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A survey of Eastern Australian and some other approaches to legislative control of off-road vehicles : lessons and proposals for Tasmania

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posted on 2023-05-27, 01:06 authored by Brown, Ross G(Ross Gordon)
Rapidly changing social patterns and increasing standards of living have brought about pronounced changes in the way in which leisure and recreation time is utilized. This, combined with rapid technological innovation in vehicle capabilities and manouverability, has brought about a dramatic increase in human use pressure on the natural environment. Despite the relatively short time in which the incidence of off-road vehicle impacts have been monitored and documented, there already exists a large body of literature (particularly North American) detailing the adverse and long term impacts of unrestricted vehicle use. That problems involving off-road recreational vehicles in Tasmania occur as regularly as they do suggests that Tasmanian land use management is failing to ensure that recreation vehicles are strictly controlled in confined areas or restricted to properly designed trails. The frustrations of the land manager are continually experienced by the author himself, through personal experience in bushland management with the Parks and Recreation Department, Hobart City Council. Persons caught driving illegally off-road usually protest ignorance of the relevant vehicular restrictions. All, however, indicate a common problem by asking: \where can I legally go?\" That dilemma the author as the owner of an endro motor-bike has also experienced when seeking off-road opportunities. The plethora of Tasmanian legislation dealing with the management of Crown land contains provisions for regulation and control of recreation vehicles. Despite this officers in the land management field are still confronted with enforcement problems. Indications elsewhere are that specific control measures must be implemented. It is argued drawing on lessons from the states of mainland Australia (and elsewhere) that problems posed by off-road recreational vehicles can be best ameliorated by the formulation of strict guidelines for land administering authorities to follow in drawing up regulations for application to recreational use of vehicles on public land. It is also argued that Tasmania should introduce specific legislation possibly based on similar legislation elsewhere in Australia or overseas (perhaps the USA in particular where considerable planning and legislation for off-road recreational vehicles has already been effected). A 'bundle' of strategies is suggested. Initially a policy and strategy with definite objectives must be formulated. Specific legislation while necessary must be backed by determined enforcement and prosecution. Just as important is the role of education in changing community attitudes. Control provisions which foster the latter objective require urgent implementation."

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Copyright 1987 the Author - The University is continuing to endeavour to trace the copyright owner(s) and in the meantime this item has been reproduced here in good faith. We would be pleased to hear from the copyright owner(s). Thesis (M. Env. St.)--University of Tasmania, 1988. Bibliography: p. 139-154

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