Sweetwater Fishing Forums
General Category => Fishing Reports => Topic started by: Editor on August 08, 2012, 07:58:21 PM
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Ok Folks. It appears that a local landowner who wishes to see this historic public access point shut to the world are still bleating to anyone who will hear them trying to get this road closed to everyone except them for all eternity.
Tactics being used are claims that kayakers and anglers are:
- leaving rubbish all over the place including nappies
- damage to the river banks from kayaks and cars
The attempt it to claim the moral high ground while claiming to be concerned for the environment. YET, at the very same time an inspection of the site shows:
- cattle are freely walking into the river at random which caves in river banks
- cattle being permitted to defecate in our drinking water
- adjoining land owner driving their own cars & tractors down the banks of the river & through the shingle crossing
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All the while the TWO fences arrected across the road are still there. They top fence had a gate put on it to appease council. This gate appears to have been intentionally put in a position away from the old road track going down to the river so that it was as hard as possible for anyone to drive down to a point where the second illegally placed fence blocks further access anyway.
Can we ask that everyone that accesses the Brisbane River via Harpeng Road post a report on the state of the site. Include any further damage to vegetation noted, also note any rubbish noted on the site. Pictures are valuable evidence to refute the lies being written about the public who access this important site. Be honest in your report.
If you do see any rubbish, please pick it up. ALSO, please drive slowly past local houses to keep noise and dust levels down. As always, we need to clearly demonstrate that recreational anglers, kayakers etc that access this site do so in a responsible and environmentally caring manner.
Below we have attached images supplied to us by concerned members showing actual riparian vegetation vandalism carried out on the site. Images clearly show native trees cut down, and it looks as if these same trees have been used for fence posts. Photos were taken in May 2012.
No rubbish was noted and no damage from cars or kayaks noticed.
Please add your own reports / updates here.
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I intend to use this access a bit soon, so I will take pictures when I go in each time if you want for evidence of no rubbish left by kayakers. Steven M and I toured the area a couple weeks ago and we saw those fences, pity the upsteam fence covers the area where Steven and Dave went to the trouble of making a launch area.
Oh and I will give them a wave every time I pass...
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Place was clean two weeks ago.
No single bit of rubbish anywhere.
Can I also ask if anyone does go down there, please dont park in front of any gates to restrict access to their property. There is enough room to park down there without doing that.
If you think there is not enough let me know and I will make the area larger and flatten some more grass by driving over it.
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I only seen rubbish on one occasion 3 empty lure packets left by a careless angler nat far from the waters edge. I was accused of parking to close to a gate, but I left room wider than the gate.
Dino
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we were down at the harpeng road access today, not knowing that it was "private property". Only there about 10 minutes when the apparent "land owner" came down and asked us to leave because we were trespassing and said he would call the police. Is this true? The actual gate that we had to climb over did NOT say no tresspassing but once over that gate, there was a SIDE gate that said Private Property. Since when is the river bank private property?
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This bloke is full of it !! He has a long history of verbally abusing and scaring people off . Let him call the cops, he hasn't got a leg to stand on and they shall inform him not to waste their time.
September the 1st is a Saturday, I hope plenty of people turn up to launch from there then.
Cheers,
Dave.
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Yeah we thought that was the case but the council wasn't open to call today so we cldnt verify. Do u know if it is ok to walk all the way along the riverbank to fish there?
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Yeah we thought that was the case but the council wasn't open to call today so we cldnt verify. Do u know if it is ok to walk all the way along the riverbank to fish there?
At the moment it is closed bass season, so really there should be no fishing there until the 1st of September. Walking the bank you would be on private property except where the road reserve is.
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WHAT CAN YOU DO?
DERM
Email a complaint to slam-ipswich@derm.qld.gov.au (slam-ipswich@derm.qld.gov.au?subject=Harpeng Road - Wivenhoe Pocket. Reference 2012/000758)
Subject: Harpeng Road - Wivenhoe Pocket. Reference 2012/000758
Local Council
Then email and phone your complaint to Somerset Regional Council
Subject: Harpeng Road River Access
MAYOR
Mayor Graeme Lehmann
M 0419 799 770
glehmann@somerset.qld.gov.au
DEPUTY MAYOR
Cr Daniel (Dan) Hall
M 0438 154 837
dhall@somerset.qld.gov.au
Cr Helen Brieschke
M 0438 149 954
hbrieschke@somerset.qld.gov.au
Cr James (Jim) Madden
M 0447 181 665
jmadden@somerset.qld.gov.au
Cr Kirsten Moriarty
M 0417 356 517
kmoriarty@somerset.qld.gov.au
Cr Micheal (Otis) Ogg
M 0457 128 000
mogg@somerset.qld.gov.au
Cr Neil Zabel
M 0409 628 825
nzabel@somerset.qld.gov.au
Or click HERE>>> (nzabel@somerset.qld.gov.au;mogg@somerset.qld.gov.au;kmoriarty@somerset.qld.gov.au;jmadden@somerset.qld.gov.au;hbrieschke@somerset.qld.gov.au;dhall@somerset.qld.gov.au;glehmann@somerset.qld.gov.au?subject=Harpeng Rd River Access) and it should email all of the councillors in one go (the subject field should already be filled out for you.
