOWEVER...the track as indicated on maps does cross private land. If you remain by the rivers edge you would still be within the Public Reserve until you get past the most southerly block when you enter the National Park.

[corvus]

I suspect that this sign has in fact been illegally affixed to a public asset and a notice to that effect should be served on those responsible to have it removed forthwith or face the consequence of some naughty person purloining it
Strange that Phil did not mention it, being that he was in there over the weekend.
c

[tastrekker]

I rang the Queensland office as I like to take things from the horse's mouth before too much discussion/speculation takes place and a lady there explained the situation.

Personally I don't like signs like this being placed on public land or public infrastructure. However, the track clearly passes through private land a few metres from the sign so we should not be splitting hairs.

In terms of future options, re-routing the track through the public reserve could work but only as far as the southern edge of the southern block. At that point, river bank erosion has probably already encroached onto the private land.

[taswegian]

Is this the new owners? Dingemanse Management Pty Ltd. Not sure who 'old' owners were.

Several years ago I remember seeing a Development Application Notice fastened to a tree or something, but not sure where exactly it was.
It was visible from the road.
It could have been the next block up on east side of Mersey.

[taswegian]

If issues arise what would a new track further upstream be like? Viable?
Somone could drag the Par's bridge upstream and re-erect

Lees_mersey.png (455.31 KiB) Viewed 12671 times

I imagine the owners of Lees Paddocks upstream would need access and that may be interesting.

[corvus]

There was a bridge upstream several years ago which crossed not far below above Lewis Falls however despite its good construction it was not high enough and did not last past one flood season,the track to it also passed through private property from the end of the road.
c

[tastrekker]

There was a bridge upstream several years ago which crossed not far below Lewis Falls however despite its good construction it was not high enough and did not last past one flood season,the track to it also passed through private property from the end of the road.
c

It was actually just above Lewis Falls. Many of the orange markers are still there. Here's a photo:

I didn't get there in the 4 short months it was up.

[corvus]

Thanks for the Photograph and for jogging my memory as to the exact location, when I crossed it the water was not very far below the decking, I recall there was a smaller bridge across Jacksons/Moses Creek that also was washed away.
When the River level was down that part of the Mersey was a good fording point.
c

[Phil]

The signage is referring to the area known as Pine Hut Plain only. We just ducked under the chain on the way in on Sunday morning, as we were leaving on Monday arvo, a lively 'older' chap took it upon himself to take the chain down whilst swearing and cursing and tossed it into the Mersey

Dingemanse Management Pty Ltd 'owned' the property and have had plans to develop an eco-tourism type project on the property (which some of you may have heard about). There had been significant design work invested into the project by cb&m design solutions along with community consultation; an invester was being sought to partner with Dingemanse Management Pty Ltd and cb&m design solutions and develop the project.

About 6 months ago the company I worked for, cb&m design solutions (who had been designing the project), was placed into liquidation This company was owned by the same people who direct/own Dingemanse Management Pty Ltd - who are not just my employer but also personal friends of ours. The liquidation process is still ongoing but as part of the agreement, some of the assets of Dingemanse Management Pty Ltd (such as Pine Hut Plain and another property near Mt Victoria which had similar plans) are being liquidated by the receivers.

Phil

[corvus]

Phil,
Thank you for that information and I thought it would not take long before someone "removed" the chain,what happened to the sign ?
c

[Phil]

Phil,
Thank you for that information and I thought it would not take long before someone "removed" the chain,what happened to the sign ?
c

The sign was just left sitting on the ground in the vicinity of the bridge; I also took my own photo of it to show to a couple of the guys here at work who have been involved in this property/development over the past few years........not a nice feeling.......

[tastrekker]

About 6 months ago the company I worked for, cb&m design solutions (who had been designing the project), was placed into liquidation This company was owned by the same people who direct/own Dingemanse Management Pty Ltd - who are not just my employer but also personal friends of ours.

Thanks for the personal insight. It must be tough for all concerned. I remember the publicity about the CB&M proposal. At the time I kicked off this discussion on the forum as the proposal coincided with logging on the opposite river bank.

[corvus]

I imagine the owners of Lees Paddocks upstream would need access and that may be interesting.

I suspect that the Lee Family made certain that they had "easement" rights to The Paddocks and therefore Lees Track should have "right of way access" through this property.
We will find out soon enough no doubt,meantime let's make sure we use the Track to keep it open
c

[shazcol]

No indication it was closed this weekend.

