Free Ranging the Tarkine – An ATV Invasion

Given the recent controversy for the State Government’s intent to reopen some of the off road tracks in the Tarkine, it comes as no surprise to see more ATV (all terrain vehichle) activity in the area in recent times even though it has been widely publicized that these activities are illegal.

As an election plea, the State Liberal government promised their constituency that some of the Tarkine coastal areas would be reopened to vehicles last year. This was subsequently thwarted just prior to Christmas by the Federal Court’s Judge – Duncan Kerr – who ruled an injunction against the reopening of the controversial Tarkine 4WD tracks, pending the outcome of a further hearing this year.

The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre sought the urgent injunction against reopening the tracks, which fall into the National Heritage-listed Western Tasmania Aboriginal Cultural Landscape.

The court was submitted reports and heard evidence of serious damage to Aboriginal sites in the area of the tracks through reckless vehicle activity.

Matthew Groom, Minister for the Environment, Parks and Heritage said – “It was an election commitment and we remain determined to see it implemented in a manner that is respectful of cultural and environmental values.”

Well, here lies the credibility challenge for the State Government to show its responsibility towards the preservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Currently anyone who obtains a compulsory permit for a registered vehicle may travel from Temma to just south of Sandy Cape. There is clear visible signage showing that a special permit is required beyond that.

Over the recent Christmas break I walked a return trip along the entire coastline From the Pieman River to near Sandy Cape. Unsurprisingly I witnessed numerous ATV’s cruising through that prohibited area, some of them not even registered.

It was clearly visible they were still driving over exposed shell middens, up most of the steep dune-fields, and in many cases throughout the bird breeding zones above the high tide. Some ATV’S traveled as far as the Pieman River mouth.

It also appears that these quad bikes have now found an access route inland north of the Pieman River via the Western Explorer Road. And as usual there was not a single Parks official to be seen outside the comforts of their offices.