State Member
Also email and telephone the member for Nanango Deb Frecklington
Email nanango@parliament.qld.gov.au (nanango@parliament.qld.gov.au?subject=River Access - Harpeng Road, Wivenhoe Pocket)
Phone 07 4162 1381
Street Address Shop 2/34A Alford Street, Kingaroy Qld 4610
Police
Then, it is recommended that you contact Lowood police to let them know you've been the victim of intimidation & threats. This individual is on record for doing this already.
Lowood Police Station
52 Prospect St, Lowood, 4311
Operating Hours: Mon to Fri 8am-4pm
Phone Number: (07) 5426 1108 (of of hours this number diverts to Ipswich office)
Council have previously advised that if you are approached, threatened or intimidated by any persons at this location, that you should immediately call police on 000
Take your own river access into your own hands by doing the above and you will certainly make a difference.
If more did the above, this issue would have been resolved already.
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Yeah we thought that was the case but the council wasn't open to call today so we cldnt verify. Do u know if it is ok to walk all the way along the riverbank to fish there?
The map supplied to us by the state member shows the road reserve goes straight ahead through the newly constructed fences with the intentionally misplaced gate, straight ahead down past the end of the lagoon, takes a 90 degree right hand turn then goes all the way to the end of the island to a width of approx 10m. Stay on this and you're within the law.
Correspondance from Somerset Regional Council advises that any fences or barriers across your path may be "demolished or moved aside" to allow access, but not removed from the site. We don't support this view, prefering to wait for the process to take its natural course.
If you search further on this site you will find more specific information showing maps.
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I've recently been in contact with the CEO at Somerset, Mr. Robert Bain, try contacting him as well. This landowner has also been reported for video taping children swimming in the river. They had the area as their own private "clothing optional" swimming hole for too long!
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Chaps :OMG
Just coming in on the back end of this post but last time we were down Harpeng rd which was around March, we hit up the farmer who's house was on the right hand side, he is a young guy, I think his name was Andy. We had the courtesy of asking him if we could slide the yaks over his farm gate and access the river.
I was gobsmacked to hear him tells us of some people who cut down his fence!! Hence letting his cattle roam free down to the river etc.......
He also said that if we didn't ask he would have told us to knick off due to the example above.....
I must say that he was a really nice guy and didn't give us any hassle what so ever.......is it the same guy?? or are we talking about the farmer on the left facing the river?
If we can't access the river from there I will be pissed as I won't be dragging a PA12 up heartbreak hill!!!
Bryan
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Intersting story Bryan
dint think anyone that we know of has custany fence.
However, re access just go straight ahead through the gate at the end of the road (not the left or right) and launch your PA 12 there.
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I've been notified by council that the riverbanks are actually public property and the road acces is as we, so apparently I was not breaking any laws. And I was only fishing catch and release.
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Here is the area that IS the road reserve as well for your info.
As previously advised
The road reseve goes staight ahead and once it crosses the river does a 90 degree right hand turn
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s20/Hi-Yo/RoadReserveCloseup.jpg)
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Hi Steve
I just got off the phone with someone in the know and he explained the situation to me.......
By the sounds the young farmer on the right has fallen fowl to the poison from the farmer on the left hand side as they supported the road closure.
My comment about the young farmer telling me about the people cutting down his fence was before I knew that it actually isn't his land, so that is interesting. More to the point I go fishing with my South African mate Brian who is an elderly chap who has a genuine disability (an old war wound) and a heart condition. Heartbreak hill would genuinely kill him.....so if Harpeng road was closed I would be severely peeved off.
I will definitely be writing a letter to DERM to complain about this!!
Cheers
Bryan
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Here is the area that IS the road reserve as well for your info.
As previously advised
The road reseve goes staight ahead and once it crosses the river does a 90 degree right hand turn
([url]http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s20/Hi-Yo/RoadReserveCloseup.jpg[/url])
I have not visited the site yet so my comments may not be valid but looking at the mud map if the disputed fence continued in a straight line with the road alignment and another fence on the other side of the road would not everyone be legal and happy?
