Offroad-Express

nuts wrote:in case u guys didnt know doc r removing the fourmile bridge due to undermining of the supports at one end wil post a couple of pics leater today

Where is 4 mile? ignorant Nelsonian speaking here...

DOC spend a lot of money demolishing bridges these days and it certainly appears that their enthusiasm is bolstered by the fact that it stops vehicles using areas. There is also a sense of paranoia since Cave Creek.
If it was an old Chinese hut it would be "heritage"and rebuilt, but it's not and not even regarded as our roading heritage.

Out of curiosity is it part of a legal public road? Can we have some info on the location please?

it is just south of charleston abt 30min from westport travelling from westport to charleston then abt 3 min past charleston on the left if that helps its actually called..... four mile road....
hope that helps


not that the bridge removal will close it down just makes it weather dependant

Is this the one?

madaz068
Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:19 pm

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is this the one?

yup sure looks like it

From my checks on maps it does not look like a "legal road" (and not listed in records as that name) and may just be a DOC one. I see what you sat about weather dependent...it looks like an old ford slightly below the bridge.

PeterVahry wrote:From my checks on maps it does not look like a "legal road" (and not listed in records as that name) and may just be a DOC one. I see what you sat about weather dependent...it looks like an old ford slightly below the bridge.

thats rite i think they are old forestry roads but been taken over by doc from what i was told the old ford will soon b the only way accross u cant see the exit on the other side as trees are covering it

Think this is it too is it not?

The NZFWDA has approved that i attend this meeting in CHC. Now who's coming with me. I have already twisted Al's arm and Rick from 4wdacc, anyone else?

Hi everyone,
Dont forget the meeting in CHC tonight with DOC. I will be there with others. IF you need any info call me on 0272554555

Nick

Following these meetings it would be good to get a summary of what four wheelers should be advocating for in terms of the West Coast CMS. There will of course be the general aspect of ensuring that the CMS continues to allow 4x4 access....remember that the "other side" will be arguing against any such use.
Are there areas that are not identified by DOC that would be practical for 4x4 recreational use? This is no time to have "secret" tracks on DOC land, it is essential that all options are presented.

As soon as we get such background from those familiar with the area then we can all get going on creating submissions to reach DOC before Oct 5.

PeterVahry wrote:Are there areas that are not identified by DOC that would be practical for 4x4 recreational use? This is no time to have "secret" tracks on DOC land, it is essential that all options are presented.

Would it be an idea to put a list of tracks used for 4WDing together to present to DOC?
Including among others,
Mt. Greenland
No Name Road
Cock Eye Creek
Waipuna Tunnels
Napoleons Hill
Slab Hut Creek
Waitahu/Montgomeries
Larrys Creek
4 Mile...
etc
etc

That's certainly a good start and although there is a risk that others will look and say there are too many so they can be cut back, it is quite probable that some routes are across private land anyway or are legal roads that DOC should not be addressing. (In saying that, the "General Policy" on which the CMS is drafted around, does push the stopping of unformed legal roads passing through DOC estate....they want to keep us out if they can)

Once a list is compiled, research on the list should identify the routes and areas that need to be pushed for preservation as part of the DOC plans.

four mile road is an old forestry road and parts of it are still maintained by timberlands. The area across the bridge has been handed over to doc and the roads are becoming overgrown with gorse and washed out in places.The old ford is opstream of the bridge and will be usable if tne riveris not flooded. I will aproach the local area manager and get an update on what is happening as i believe this may be part of the areathat has been identified as an appropriate 4wd use area.
cheers fisho.

checked with doc staff at area office. bridge is to be removed and shifted to ahigher use area. they have agreed to reopen the old ford while they have the excavator there for the removal.
cheers fisho.

fisho wrote:checked with doc staff at area office. bridge is to be removed and shifted to ahigher use area. they have agreed to reopen the old ford while they have the excavator there for the removal.
cheers fisho.

ALWAYS GOOD 2 SEE A SILVER LINING HE HE HE

fisho wrote:checked with doc staff at area office. bridge is to be removed and shifted to ahigher use area. they have agreed to reopen the old ford while they have the excavator there for the removal.
cheers fisho.

ALWAYS GOOD 2 SEE A SILVER LINING HE HE HE

I went to the extra meeting on wednesday nite in CHCH representing ORE National 4x4 association. It is clear DOC haven't got the document right and it will need wording changes to clearly define what is meant by a road, the identification of roads after the submissions, and the management of areas by our association ie: road maintenance. I will post up the submission in due course, BUT I encourage all of you to read the document and make a submission. The more they have the less they can ignore us.
Al

spoke to Campbel Robertson from doc on wednesday and he told me they were amazed at the interest from four wheel drive groups. He is in charge of the cms strategy for the west coast. Seemed reasonably possitive about it and acknowledged they would have to have a look at their documenft once the submission period was over.

As promised:
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/forum/submission_west_coast_cms.rtf
and
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/forum/West_Coast_CMS_Map.pdf
Al.

Keep up the good work Al

That submission is not mine, it was given to me by a very concerned and pissed off 4wdriver. Mine is in a similar vein though. We just needed to get it out there so people could do their own submissions. We are runnign out of time and some don't feel they are being represented.
Al

I assume i can show my support of the draft posted by simply downloading the documents signing my name & address at the bottom and then emailing along to westcoastcms@doc.govt.nz ?

I assume i can show my support of the draft posted by simply downloading the documents signing my name & address at the bottom and then emailing along to westcoastcms@doc.govt.nz ?

You got it. That is the whole intention.
Al

I have submitted mine, basically a copy of what Al posted with some changes based on personal experience.

I advise everyone to do the same. Each individual submission (even if its a carbon copy) gives us an extra voice.

I sent one in for the Arthurs Pass DOC one and due to that I receive all info relating to that area, without having to ask for it.

Kind regards

Bill

I have just sent off a copy of Al's submission, with a few small changes, to DOC as well.

I've finally got around to reading the submission offered by Al and commend the effort put into it. A couple of things struck me and one is the comment that DOC General Policy has not changed for 20 years. That's not strictly correct as although the Conservation Act 1987 is largely unchanged, there was a revision of General Policy in 2005. That revision was to provide a basis on which to draft these CMS's.

Although it looks like the author has done a spell check, there are a number of words confused and people may wish to check their versions before sending to DOC.

Well done and an excellent basis for anyones submission. Remember that the readers of these documents will group apparently identical submissions together, so variations are important too.

Peter

All you North Islanders join in and make a submission as well, this may affect any future road trips we run down there ie the one planned for April next year and any future ones and if we support the southerners they will support us when we need it as well. I'm putting one in now.

The submission on available on the forum is not mine. It was done by a guy called John Randle, he is very passionate about 4wdriving and access. I don't want the credit for someone elses work. I just helped him make it available to as many people as possible. And yes you nth islanders should be putting in a submission as well. Mine is in its final stage and I will send over to them tomorrow via email.
Al

The NZFWDA have one available for people to copy and send in aswell:

http://www.liveupdater.com/nzfwda/LiveHotLinks.asp?ArtID=1022578881