Hawkesbaymtb
Scuffed
Joined: May 30, 2002
Posts: 309
Location: Hawkes Bay
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 Posted: Thu 16/Oct/08 5:02pm Post subject: Public Notice - Motorbikes Reported At Pukeora |
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:: Motorbikes Have been reported at Pukeora Hill MTB Park
Pukeora Forest is private land, and in doing so is closed to motorcycles and all forms of motorised use. Anyone found flouting this rule will be reported straight to the police and will be prosecuted.
Public Notice - Thursday 16 October, 2008
Motorbikes, ATV’s and all forms of motorised recreational use of the Pukeora Forest is Prohibited
Fire & Rescue New Zealand and PF Olsen Limited therefore gives official notice at this time that Pukeora Forest is closed to motorcycles and all other forms of motorised recreational use. Those apprehended with motorcycles in or using or riding motorcycles within the estate of Pukeora Forest Park will be prosecuted.
Fire & Rescue New Zealand and PF Olsen Limited has vowed to get tough with any motorbikes or motorcyclists found riding in Pukeora Forest Park.
The action comes after a weekend of reports that motorcyclists were using the mountain bike trails at Pukeora Forest. Fire & Rescue New Zealand Rural Fire Officer Simon Osborne says that he wants both mountain bikers and walkers to join in and 'stop' any motorcyclist seen using the forest. He added "The actions of a few irresponsible motorcyclists last weekend could have had serious safety consequences to the safety of the estate and other forest users.We are taking a tough line against this and are fully committed to stop it from going any further.
"The safety factor for mountain bikers and walkers is obvious, but we are also very concerned that all the hard work done by the Hawke’s Bay Mountain Bike Club could be undone if the mountain bike routes become seriously damaged, not to mention the extreme fire risk and unnecessary environmental damage caused by motorbikes.”
This trail network provides PERMIT ONLY access for recreational opportunities within Pukeora Forest for mountain bikes and orienteering use only. There is also a total ban on all fires in the open within Pukeora Forest. Any smoke sightings should be reported via the 111 system.
"Our message is clear – Motorbikes and all other forms of motorised vehicles are not allowed in Pukeora Forest and anyone found flouting this rule will be reported straight to the police and will be prosecuted.”
The only exception is motorized access is accepted on designated trails to support track maintenance only, as authorised in writing by Fire & Rescue New Zealand and PF Olsen Limited.
We feel there is a need to send a very strong message to those seeking to break the law: 'Continue and you will be prosecuted'. "We now have a powerful and proven enforcement capability. This is not a one-off campaign, but an on-going approach to deal with this dangerous problem." "Walkers and cyclists can be our extra eyes and ears by reporting registration plates of motorbikes or trailers or the vans transporting them to us or the NZ Police."
Simon Osborne said Fire & Rescue New Zealand and PF Olsen Limited were grateful to members of the public who had provided information about illegal motorcycling, and encouraged the public to continue helping them to fight the motorbike menace. "We'd like to thank those members of the public who helped in last week's campaign by providing information. "Any visitors to Pukeora Forest can help by calling us with details of motorcyclists or ATV riders they come across in Pukeora Forest. Although the machines themselves might not have registration plates, they are often brought to Pukeora Forest from town along the stopbank or trailers, so we would appreciate details of any vehicles that people believe have been used to bring motorbikes or ATVs into Pukeora Forest. The public can call Simon at 06.858 5120 in confidence with these details."
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NB: Access into Pukeora Forest (Pukeora Hill MTB Park) is permit only. For mountain bikers this is under the same system as Eskdale MTB Park & Aropaoanui DH Park, thru the HBMTBC.
Next weekend (Labour Weekend) a fence and stile will be built by the HBMTBC at the carpark, to complete the fence around it, securing the forest.
www.hawkesbaymtb.co.nz
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