Shortly after the 9/11 disaster, COG had an outing planned at Campbell Park and advertised in GangGang.The information provided reminded those attending not to forget their binoculars.
I received a phone call from someone in the bureaucracy informing me that we could not go into Campbell Park with binoculars and ideally not at all.
After a long chat and him referring matter elsewhere we were given permission to do our walk.
It seemed that the spooks' monitoring systems covered a very wide range to pick up "binoculars" in an insignificant publication like GangGang.
Joan
On Sun, 17 Jul 2022 at 11:21, David Rees via Canberrabirds <> wrote:
Was in Campbell Park yesterday, and I usually wander round in there sometime over most weekends. The signs mentioned are the same ones that have been there for some years now, wording to me does not appear to have been changed. The overflow carpark is currently
looked (probably not currently needed with WFH). Indeed, I have parked in the regular carpark during offices hours recently and there is plenty of space away from the building. Yesterday I parked as usual at the northern end of the regular carpark, walked
into the woodland along the tracks towards the Horse gate thing and then crossed into CNP beyond. Things were as normal. There has however in recent months been problems with 'Sovereign citizens'/'Cookers' thinking it is their right to camp in there and in
CNP beyond and some have destroyed log barriers to drive in. So I suspect the area is being 'watched'. People commonly walk, run and ride bikes through there as normal and there is a marked signed horse trail through there. If my memory serves me right,
those big nasty signs appeared after there was a spate of firewood stealing from the woodland there, though do not quote me on that, as I have no actual knowledge as to that was the reason for them.
David
On 15/07/2022 3:53 pm, Nick Payne via Canberrabirds wrote:
The same signs are at most of the entrances to Duntroon, but I've been regularly entering Duntroon to cycle up Mt Pleasant for more than 40 years, and have yet to be accosted while doing so...
On 15/07/2022 11:43, Geoffrey Dabb wrote:
Below is my message from 2017. The reference to punishable offences is now superseded by the Commonwealth Criminal Code and amendments to the Defence Act. I have not checked to see whether the wording on the signs has been updated.
However, I think it is unlikely that a person who is only birdwatching would be at risk of being charged with an offence.
Accepting that the land in question is ‘defence premises’ under the Defence Act, that Act confers powers on a duly appointed guard to stop, question and search people on the land. Given frequent changes in personnel, it is not unlikely
that a birdwatcher will be challenged by a newly appointed guard, fresh from their briefing about the status of the land and their powers, and unaware of the access history. They might not even know what a birdwatcher is. If this happens it would be best to
behave politely and avoid an unnecessary confrontation.
Ann that sign has been up for at least 5 years, but I’ve never seen or heard of anyone being approached by Defence security etc. This includes when leading the annual November Nest Workshops with up to 30 participants. Regards
Jack Holland
From: Canberrabirds <>
On Behalf Of Ann Eldridge via Canberrabirds Sent: Thursday, 14 July 2022 1:42 PM To: Subject: [Canberrabirds] Campbell Park
A friend just went out to there to take a few photos & it says trespassers will be prosecuted, area is closed with barriers. Is this permanent or would it just be an Army exercise? Does anyone know please?
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