Vandy Road

[Brown Smurf]

Have some pictures from Vandy Road earlier this year.

[Brown Smurf]

more

[Brown Smurf]

and more

[Brown Smurf]

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[mudlva]

is the huge slip still there a K or so in from the eastern side

[Brown Smurf]

and more

[Brown Smurf]

Did not see a slip but photos 5 and 11 show where the bank has been blown out (purposly aparently) which is as far as we went. A couple of more capable trucks could probably get through that part.
The track is really overgrown.
The entrance to the track is easy with a winch in and out.

Karl

[Brown Smurf]

Entrance is photos 1,7 and 9

[bryandc3]

heard the guy who lives near the entrance was ant 4wd'ing, guessing you didnt come across him/

[Brown Smurf]

They don't like people using the track hence the dug out hole at the start and the blown out bank later on.
The house is associated with a local bike gang.
After the other truck turned around they were confronted by the guys saying they shouldn't go up there because it was un-passable.
We waved to them on our way home but they just stare at ya.
I've heard the land owner may be gettin the land taken off him for some IRD/police issue so I wouldnt imagine they would have anything to hide up there now.

[Swamped]

I know of numerous vehicles being intentionally damaged up there over the years. Diffs shot up when parked etc...
I'm surprised you were just told it was unpassable, we've been told we were trespassing.

I was under the impression that the house up there burnt down not too long ago though so maybe there isn't as much of a presence as there once was?

You are right though, the neighbours don't like 4x4's and the track is super overgrown. Would be cool if it was opened back up a bit.

[Brown Smurf]

Possibly because the house looked pretty new.
Well there was 2 of them and 7 of us. They also had kids there.
I wouldn't listen to them anyway unless they pulled out a persuader because we all know they have no right to stop trucks driving the paper road.

Definatly wouldn't leave vehicles parked there. Better off leaving them on a near by farm or the Marae down the road.

[Brown Smurf]

A bobcat is all you need to fill the hole that stopped us.
Plenty of small stones (Gap 40?) right beside it.

[Crash bandicoot]

handy tip number 1001.

Next time you go offroading in a "hostile" area get some stickers made up in green say department of conservation...

another good one is a simple sticker that says MAF, as druggies etc wont even look at you as MAF has powers of arrest.

[mudlva]

A bobcat is all you need to fill the hole that stopped us.
Plenty of small stones (Gap 40?) right beside it.

Who owns the gap 40

[Brown Smurf]

Its not real gap just some small stones right beside the hole. If ya dug the bank out and filled it with the gap at the bottom the water wouldn't wash it out. Even some small culvert pipe would be good.
This isnt the hole at the start but the one that stopped us further in so it belongs to nobody.
I think the hole at the start should be left as it is as its a bit of fun.

I like the DOC idea!

[xj]

Good to see someones made use of the track again.

Last time I was there the entry hole had a submerged concrete filled 44 gallon drum with reo sticking out of it.

Musta been a change in the guard up there. Really was quite a shame that headlight and windscreen were getting broken, tyres slashed etc once upon a time. It really wasnt worth the conflict to go in guns blazing for most.

Perhaps a community effort could be made to get a few of us up there with shovels etc and have a crack at sorting something out we can all use, and look after.

Mark

[UBZ]

Looks like the locals have taken further steps to stop people using this legal unformed road .
Hole was empty , but a new wire fence has been erected .

Anybody know weather this road has been officially stopped recently? or is this just another example of an illegal road obstruction ?

had a guy give us a funny look for investigating , but no body came out to confront us.



Looks like they have been lighting fires on the road edge and one got away on them.

Think its time for us to claim back one of the few 4wd tracks we have left?

[Swamped]

I was under the impression the police are still involved with the property and that it was possibly going to be sold due to it being purchased with illegally procured finances. All just local chinese whispers possibly but thats what I've been told. Local doc office will be able to tell you about the status but I've not heard anything to support its been closed.

[Mudde1]

I was under the impression the police are still involved with the property and that it was possibly going to be sold due to it being purchased with illegally procured finances. All just local Chinese whispers possibly but that's what I've been told. Local doc office will be able to tell you about the status but I've not heard anything to support its been closed.

This has nothing to do with DoC. They have no control over public roads. local council will be able to tell you status of the road and why it is blocked, they are unlikely to admit it is blocked illegaly, but it appears that way. Unfortunately just because it is illegally blocked, that dose not give anyone the right to remove the blockage. you need to lay a formal complaint with the council first.
Tony.

[UBZ]

Its a legal Unformed Road according to Wamms

Might have to arrange for a police man to be present and go and rip out the obstruction.

[Swamped]

I realise they have no direct control however considering it goes into doc land and doc contractors were using it, it is of interest to them and they know the local dealings better than anyone out there. Spoke to one of em last night regarding it and they're gonna look into it. It is still meant to be open apparently.
Any complaint laid would have more substance coming from them than from me.

[micahb]

I use to use this track coming up from makomako road. big slips down that end now. can barely walk it. can get around those if your friendly with local farms. can also use plateau road entrance, but havnt been down there equally as long. Now to go up there i use shea road as you can get past slips, but need to go over private land for this. Id be keen to bring a spade and axe and give it a once over so i can use it again.

[dan.c]

word is the guy got arrested... anyone know what the go is, was thinking of taking the bike for a bit of a nosy - my parents live just down the road

[hautapu]

The situation - the farm was being used to manufacture P. The ministry of justice confiscated the farm and the owner has gone to jail. He received a sentence of around 20 years. The farm has since been sold to new owners. While it is not as bad as it once was, there is still problems. My recommendation would be to let the area cool down, the police are still monitoring the situation . Hopefully, it should be fine in 6 months time.

[turoa]

Anybody been up to Vandy road recently/know if theres still problems up there?