Here is some more info
From what I hear now that the forests have been sold and are now owned by offshore stake holders the gates and locks are not far away, the only acces in the area will be to gazetted roads only. I have also heard that whoever controls the powerline tracks wants to restrict the access as well. Enjoy it while you can!!
Cheers,
this is a bullitin sent to 4wd clubs recently by the 4wd association
For those that are not aware, the forestry area in the Glasshouse Mountains area has been sold by the previous government.
This sale has been for a 99 year freehold lease to Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ).
FPQ being a private company now have concerns with people traversing over their private property and their risk management process involves prohibiting the use of the tracks on the private property in the Glasshouse Mountains area by the public.
Discussions between 4WD QLD and FPQ and QPWS are currently underway.
4WD QLD have asked their clubs and associated members to refrain from driving on tracks in the Glasshouse Mountains area as this may have a negative impact on these negotiations.
FPQ have advised 4WD QLD that the Glasshouse Mountains tracks are private property and trespassers will be prosecuted.
Additionally covert surveillance cameras have been installed in the area to facilitate.
As more information comes to light it will be distributed to our members.
conflicting reports by some say ongoing access was gauranteed as part of the sale
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/land/state/q ... -sale.html
On 30 June 2010, the Queensland Government’s plantation timber business was sold, with Forestry Plantations Queensland Pty Limited (FPQ Pty Limited) now owned by Hancock Queensland Plantations Pty Ltd.
The business has been sold through a 99-year plantation licence agreement. The Crown land under the plantations (around 90 per cent of the total land holdings) has not been sold–only the rights to manage plantation timber production on State plantation forest lands. Ownership of the freehold lands previously owned and managed by Forestry Plantations Queensland has now been passed to FPQ Pty Limited.
These Crown land areas are protected under the Forestry Act 1959. Public access for recreational activities such as sight-seeing, bushwalking, horse riding and car rallies will continue as it has in the past.
Public access to State plantation forest lands
Access to these lands, either by regulatory signage or through specific permits, has always been permitted for a range of activities, including recreation, stock grazing and beekeeping. These arrangements continue notwithstanding the sale of the plantation licence to FPQ Pty Limited.
and this link also
a link to a Forest Stewardship Plan (by Forestry Plantaions Qld) on the web. Its dated September last year. Section 4.7.1 og the Plan refers to the rights of users being retained.
http://www.fpq.net.au/Links/foreststewa ... an2011.pdf
The section of the document from the above link that affects us is below.
4.7.1 Authorised access / activities
FPQ’s Plantation Licence requires that, where
compatible with broader forest management
objectives, it continues to permit existing legal
uses of the areas covered by the Licence. In
addition to grazing, bee-keeping and occupation
permits, other permitted activities include:
• commercial photography and filming;
• scientific permits to conduct research
projects (including scientific collections); and
• recreational activities (some subject to
permits) including:
o forest driving (2WD, 4WD, motor cycle);
o horse riding (including endurance events);
o competitive car rallies;
o fossicking (restricted to Passchendaele
State Forest near Stanthorpe);
o camping (at designated sites); and
o bush walking and nature appreciation.
Activities are managed under various permits in
accordance with FPQ’s visitor management
guidelines, with suitable conditions applying to
protect the safety of permittees and other
legitimate forest users, the commercial viability
of forest operations and the protection of the
environment. Further information is available on
FPQ’s website
If I find out anymore I will post it up here
cheers
Pete
