Tasmania specific bushwalking discussion.
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Tasmania specific bushwalking discussion. Please avoid publishing details of access to sensitive areas with no tracks.
Sat 18 May, 2013 11:02 pm
I went up Van Morey Rd behind Snug Tiers and at the quarry there is a sign saying you could be fined if you carry a chainsaw on the reserve. So I went looking for the regulation and found this:
NATIONAL PARKS AND RESERVED LAND REGULATIONS 2009 - Part 2 wrote:...
(11) A person must not –
(a) use a chainsaw on any reserved land; or
(b) have possession of a chainsaw on any reserved land.
Penalty:
Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
(12) Subregulation (11)(b) does not apply if the chainsaw is in a vehicle that is moving on a road that does not terminate on reserved land.
I occasionally carry a chainsaw around with me, especially if I'm heading somewhere where I am likely to come across fallen trees on the road. Didn't know it was illegal. Does anyone else pack a chainsaw?
Sun 19 May, 2013 8:20 am
Terminate on reserved land...
Tricky.
We bought a saw specifically to put in the back of the vehicle in the event that a tree might fall across the road whilst we are in there, so as to allow us to be able to get out again.
Seems we can't take it beyond about the Devils Gullet turnoff if we are going anywhere near Walls / Lees / Arm River / Bill & Myrtle / Grail Falls etc etc.......
Guess I will need to pack a generator and power saw instead!
Sun 19 May, 2013 8:33 am
For the security of the saw while you're walking, and now yourself legally, just make sure the chainsaw is concealed. It's pretty unlikely your vehicle will be randomly searched for contraband chainsaws. I would rather risk a fine than be trapped up a remote road.
I think the whole idea of this legislation is to prevent vandalism by firewood hunters. These people are usually in well used utes (no offence to the many ute drivers out there) with saws etc. visible on the back. It's not often you see a vehicle like this parked at a trail head all day or several days.
Sun 19 May, 2013 8:36 am
Ha ha - click next on that link

What about Wildcare members activity
Sun 19 May, 2013 10:34 am
tasadam wrote:We bought a saw specifically to put in the back of the vehicle in the event that a tree might fall across the road whilst we are in there, so as to allow us to be able to get out again.
Seems we can't take it beyond about the Devils Gullet turnoff if we are going anywhere near Walls / Lees / Arm River / Bill & Myrtle / Grail Falls etc etc.......
Twelve months of so back I came across a tree over the Mersey Forest Rd. I only had the hand saw that day, and it was not a fun job. When I got in as far as Lee's there were cars parked there. That was one trip that prompted me to pack the chainsaw more often.
tibboh wrote:It's pretty unlikely your vehicle will be randomly searched for contraband chainsaws. I would rather risk a fine than be trapped up a remote road.
Agree. I wonder how the "law" would react if they came across you cutting up the fallen tree in a reserve. Surely no one would be fined for removing a danger from a public road? Still, stranger things have happened.
Sun 19 May, 2013 11:12 am
That's all and well, but if you injure yourself when cutting the tree across a road or even worse sustain a fatal injury Parks and Wildlife could theoretically be sued. I am in no way suggesting that you would, it is a possibility that someone would. I know of at least one landowner who once upon a time, long before the era of litigation, let people on to their property to cut wood. This no longer happens for fear of being sued.
Sun 19 May, 2013 12:22 pm
I don't think Parks could be sued by someone who knowingly breaks the law by cutting up a fallen tree causing them to become injured
Sun 19 May, 2013 6:05 pm
If a burglar can sue a property owner, then the sky is the limit.
Personally I wouldn't hesitate to carry a chainsaw up the Mersey and doubt one would be prosecuted if its clearly intended or used for preservation of safety purposes.
But there's always exceptions.
Caveats would be the order of day if tested.
Sun 19 May, 2013 9:33 pm
tibboh wrote:I don't think Parks could be sued by someone who knowingly breaks the law by cutting up a fallen tree causing them to become injured

Um... That's why they have the rules and signs so in theory it is harder to be sued!
Sun 19 May, 2013 11:02 pm
I agree with greyim, the regulation quoted below is the best! So ambiguous!
New item on the bucket-list: to be charged under section 5(b) of The National Parks and Reserved Land Regulations 2009 pursuant to The National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002. Sounds badass, but really all you have to do is fart at the wrong moment or laugh at the expense of the wrong ranger and bang, 20 penalty points, or in normal speak, $2600.
5. Offensive behaviour
A person must not, on any reserved land –
(a) behave in a violent, riotous, offensive or indecent manner; or
(b) insult or annoy any person.
Penalty:
Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
Mon 20 May, 2013 8:31 am
doogs wrote:That's all and well, but if you injure yourself when cutting the tree across a road or even worse sustain a fatal injury Parks and Wildlife could theoretically be sued.
On what grounds?
Mon 20 May, 2013 9:26 am
Strider wrote:doogs wrote:That's all and well, but if you injure yourself when cutting the tree across a road or even worse sustain a fatal injury Parks and Wildlife could theoretically be sued.
On what grounds?
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=personal+injury+wh ... +property#
Mon 20 May, 2013 9:46 am
doogs wrote:Strider wrote:doogs wrote:That's all and well, but if you injure yourself when cutting the tree across a road or even worse sustain a fatal injury Parks and Wildlife could theoretically be sued.
On what grounds?
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=personal+injury+wh ... +property#
Not what I meant, but cheers anyway.
Mon 20 May, 2013 11:01 am
I wonder if you could wander the OLT like in the photo, claiming you were using the track as a through route to a Derwent Bridge??

- chainsaw.jpg (14.21 KiB) Viewed 8113 times
Sun 26 May, 2013 6:27 pm
So funny. Chainsaw 'might' live in the toolbox of our trailer
My best friends lived on a rough dirt road coming up from Wombeyan Caves (NSW)
When their 3rd chld was expected they had a checklist for things to have ready to take to hospital
At the top of the list was 'chainsaw'
For when there's a tree down on the road out of the vallley on a rough night.....
Sun 26 May, 2013 9:02 pm
I carry a chainsaw in the car always now. A couple of years ago 3 mates of mine went in to the walls mid week and on the way out a large tree had fallen across the road. They were stuck there for 36 hours before one of their parents drove out looking for them. What the parents found was a land rover balancing on top of a large tree (the boys tried to make a ramp to get over the top). After the parks guys got a chainsaw on site, problem solved!
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