Cheers
Ray
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There is now a second illegal fence perpendicular to the road reserve at about the d in road. The farmer on the left of the road built the fences and refuses to remove them. Tony Jacobs is supposed to be in charge of having them removed, however he is living up to his past performances of lying to local ratepayers and passing the buck. His boss seems unwilling to pull rank on him,and they have the Mayor blocked from doing anything. It is a pitiful situation when all levels of authority are ignoring the actions of one greedy perverted individual.
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Going to launch there on September 1st how about an opening day yak social ?
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Going to launch there on September 1st how abot an opening day yak social ?
See you there Steve.
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Looking forward to it Dave bound to be a few there on the day.
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As the owner of a brand spankin' yak, I'd like love to check out all the fuss :)
Norm
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Anybody wishing to contact Somerset Shire Council, please feel free to quote the following reference.
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This arvo there was one mazda utility parked down there and no visible rubbish on the ground.
I noticed that Harpeng road has been recently graded , nice and smooth, pity the council didn't repair the whole road.
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15August
Was one car with trailer parked before the gate.
Inspection of path, track and river bank showed the illegal lower fence still across the road reserve.
No rubbish was seen on the site.
No further damage to riparian vegetation noted.
Water level normal, looked nice and clean for The bass opening.
Just a note for those going there during bass closed season. If you happen to be fined or prosecuted for targeting bass during the closed season, it Will most certainly give ammunition to those who are seeking to have this acces point closed..... Worth considering before you say you're only fishing for forties. Please just make sure you don't get busted... The effects will be felt by others.
Cheers
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Visited site August 22
2 x fences still in place across the road :thumbdown
No rubbish found in car park area or bank to river :tick
Cattle on outside of road reserve observed walking into water, bank damage noted. :thumbdown
Video of site take for verification
Water looking good for Bass Season Opening :thumb
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Rubbish including nappies ????? Maybe he's misconstrued a fish measuring device as a nappy change table !!! No seriously last time I was there the guy to the left was launching his tinny off the back of his ute and had driven right to the water's edge at the end of the lagoon. I think a fourby is going to do more damage than a smooth yak hull. Who's going to supply the marquee,bbq and live band for the open day festival ;D. Cheers Pat.
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I have escalated my complaint to a complaint to the Ombudsman for lack of action by the Somerset Council.
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Dale
one thing that councils really hate is the Ombudsman looking over their shoulder.
Cheers
Ray
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Dale
one thing that councils really hate is the Ombudsman looking over their shoulder.
Cheers
Ray
Yes, and if they did something about a complaint from someone who has spent the last 10 years voluntarily doing somethig for tourism in the region maybe they wouldn't have the Ombudsman to contend with. I can honestly say that since Robert Bain and Tony Jacob joined the Council it is virtually impossible to get anything done. They pat themselves on the back for doing their job, but pass the buck and outright lie to ratepayers. It's a joke.
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I spent some time today talking with a Council representative. The Harpeng Road issue is currently closed as far as Council is concerned. The gate fitted to the first fence is seen as adquate to provide pedestrian access to the river. The second fence is seen by Council as being a DERM issue. To have the matter re-opened we need to put in more complaints to a Councillor or the Mayor. We need as many people as possible to raise complaints especially if there is any reaction from the adjacent landholder to people using the access point. If anyone gets notes on their windscreen, please provide copies of these so that we can show Council. The Ombudsman will not action my complaint as I have not gone through the complete Council procedure and waited my 140 days for a reply.
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I counted at least 17 kayakers using this access point to the river this morning. Parking wasn't a problem. No rubbish at all was seen either on the road or down by the river's edge.
The adjoining landholders have been running their cattle all over the river bank , upstream and over the shingle crossing , which gave the water the appearance of being of very poor in quality in this shallow section of the river. Here's a few pics to see what I mean.
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Took the kids down to Harpeng Road for a look today.
I just pulled of the middle of the road to park when I heard a bad scrapping sound under the car. I stopped straight away and hopped out of the car to find barbed wire had been left on the edge of the track. I will leave it up to your imagination to decide if the wire was left there intentionally or accidentally; either way it was definately irresponsible & dangerous. :thumbdown
Thanks to those helpful kayakers on site who helped get the barbed wire out from under my car and help dispose if it, responsibly this time. :thumb
Lucky neither of my kids were cut by the wire getting out of the car. :thumbdown
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Submitted video taken at Harpeng Road 29 August 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_iR72bgZEQ#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_iR72bgZEQ#ws)
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Hey guys. I'm glad to see the access log, thank you to all that have contributed.
When I first looked into launching the yak in at Harpeng road, I was unaware of the threats and intimidation from one of the farmers. Now that I know this, I will be taking my precautions, but standing by my rights if I am confronted by the man threatening us anglers. I am only seventeen and plan to take my yak down there with a mate this weekend or next. I will be respecting the area, and I thought I might notify the local police, that I will be heading down there, and that if the farmer causing me any trouble, I will be calling them.
