Are we being fenced out of ACT Forests!

I have been a recreational user of forest, river and lakeside facilities west of Canberra since 1971, and have been aware of the existence of the Hash House Harriers who through their chalk trails I know to have some overlap with my haunts.

I am fed up with a policy of ACT government agencies notably ACT Forests to contain the public. The policy has been active a decade or so now and has seen the closure of Flint's Crossing, dirt bike parks off Uriarra Road, closure or hindered access of numerous picnic and barbeque sites in Bluett's, North Coppin's Crossing, Blue Gums, Lower Mount Stromlo west of turnoff from Cotter Road, Greenhill's and Deek's Forests. The Hash House Harriers I have no doubt would be able to confirm and add to this list.

Using the excuse of the January 2003 bushfires, ACT Forests began their closure actions on Bluett's Forest and the Lower Molonglo River below Coppin's Crossing some 12 months later. In mid January 2004, a 5-strand barbed wire fence was erected across the river floodplain some 600 metres or so downstream from the Coppin's Crossing car park. Initially it was asserted by ACT Forests that the riverside trail was unofficial, access was dangerous due to bushfire damage (12 months later!) and could not be reopened due to public liability issues. After much protest on my part a small gate was inserted in the fence line some two months after the fence was erected.

During the period 30 April to 1 May 2004 NSW fencing contractors appropriately names 'Patterson Rural Contracting' cast their curse on the Lower Molonglo by erecting fencing immediately behind the Coppin's Crossing car park and across the Molonglo River. The contractors were well aware that there may be some protest against there actions on behalf of ACT Forests. The first day Friday preparatory work was done by junior workers who did not know their assignment until the same morning. Saturday the second day several Patterson vehicles and a ACT Forests vehicle with around a half dozen burly rural fencers were at the site. Their response to protests were 'Don't take it out on me mate we are only doing the job we have been directed to do?' The Canberra Times, WINnews and ABC were all contacted on Friday 30 April 2004 but none actively responded, so that the fencing contractors were able to left out a yell of delight when the final section of the barbed wire stretching across the Molonglo River was put in place.

I have met many users of the Lower Molonglo River corridor from all areas of Canberra - Gungahlin, Belconnen, Woden, Weston Creek, North and South Canberra and Tuggeranong. I have also encountered interstate and international motoring tourists at Coppin's Crossing. Although I am from Weston Creek I have found that the most numerous users are from Belconnen, I therefore recommend that the plight of the Lower Molonglo River be brought to the attention of the Belconnen Community.

It will only be through concerted protest by an increasing number of people and organisations that the trend of shutting down recreational assets can reversed.

Paul Grenfell

Weston 25 May 2004