Wire Rope Bridge - Lees Paddock Track

WireRopeBridge.jpg (96.91 KiB) Viewed 12427 times

Not another person sighted all weekend between here and Wadleys Hut. Track is still boggy in many places with one particularly messy section about two thirds of the way in here:

Up hill bog hole - Lees Paddock Track

BogHole.jpg (133.62 KiB) Viewed 12427 times

Very surprised at the amount of snakes we saw. Three at various places along the track and one on the paddock between Lee's and Wadley Hut. The last one made us go around him no matter what we did! He just sat up on the tussock and ignored us.

We also scared a very large Eagle off the track just before you enter Lee's proper as you come out of the bush. He was just so big that close up. Plenty of trout in the river but no fly rod today (need a four piece rod to replace my two piece). We had heaps of fun watching the platypus as the water is so clear you can see them on the bottom foraging around, kept us amused for ages.

The Lee's Hut logbook had an entry for every weekend for quite a while so the area is getting plenty of traffic to keep it open. I am sure there are plenty of 'right of ways' that the receivers or liquidators are not aware of and saw the bridge as the most convenient location to put a sign. Maybe it would have been better placed on the Pin Hut building ? Looking out for it the market soon?

[ghosta]

Interested in your comments re snakes. We went in the Arm River track about a month ago after the last heavy snowfall. There was snow on the ground yet we saw 2 snakes; a tiger snake on the track and a whipsnake which a walker who went out earlier that morning in front of us had trodden on unknowingly.

[corvus]

Wonder how much they want for the Pine Hut Plains block ,does anyone know who to ask and perhaps we could form a consortium to purchase it freehold
c

[taswegian]

Is this one for Tasmanian Land Conservancy?

[Paul]

Hi all,

Pine Hut Plains ( 3 Titles, including original mountain hut ) is today advertised for Sale By Auction. The auction will take place on 17th December at 187 Brisbane Street, Launceston.

What will the future bring ?????

Paul

[samh]

Hey, lets have a BWT fundraiser and buy it

[shazcol]

For those wanting to buy follow this link: http://www.realestate.com.au/property-other-tas-liena-7305567

[rwfox]

Concerned folk

The impact on developing the Pine Hut Plain on Mersey River, Lees Paddocks and Cradle Mountain National Park could be significant.

If a developed such as; an "Eco- Lodge / Eco-Fishing Lodge / Eco- Horse riding lodge was built (DA approval for an Eco-Retirement Village) the Pine Hut plain area would certainly experience some collateral damage (roads, waste, wood cutting etc). The experience presently enjoyed by walkers and fishermen alike would be diminished.

With permanent accommodation, The Lees Track could become a highway. The potential risk of transporting pest species into the NP, along with weeds such as Didymo into the Mersey River (http://www.trout-fishing-new-zealand.co ... island.htm ) could devastate the platypus population.

Therefore you would think that the importance of Pine Hut plain in maintaining the integrity of Cradle Mountain National Park and the Lees Paddock Track should be of great interest to Tasmania National Parks / Government.

With only a few weeks to go before the sale of this property is there anything that can be done? to save it.

[Nuts]

Valid concerns. You would think it a prime opportunity for parks acquisition?

Certainly may be a better option than trying to deal with all the potential problems likely to occur...

[tastrax]

...if only Parks had any money!

[Nuts]

Perhaps this is one of those situations where 'it just Needs to be 'found''

hmmm perhaps a letter/s bringing the urgency of the situation to the ministers attention would help?

[PSAL]

To All Concerned,

I represent the Mortgagee on the Pine Hut Property mentioned, whilst it is with regret that we were required to take action
against the borrower and thus take possession of the property, we had nor have we any angst against bushwalkers at all.

If anyone has issue or wishes to speak to me personally, please feel free to call me direct on 07-55323450 or email at admin (at) psal.com.au

Yours Sincerely

Jaime Dormer
Director
PSAL Limited

[ILUVSWTAS]

Thanks for taking the time to inform us of the situation Jaime.
Will a new track be opening up anywhere to by-pass the land in question??

[PSAL]

To All Concerned,

As far as alternative tracks etc I am unable to assist, as our role is to simply recoup monies lent on the property, as you
could probably appreciate we do not have insurance in place for persons to hike/trek over the property, hence why the
trespass sign was posted.

I am told by the agent that there has been significant interest in the property from conservation groups etc so hopefully
your wishes may come true to have the property put into public hands, perhaps some further prompting from interested
parties may assist this to come to fruition.

PS; I am an avid photographer, so I can appreciate the uniqueness of the property and for all concerned I hope that the
outcome is favorable for the public interest. Feel free to see photos that I have taken of the area at http://www.jaimedormer.com/travel/australia


Yours Sincerely

Jaime Dormer
Director
PSAL Limited