From my understanding, at the end of the bitumen/paved section Harpeng road, it turns to dirt, where there is an illegal fence and a gate to one side (intentionally by the farmer) making it harder for access to continue along what is Harpeng road. Being an illegal fence, it is legal for us to take our vehicles through this fence and follow the dirt section of the road, is that correct?
I have had a good look on google earth, and I have an idea of how to get to the river, legally, but I guess it'll all be a lot clearer once I get there.
Will anybody else be launching their kayaks on Saturday the 8th? I plan too be there and wouldn't mind having some fellow anglers there to help me access the area, if they don't mind. I haven't been there before, so I just want to make sure that I will be doing the right thing. I'd be making an early morning appearance, around sunrise.
I'll post back to let you all know if I do indeed go, and I will then keep a tally of other anglers and damage to the area, if any at all, and I'll then give you guys an update of my experience.
Thank you for reading.
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From all I can ascertain, Council are not in favour of allowing people to drive to the river. They know the gate was put in the incorrect position for vehicular access and are OK with it. In other words, they want pedestrian access only from the illegal fence on the road reserve through to the river. I have advised that I have used this access for launching my tinnie for many years but they don't seem to be concerned with that. I guess "my" Council are happy for the adjacent land holder to have the only vehicular access to what is in fact a road. Unfortuately, Deb Frecklington seems to have very little interest in looking at what the problem is. She questioned the fact that I referred to the fences as illegal.
I would advise everybody to be careful of things in the grass adjacent to the track. I have heard of steel pickets being driven into the ground, and now a coil of barbed wire.
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Still paying for wrestling with that barbed wire, well done to Steve to for disposing if it so no one else gets caught up in it .
Cheers
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Still paying for wrestling with that barbed wire,
Cheers
Injury from it? You could get a doctors certificate, forward to council with complaint & contact your solicitor regarding personal damages C:-)
I got one barb that went thru the shoes into the foot but no infection so far :thumb
Well done to those fishos who helped clean up the wire. :Clap)
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Injury from it? You could get a doctors certificate, forward to council with complaint & contact your solicitor regarding personal damages C:-)
I got one barb that went thru the shoes into the foot but no infection so far :thumb
Well done to those fishos who helped clean up the wire. :Clap)
That'll learn me for wearing proper shoes :(
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It's ok luckily I had my safety thongs on :youbeauty
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Did too good a job bundling it up, was going to add it to my cat proof fence. Gave up, going in the recycle bin. Went down in my safety thongs, came back up barefoot, will be bringing my steel caps in future.
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Clean as today.
One (1) small piece of paper.
Item removed.
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I also noticed a empty can of cat food on the top of the gate post post as I walked in, I did intend to get it on the way out but some other thoughtful kayakers who we met on the way out took care of it before me. :youbeauty
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Hey guys. I'm glad to see the access log, thank you to all that have contributed.
When I first looked into launching the yak in at Harpeng road, I was unaware of the threats and intimidation from one of the farmers. Now that I know this, I will be taking my precautions, but standing by my rights if I am confronted by the man threatening us anglers. I am only seventeen and plan to take my yak down there with a mate this weekend or next. I will be respecting the area, and I thought I might notify the local police, that I will be heading down there, and that if the farmer causing me any trouble, I will be calling them.
From my understanding, at the end of the bitumen/paved section Harpeng road, it turns to dirt, where there is an illegal fence and a gate to one side (intentionally by the farmer) making it harder for access to continue along what is Harpeng road. Being an illegal fence, it is legal for us to take our vehicles through this fence and follow the dirt section of the road, is that correct?
I have had a good look on google earth, and I have an idea of how to get to the river, legally, but I guess it'll all be a lot clearer once I get there.
Will anybody else be launching their kayaks on Saturday the 8th? I plan too be there and wouldn't mind having some fellow anglers there to help me access the area, if they don't mind. I haven't been there before, so I just want to make sure that I will be doing the right thing. I'd be making an early morning appearance, around sunrise.
I'll post back to let you all know if I do indeed go, and I will then keep a tally of other anglers and damage to the area, if any at all, and I'll then give you guys an update of my experience.
Thank you for reading.
Count me in and maybe my brother. I've never been done there before but curious to check it out for myself.
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Count me in and maybe my brother. I've never been done there before but curious to check it out for myself.
Awesome mate!
It's no definite just yet. I got for my license on Friday the 14th, and hopefully I get it. The Saturday 15th or Sunday 16th may be easier for me. I can send you a pm to let you know when I'll be down there if you like?
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Sounds good to me!!
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Sunday 9th. Fished for a couple of hours before lunch. 2 undersize Bass. Pam hooked up on a metre of Lungie that put on a pretty good aerial display. Picked up a chip packet and a stubby top in the car park area.
