Thread: Woodhill Ballot

Originally Posted by XXXDMCXXX

I do a bit of mountain biking out there so I know a few spots within the bike park where the deer hang out, have seen some good scrapes in the past. These photos were shot on a small block right next to the park, there is a marked walking track you can follow that keeps you very close to the bike park boundary and is still used by walkers a lot by the looks of it. Where that sits in the bigger scheme of things I'm not sure, I definitely wouldn't be rocking up to areas where there isn't already established frequent public use and going for a wander around. Allgood, interested to hear your opinion on this?

The new owners recognise the value of Woodhill to the region and have stated this. However the problem lies in making the public aware that it is now private property and what has happened in the past under the previous 'regime' no longer applies.

Put yourself in their shoes. You win lotto and acquire a large piece of public land which has had a history of public use. Public perception is that 'We have always had access and done this...........' so the public is either not aware of the change in ownership.............or simply choose not to acknowledge it and continue doing the things they did before. You end up with a whole lot of conflicts as people come onto YOUR land and do things that you may not agree with.

As the landowner, you need to take steps to 'realise' the value in the land you just purchased and maximise 'returns' on your investment. The 'official' recreational activities like the bike park, horse trekking, 4wd park etc are your income. You may wish to develop other financially viable operations.
Would you, as landowner, allow general public access to your property without permission being granted?

The term you use above ' frequent public use' no longer applies. It is PRIVATE PROPERTY................and I don't know of any law that gives you as a member of the public, the right to enter someone elses land and do what you want. ( not having a go at you personally btw...........its just that the public perception of Woodhill has to change drastically)

Like any other private property, an approach to the landowner is a requirement to gain access.

Originally Posted by Allgood

The new owners recognise the value of Woodhill to the region and have stated this. However the problem lies in making the public aware that it is now private property and what has happened in the past under the previous 'regime' no longer applies.

Put yourself in their shoes. You win lotto and acquire a large piece of public land which has had a history of public use. Public perception is that 'We have always had access and done this...........' so the public is either not aware of the change in ownership.............or simply choose not to acknowledge it and continue doing the things they did before. You end up with a whole lot of conflicts as people come onto YOUR land and do things that you may not agree with.

As the landowner, you need to take steps to 'realise' the value in the land you just purchased and maximise 'returns' on your investment. The 'official' recreational activities like the bike park, horse trekking, 4wd park etc are your income. You may wish to develop other financially viable operations.
Would you, as landowner, allow general public access to your property without permission being granted?

The term you use above ' frequent public use' no longer applies. It is PRIVATE PROPERTY................and I don't know of any law that gives you as a member of the public, the right to enter someone elses land and do what you want. ( not having a go at you personally btw...........its just that the public perception of Woodhill has to change drastically)

Like any other private property, an approach to the landowner is a requirement to gain access.

Did you win lotto?

Originally Posted by Allgood

The new owners recognise the value of Woodhill to the region and have stated this. However the problem lies in making the public aware that it is now private property and what has happened in the past under the previous 'regime' no longer applies.

Put yourself in their shoes. You win lotto and acquire a large piece of public land which has had a history of public use. Public perception is that 'We have always had access and done this...........' so the public is either not aware of the change in ownership.............or simply choose not to acknowledge it and continue doing the things they did before. You end up with a whole lot of conflicts as people come onto YOUR land and do things that you may not agree with.

As the landowner, you need to take steps to 'realise' the value in the land you just purchased and maximise 'returns' on your investment. The 'official' recreational activities like the bike park, horse trekking, 4wd park etc are your income. You may wish to develop other financially viable operations.
Would you, as landowner, allow general public access to your property without permission being granted?

The term you use above ' frequent public use' no longer applies. It is PRIVATE PROPERTY................and I don't know of any law that gives you as a member of the public, the right to enter someone elses land and do what you want. ( not having a go at you personally btw...........its just that the public perception of Woodhill has to change drastically)

Like any other private property, an approach to the landowner is a requirement to gain access.

Cheers Allgood. I think you hit the nail on the head, there needs to be better communication to the general public as to what the new expectation is. I would say there are a lot of people out the, probably a fair majority of Joe public, that would be completely unaware of the changes and what that means to them. That said it was never really a free for all area anyway. I'm happy to jump on my bike and stay within the bike park boundaries (paid up for the year) if I'm just out there to get a photo or two, especially when I come across things like this, no need to go too far...about 20m from one of the main trails.



The fact that set ups like the bike park, Tree Adventures etc, the ballot still have the opportunity to operate is a great thing.