Petition (please sign)

[BJ]

After a meeting with the government and having had numerous people suggest a petition to help fight the new Victorian Planning Laws here it is. Please do your bit and sign, and by the way it will only let you sign once so the petition will be legitimate and can be forwarded to the government.

http://petitionthem.com/default.asp?sect=detail&pet=2706

Thanks for your support

[BJ]

Come on Guys!!

There is still a few of you out there that haven't signed the petition.

Please do your bit. If the time ever comes when we could get an international event in Victoria and we don't get this fixed it might not happen. The same goes for other states, this is the thin end of the wedge.

[PA]

Fantastic effort, now 380 people have signed the petition. Keep it going, get your friend(s) to sign it too.

[BJ]

Hey All

If you want a good read go to http://www.petitionthem.com/?sect=detail&pet=2706

Momentum is finally building as CAMS and many of the 4x4 clubs are picking up on what is going on. It was also nice to see the current NZ and Finland champions also showing support (Mmm I wonder what brand of bike they ride????) The Leongatha MCC collected about 100 signatures at the hill climb a few weeks ago and successfully fended off the council that tried to shut the event down after 30yrs!!!

It looks like The Age is going to do a story on the issue so keep lobbying for support and for those that have sat on their hands............ FFS get off them.........


This is everyone's fight......... I don't want or need to do the job, the sooner it gets to be an issue for the big boys the sooner I can get back to riding my bikes and enjoying life again!!!!


ps... For the locals....... I have also got well and truly peeved with Telstra/Bigpond and the cruddy service they provide to rural Australians on the net! So get a copy of next week's Weekly Times.....

[BJ]

Just a few interesting updates.

The Motorcycle Racing Club of Victoria which runs a number of events including MX, sprint and x country have had a meeting with their local MP and hope to have a chance to get the word out on the TV News as well.

Please visit these websites........

http://www.mcrcv.com.au/

4WD News

Others are getting onboard to make sure this is fixed! The web petition is getting close to 900 signatures along with over 100 from the Leongatha MCC hillclimb. I have been asked to draft a proforma letter to the Minister and this will be put on the http://www.mototrials.com.au website for people to download and send to the Hon. Robert Hulls along with whatever else they want to say (keep it nice). The big issue coming to the fore is if you want hoons off the streets and kids out of the parks and railway line give them something better to do rather than take everything away. It is an election year you know!!!!

[DIESEL DAN]

Good Work BJ

[BJ]

I would just like to thank all those that signed, it stretched far beyond us feet up riders too. The petition is now closed but it served its purpose!

The seat polishers have seen the error of their ways and are trying to fix the problem. Don't hold your breath, this S&*t takes time but the end is in sight. MV and numerous clubs running events have taken some interest and I would like to convey my thanks to the MCRCV for putting money into the fight and the south west DSMRA amongst others for their interest and support. Hopefully this un-intended impact of planning controls will soon be corrected.

Just remember, the world moves without you and if you don't keep up you will be left behind. We need to ensure we have places to ride and compete so FFS don't leave it up to everyone else to do the work for you!

[BJ]

Hi All,

Slightly different but the same topic!

I have just received a CD from the Victorian government letting me know all the wonderful ideas they have for the Otway Ranges and my local bushland. According to the draft plans almost all recreational use of the state forest around the Otway National Park will be limited to such a degree we may as well wrap it in bubble wrap and put it in a cupboard.

Motorcycles will be banned from all but a few poorly maintained roads, all the old tracks (that were once made for four wheel vehicles) that have fallen into disrepair will be closed to bikes, horses, 4WDs and even treddlies. The fact is even a dog owner has more rights to let a mutt go free than a licensed, registered motorcycle rider!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have lived in the Otways, made a living from the forest, contributed to sustainable use and enjoyed riding motorcycles here since 1975. I don't support shutting the gates to everyone other than birdwatchers and those with fungus fetishes in our public lands. As a landowner adjoining the Otways I don't see why it should be closed. I am just as critical of people who show a lack of consideration for other users and the environment as the greenest of greenies but I don’t see why we should all be tarred with the same brush. We have a right to ride, we have a right to enjoy our country, why should it be handed over to the vocal few that want to deny us? Not only are we being denied the right to provide managed and responsible riding areas on private land we are losing the use of vast tracts of public land too. It is time a real effort is made to defend the rights of responsible off-road motorcycle riders.

Everyone seems to think they will always be able to enjoy what they do, but if we don't get off our collective camels (with long ears) I can assure you you'll be riding a wind-up rubber duck in a WELS rated bath tub.

The Draft Recreation and Tourism Access Plan can be downloaded from http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/3otwayfeed.cfm but I urge all Victorian riders to request a copy of the CD containing all the information.

[Raddy]

BJ,
Who are your local MPs (Upper and Lower House)?
This is something you should be getting them to also take up on your behalf. It would also be beneficial if peak bodies made submissions in your favor.