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We have been going to this location for over 25 years when it was locally called Jackson Field, the problems only started when the the new people moved in a few years back; swearing and abusing people for being on "their land" when it is a gazetted road. The fellow came charging down the road one day on his quad bike (not registered) and pulled across in front of our car and began swearing, when asked to not swear in front of the children in the car he did tone down the language, but kept yelling and was very intimidating, it certainly worked as we we too scared to go back there for some time.
This topic here has given us the confidence to go back, thank god sanity appears to be prevailing. So we went down to Harpeng Road today for a picnic, first time for a couple of years when our family used to go there every couple of weeks for a quiet picnic or swim, but cannot drive down where we used to by the new fence across the road that was never there before...???
* No rubbish was sighted on the road way,
* No rubbish was to be seen down at the rivers edge,
* The gate was closed by the last person to go through,
* The difference of the native grasses is evident from the road side of the fence to where the cattle were seen on the other side of the fence. the sloppy mess where cattle cave in the bank is unfortunate & distressing,
* And it was good to go to a quiet spot on the river without being threatened (I guess this topic being bought out in the open may have seen the offenders curb their aggressive attitude)
Thanks to those who have worked to see this location back as a safe public access spot for everyone as it always legally has been and thankyou to the local council for seeing the right thing done. :tick
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One thing we haven't mentioned is the Castor Oil trees that are on the site.
http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&ibra=all&card=S05 (http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&ibra=all&card=S05)
Once the kayak fishing competition is over, who is interested in attending a Working Bee on the site to remove non-native plants / bushes? :?)
It wouldn't take long for half a dozen people to clean the rubbish trees out.
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Fitz I have helped you remove barbed wire from there so why not lend a hand again, I have a chainsaw and willing to help out again :youbeauty
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One thing we haven't mentioned is the Castor Oil trees that are on the site.
Once the kayak fishing competition is over, who is interested in attending a Working Bee on the site to remove non-native plants / bushes? :?)
It wouldn't take long for half a dozen people to clean the rubbish trees out.
Date depending mate
have shiteloads on in the next couple of weeks
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Can help if given notice..we can have a fish afterwards or something
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I have helped remove barbed wire from there so why not lend a hand again, I have a chainsaw and willing to help out again :youbeauty
Great stuff beau. :thumb I doubt a chainsaw will be needed, more likely to just need a machette to take out the Castor Oil bushes, a drop of frog friendly salt solution will stop them reshooting.
Alternative is to dig them out, but that leaves the soil open to errosion. Could contact local land care group for assistance in some native shrubs/plants/trees/grasses to replant in their place....
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Other weeds to be aware of:
Para Grass
This weed was introduced to Australia as cattle fodder & prior to the floods it was a real problem along the Brisbane River. If we stay on top of it we can keep this site free going forward.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urochloa_mutica (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urochloa_mutica)
Lantana
Enough said. There's a bit of it at Shines Road.
http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&ibra=all&card=S03 (http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&ibra=all&card=S03)
Luceana
Another pest plant/tree introduced for cattle fodder. This is growing wild along waterways including the Brisbane River. Have not noted any on this site to date, but it growing unchecked along several local roads and waterways.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucaena_leucocephala (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucaena_leucocephala)
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Site inspected 13 September.
One car parked at side of road, not blocking any gates. :tick
No rubbish observed on road before illegal fence #1, through fence or down to illegal fence #2. :tick
Irrigation pipe still across road at lagoon. :X
No evidence of rubbish, vandalism, fires or damage at waters edge. :tick
River bank firm and dry on road side of the illegal fence :tick , muddy/sloppy mess on the cattle side of the fence. :X
Noted 2 x dogs roaming the road area, one little foxy/JR dog (male) was quite friendly and came to say hello, the other staffyX looking female was not so friendly.
Pictures taken as evidence to support report :camera
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Sunday 16th September we were the last to leave at 12.55 pm no rubbish, no vandalism, gate closed.
Waved to the farmer on the way past and got a bit of a wave back.
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Site report - 17 September 2012
One piece of rubbish (lollie wrapper) found on track up near house , which could have blown from anywhere (picked it up)
Gate closed, but not locked.
No rubbish noted anywhere in car park area or down & beds / banks of the river.
Had it mentioned to me at the kayak event that there were several dead catfish sighted in the river with no obvious signs of handling or injury. Confirmed this today with around 15 dead catfish seen at Harpeng Road site with the majority being seen around the slop where cattle enter the water, however this may be a coincidence with the wind possibly blowing them that way from upstream. No other species were seen to be affected.
Further insection & discussion with council employee at Twin Bridges confirmed more dead catfish in this area as well.
