Hi All
I have been reading this thread with interest. Being originally from
Ireland I have no experience in access permits required for what appears
to me to be a public access area. I know the land is 'granted' to the
local inhabitants and if it was the size of a suburban block I would
completely understand - I don't want strangers wandering around in my
back yard either.
But we're not talking about a quarter acre or even a 10acre block here
are we? with cattle? or crops? We're talking about a hunting ground of
vast proportions with no facilities - it's not even a reasonable
comparison. It seems to me to be a ridiculous situation. Is this not a
land for all Australians?
I can appreciate that the locals don't want people wandering anywhere
all over the place possibly disturbing the game or interfering with
their sacred sites, but visitors would stick to the few established
tracks across what seems to be a wilderness, wouldn't they? The amount
of time anyone from 'outside' would spend there would be severly limited
anyway and, with agreement, visiting vehicles could avoid settlements to
reduce any impact on the inhabitants.
Personally I see this as an outrageous outcome - that 80 or so birders
can be denied access to a huge area of virtually uninhabitated
countryside when a once in a lifetime opportunity is presented. There is
no intention to damage the environment - far from it, injure, capture
or destroy wildlife - the very opposite, or inhabit, stay or live in the
area for more than a couple of days.
The only outcome from my perspective, I'm afraid, is a further loss of
respect or interest in understanding the aboriginal beliefs and claims.
I'm sure there are those of you who will claim to understand their
fears, appreciate their needs and recognise their beliefs. Sorry - this
is an all Australian land (incidentally I am an Australian citizen too)
and my hard earned taxes go towards supporting communities like this.
While I do recognise their need for isolation and the opportunity to
lead a way of life they feel they are entitled to, barring access to
other travellers under the conditions decribed is just plain wrong. In
fact being able to deny access to anyone to what should be at least a
public thoroughfare is wrong.
Incidentally what if you were 'lucky' enough to score the first type of
permit - the drive-only-don't-stop permit - and you needed to go to the
toilet? I'm not being funny, in reality its a stupid proposition - just
think about it for a minute....
By the way I had no plans to go, being unable to afford it because my
taxes are so high.....
Colin
Brisbane
--
Colin Reid
So many birds, so little time......
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