I was talking to a ranger the other day and boy oh boy he was very narrow
minded regarding the opening of the forests. He thinks we are all idiots who
are going to rip tear bust his roads and then who will keep up the
maintenance? Behind Copperlode Dam west of Cairns there is a closed road
that only 2 tour operators have the key for and for many years even the road
that was not under lock and key was "permit only" I was horrified to "sneak"
in there one day and find this incredible board walk that MY taxes and yours
had paid for and the only ppl who were able to see it was those on the
commercial tour. That totally sux as my kids would say. Now that it is open
to that point I tell everyone to go take a look at what your taxes had paid
for so that rich tourists could see it - stirring. I am ALL for open
forestry roads  - it is our rights I believe to be able to get about where
and when we want to. Up here there were tracks that had the State Forest
sign on them so even locals never knew that you could actually drive them
but you did need a permit (permit available from the office Mon to Fri). I
have known a few ppl who actually got caught driving in there and copped the
fine. One poor unfortunate just parked his car inside the fenceline and
walked - he got fined which was a bit steep as to park it outside the fence
it was in clear veiw of the main road.
These roads make great cycling too which is fun
Kathy