Last week DERM were on site taking water samples, this may reveal some insight into the fish deaths.
Pictures and video taken to support site inspection.
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One thing we haven't mentioned is the Castor Oil trees that are on the site.
[url]http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&ibra=all&card=S05[/url] ([url]http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&ibra=all&card=S05[/url])
Once the kayak fishing competition is over, who is interested in attending a Working Bee on the site to remove non-native plants / bushes? :?)
It wouldn't take long for half a dozen people to clean the rubbish trees out.
Fitz,
I'd be willing to lend a hand if the day falls on one of my weekends off shift.
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My first post on the forum. I was just reading this thread and since I was out there last Sunday, I thought it important to keep adding info. It was my first time out there, but it was a lot of fun and I can tell you it won't be my last. I was there on Sunday 28th October 2012, very early morning. There was a lure packet n the ground. Took it home with me. A couple of cars about. No hassle from the farmer. Generally speaking I was impressed with how clean the area was. It amazes me, how at some places, people have a total lack of respect when it comes to their own rubbish.
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Was out at Harpeng rd again today. (Monday 5th November) No other cars. Just one tiny bit of paper on the ground, and a plastic bottle floating on the river. These were picked up. Got there about 2pm and left about 7.30pm. Gate was locked when we arrived and locked on leaving.
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How's things going down there lately, no problems with property owners? I am planning to have a early session down there on Friday.
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Access is fine we were there last week. We picked up a fair amount of rubbish, the receipt was from Sunnybank... Take from that what you will...... But we managed a few, it was a tough day..
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Access is fine we were there last week. We picked up a fair amount of rubbish, the receipt was from Sunnybank... Take from that what you will...... But we managed a few, it was a tough day..
I went down on xmas eve for a morning fish. There was abit of rubbish down but access was fine. We fished for about 2 hours and i only manage a couple of hits on the surface but no hook ups.
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Yep, fishing seems pretty tough there at the moment. Went down yesterday arvo and fished from about 4 - 7pm for not a touch. Plenty of mullet activity on the surface, but not a bass about. Would the bass all be further upstream at this time of year? Or is it just my bad mojo? Area was nice and clean. Bankside vegetation is getting quite thick due to the hot weather and those few recent showers. Fairly bare and eroded on farmer brown's side of the fence as usual.
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Just a bit of an updat eto those that put a objection to the road closure for Harpend rd.
I recieved this email today.
Our Ref: 2012/00XXXXX
Mr MXXXXXXXXX
Reference is made to your email of 6 March 2012 regarding the above matter.
The Department wishes to advise that investigations into the application for the temporary road closure of part of Harpeng Road, Wivenhoe Pocket have been finalised and it has been decided that the application be refused.
Regards
XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX
Land Officer, Land Management, Ipswich
Department of Natural Resources and Mines
Telephone: 3884 XXXXX Fax: 38XXXXXXX
Email: xxxxxx.sxxxxxx@dnrm.qld.gov.au
PO Box 864, Ipswich Q 4305
Level 1, 114 Brisbane Street, Ipswich
So a win for us fisho's
So may I ask that we look after the area, keep the place clean. What you take in, take out. If you see some rubbish, will it hurt to pick it up yourself to dispose of when you get home.
Dont give them a reason to close our access to the river.
Cheers
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Must have been a bulk mail out........
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I received the same...
Congratulations to those took the time to write, ring and email their objections; natural justice prevails. :youbeauty :yourock :Clap)
Those who didn't... :Oops) well I'm sure you will at least give a moments thought to those who did, if you ever visit this important access point.
Now, to have those illegal fences attended to.....
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Yes recieved my reply this arvo, good to see common sense has prevailed. As commented it is up to us to keep this area clean, as far as illegal fences go if someone was to injure themselves on one, where would the landholder stand legally?
Cheers Andrew
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I was stoked to receive that email and whooped for joy! :Clap)
Haven't been down in a while as I have been away down south to Ceduna for the past 7 weeks chasing KG's but will have to change that soon. :thumbsup
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Had a crack at Harpeng Rd yesterday. Holy cr@p, anyone got a slasher? The grass has nearly taken over the parking area. The gate needed a good push to overcome the undergrowth. The pre-flood (second time) launch spot is a no go as it is still under water. Can launch a bit to the right albeit rather muddy. I slipped in the slick, silty mud on the way down too. River level still up a bit, with flow going through the corner of the normally land locked area across from the launch spot to meet up with the main river just past the logjam at the top of the Lowood stretch. Fishing-wise, the place was overrun with BIG catfish. I could hear them grunting as they were chasing the numerous baitfish/shrimp just under the surface. Hooked a few of them on shallow divers using a very slow roll. Tell you what, the big ones give you a run for your money on light gear!
