New Fraser Island safety rules

[paulh]

In the Courier Mail (13 Sep 2009) there is a item about the new Fraser Island safety rules.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...5-3102,00.html

A extract:

restrictions banning troop carriers and loading luggage on top of vehicles on the island will be in place by Christmas, according to Transport Minister Rachel Nolan.

Ms Nolan said the seven-seat limit and top-load prohibition would become effective as soon as signage was erected by Christmas.

Those caught breaking the rules face a fine of up to $4000 or six months' imprisonment.

End extract

[carvesdodo]

Looks like Qlds Transport Minister needs the same sort of treatment the NSW one got over the suspension issue.

Maybe suggesting a ban on euro backpackers hiring 4wd vehicles wiould be a better solution.

[Auscruiser]

I think you will find that the new rules only apply to the Hire 4WDs.

[cmohr]

Gee I wonder how many of these Tag along tour operators are going to have a silent partner or council memeber who just happens to be a "Friend"

Does that mean anyone who wants to drive the island Has to go on one of thsese tag a long tours. And have they thought about the Nothing on the roof bit, that sgoing to mean an increase in trailers on the island by around 10000%.. Whats that going to do to track on the island.


Just ban the bloody troopys full of 12 pissed unexperienced backpackers. Put em in tourbusses, and only take them to certain parts of the island.


Looks like the people with the money and power and special friends are going to get their way with Fraser and eventually ban all private vehicles, and make it so as the only way to see this "National Park" which should be freely accesable to all Australians, is to pay a privately owned operation big dollars and thell have a monopoly on the place.

[BrisNut]

Well I should hope so, I wish they would publish more info, is a fishing rod on the roof a rooftop load?

[BigRedXJ]

Perhaps instead of limiting seat numbers and luggage capacity the qld transport minister should look into options on limiting the drivers/hire vehicles.

Would you all not think it to be a better idea to govern the vehicles so max speed is 70 to 80 kph, and enforce that all hire mobs make sure that tourists (and even residents of australia) either hold a current drivers licence and have undertaken a 4x4 and/or tactical driver training course.

Also not to mention regular loged servicing should be enforced and strictly supervised on these hire 4x4's.

Speed, lack of driver knowledge and experience is the problem, not the amount of people or luggage a vehicle can carry.

In fact manny of these troopys have been in constant operation on mine sites filled up to the hilt with gear and passengers.

[Simsy85]

Originally Posted by carvesdodo

Looks like Qlds Transport Minister needs the same sort of treatment the NSW one got over the suspension issue.

Maybe suggesting a ban on euro backpackers hiring 4wd vehicles wiould be a better solution.

People want more than 7 people in a 4WD???

Thats insane! I try to keep mine to two people max when i'm on the beach!

sorry Carves, I think your way off on this one