I take people's points about unreasonable behaviour in relation to
private property, but I would be slightly more sympathetic if I had
had better experience of courtesy in the bush (on public property)
than I have had. I think we all know what I mean: harassment (verbal
or from vehicles), insults, threatening behaviour, loud/loutish
behaviour with intent to disturb &c &c
Also of note is the habit of rural landowners on blaming damage to
property on 'city-folk', when it's obvious that city-folk wouldn't
waste their time driving hundreds of kms just to vandalise a rural
property. It's obvious that in 99% of the cases it's the rural folks'
own footloose and feckless offspring that are doing it!
John Leonard
On 21/01/2008, Greg & Val Clancy <> wrote:
> As someone who lives in a regional area (north coast NSW) and spends a fair
> bit of time on private property I can't help but strongly support Russell's
> comments. What appears to some people (?city people) as a minor issue can
> be important to rural landowners. There was a letter in our local paper,
> the 'Daily Examiner', a few days ago from a local landowner who had
> experienced a visit from a person who wanted to get close to the Clarence
> River to photograph the flood waters. This person did not seek permission
> and departed leaving the gate open. This could have resulted in a couple of
> horses straying on to the Pacific Highway and who knows what the result may
> have been. Luckily the landowner noticed that the gate was open and shut
> it before the horses bolted.
>
> Private landowners own most of the biodiversity in Australia and we need to
> seek their assistance in conserving it. We should respect their private
> property rights and not jeopardise a good working relationship with them. I
> have had permission refused by a few local people who are afraid that I will
> find something rare and then 'National Parks' will take their land off them.
> This is irrational thinking but I have had to respect their opinion and have
> not ventured onto their land, even though it would have assisted my research
> into the Black-necked Stork to do so.
>
>
> Good (and respectful) birding
>
> Greg Clancy
>
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