Overall, still needs more time to settle and become more accessible/fish able. Hopefully some Bass. May start to show when the water clears a bit.
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Had a crack at Harpeng Rd yesterday. Holy cr@p, anyone got a slasher? The grass has nearly taken over the parking area. The gate needed a good push to overcome the undergrowth. The pre-flood (second time) launch spot is a no go as it is still under water. Can launch a bit to the right albeit rather muddy. I slipped in the slick, silty mud on the way down too. River level still up a bit, with flow going through the corner of the normally land locked area across from the launch spot to meet up with the main river just past the logjam at the top of the Lowood stretch. Fishing-wise, the place was overrun with BIG catfish. I could hear them grunting as they were chasing the numerous baitfish/shrimp just under the surface. Hooked a few of them on shallow divers using a very slow roll. Tell you what, the big ones give you a run for your money on light gear!
Overall, still needs more time to settle and become more accessible/fish able. Hopefully some Bass. May start to show when the water clears a bit.
The gate was OPEN when I went there on Saturday, so I closed it.
The grass as you advised is high and I did a bit of "off track " driving to widen it a bit.
The area will be ok once the water settles a bit. Fish will come on.
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The river dropped a little more last night, it appears as it is at its more normal running height finally. Still brown as , in 2011 while it was running brown ,blades and spinnerbaits were the go to lures. With both Wivenhoe and Somerset still brown in color, the Brisbane will run brown well into the spring.
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Went to take a look at what's going on at Hollywood. The 2nd illegal fence has had new barbed wire put on and some posts replaced. Has had a front end loader or tractor down on the road reserve pushing some dirt around.
The castor oil trees are dead but some new seedlings of these are coming up.
Grass is a bit long in the carpark area.
One car leaving as we got there, 2 there and one other arrived just after us.
Picked up one can of Mother next to someone's commodore up there.
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I snuck down for some 'turkey shoot' action late Saturday Arvo at Heart Attack Hill.
I need to go back with the a mower , brushcutter and bin. The gate there needs some sorting out too, it is quite tight to get the yak through the posts.
Cheers,
Dave.
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Plenty of fish there no need to worry about the turkeys :youbeauty
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Went to take a look at what's going on at Hollywood. The 2nd illegal fence has had new barbed wire put on and some posts replaced. Has had a front end loader or tractor down on the road reserve pushing some dirt around.
Yeah he had the posts in Thursday morning when we pulled out at lunchtime it was strung up with fresh wire .. >:(
Brad
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This problem could be easily fixed to suit both by putting in another gate.
Dino
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This problem could be easily fixed to suit both by putting in another gate.
Dino
No, then we wouldn't know where the boundary line was and we could inadvertantly go onto his property and he would be very very quick to bring out the trespassing laws. This man is simply evil, he has tried to acquire public land for his own use and got knocked back. He has tried to fence off public land and a public road and was told to remove the fence. He refused. He has accused us of poisoning fish and dumping them in his pump hole, he has accused us of littering, he has filmed people and their children swimming in a public part of the river, his wife has exposed things to fishermen that should never be shown. He has put notes on fishermen's windscreens trying to scare them off. If I am the only one in regular contact with Deb Frecklington about these issues she just think I'm a whiner. Please, everybody who uses the area, contact the Nanago office and voice your concerns.
Email nanango@parliament.qld.gov.au to the attention of Deb Frecklington.
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How can you go through a gate in a fence thats not legal and be on someones property, thats rubbish. He cant stop you going across land thats not his. He gets to do what he wants to do and we get to do what we want to do, much better than trying to scramble up a muddy bank. I would prefer the fence gone but you know its not going to happen.
Dino
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I would prefer the fence gone but you know its not going to happen.
Dino
If you don't email and phone Deb & the Ipswich office of DNRM it won't.....
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How can you go through a gate in a fence thats not legal and be on someones property, thats rubbish. He cant stop you going across land thats not his. He gets to do what he wants to do and we get to do what we want to do, much better than trying to scramble up a muddy bank. I would prefer the fence gone but you know its not going to happen.
Dino
It is not rubbish! The fence on your left as you go towards the water is in the wrong place. Go through it and you may still be on the road reserve, go too far and you are trespassing. There is no line on the ground to tell you where to stop. If the fence was in the correct spot you wouldn't need a gate in it! Whinging on here will do nothing, write to the local member Deb Frecklington.
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Who is whinging, I am only suggesting an easy fix to the problem. If the farmers boundary is at the high water mark I fail to see a problem. I sent an email last time and will again and I dont need you telling me what to do.
Dino
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The "high water mark" is back on the Brisbane Valley Highway.
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Thanks Dale I thought I was right.
We need compromise.
Dino
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Just made a few calls bottom line is it is a road and it is the responsibility of the local council. Who do you communicate with at the council in regards to this Dale ?
Oh dear just realized we are back where we started ..............................
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Email sent. Let's get proper access back. Thanks for the info on who to contact. :thumbsup
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We are back to what we had after we won last time. Problem now is getting out of the water safely. We need to place a few logs in the water or put something there so its not so slippery or muddy. Or hope it goes down another foot or so. Thats why I said another gate would be OK as I cant see the farmer pulling down the fence.
Dino
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We are back to what we had after we won last time. Problem now is getting out of the water safely. We need to place a few logs in the water or put something there so its not so slippery or muddy. Or hope it goes down another foot or so. Thats why I said another gate would be OK as I cant see the farmer pulling down the fence.
Dino
In this situation a compromise may be a good solution. I would be concerned with the long term effects of that though. I just got a reply from emailing Deb, and it basically says i wouldn't know if it was legal or not unless I was aware of the owners surveyed boundary lines. It also says they are aware of the situation and looking into it. It is a safety issue. Maybe if the fence "accidentally" fell over one day.
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The fence with the gate is a Council issue. Unfortunately they have not done their job and allowed the adjacent landholder to leave the fence there if he put a gate in it. The smart arise put the gate in the wrong spot so you can't get a vehicle through it. The fence on your left as you go down is not a council issue, it is state government. They won't do anything, maybe because the landholder is a voter in her area and we are not. We need Novice to get onto her as he is a constituent of hers. I've spoken to everyone from the Mayor down at Somerset Council but they do not seem too concerned about recreational anglers.
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After much toing and froing over the last week I've come to a conclusion. The Council and the State Member seem to be happy to bat complaints backwards and forwards. I actually received an email from a local Councillor telling me it was a State Government issue and I received an email from the local State Member saying it was a Council issue. The adjacent land owner is complaining to Council, and they are taking action, on a State Government controlled issue, and yet they won't take action about our complaints. It does sem that the archaic Somerset Regional Council put the concerns of a law breaking, rule ignoring, river polluting rate payer voer the concerns of local volunteers who pitch in to help when there are issues the Council cannot handle. During the fish kill of Catfish last year, where this slimy individual reported fishos for dumping dead catfish into his polluted pump hole, there was only one boat on the water cleaning up the thousands of dead fish from Lowood to the Wivenhoe Wall for two days. That boat was mine. Because I have been denied the traditional access at Harpeng Road I had to launch through two private properties to clean up what should have been a State Government issue. I have received absolutely zero acknowledgement, or recompense for personal expenses from either Sean Choat or Deb Frecklington, the State Members for the areas cleaned up. But they're happy to let the perverted farmer ignore the refusal for him to take posession of the road reserve and continue to put up his fences, cut down the trees and allow his cattle to f@#k OUR river. This fight is far from over!
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Get into em... what a joke!
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Folks Dale is really running the ball up here, who is going to back him up?
This reinforces the need for everyone to keep this (and other access points) spotlessly clean. take your rubbish home with you, and if you see some lazy mongrel has left rubbish, pick it up for them.
In this case, the complaintant is using any opportunity to whinge to all and sundry, bad mouthing anglers, and kayakers alike. Council staff are now considering having a lock put on the gate due to the constant whinging.
If every person that has accessed this location, and every magazine writer who has shown up here to take advantage of the often easy fishing and big fish so they can get pictures to sell actually made the effort to put pen to paper to council and state govt this would be an easy win. But many users are bludgers, pure and simple and probably don't deserve access.
Those that have taken action, well done. :Clap) For those that haven't there is an opportunity here for you to take a positive role in your own fishing future.
So the question is, are you a bludger or not?
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I haven't written a letter like this before, could you give an idea on what or how to?
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I haven't written a letter like this before, could you give an idea on what or how to?
Nore me so I would like a template as well even though I havent fished this venue I can see the importance of keeping access to these areas and others like it open so I'm keen to do my bit :thumbsup
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Politicians recognise templates and prewritten letters and treat them as they deserve to be treated. If you can post on an internet forum you can write a letter expressing your feelings to a politician. The links to the email addresses are on the first couple of pages of this post.
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Yeah I thought they would do such... too easy, will give it a go.
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Fished Harpeng Rd yesterday with a mate, was our first time to this spot, heaps better to launch from than Shines Rd. I'll be sending an email off to Ms Freckleton very soon!
We were greeted by the landowners two foxy puppies, very friendly, wish old mate was as nice to us fishos! The gate was ajar when we got there. Fished from 8.45ish to around 1.15, got 12 bass between the two of us, biggest went 49cm. Did lots of paddling, right up past Shines rd and back. Still muddy down the bottom launch area, found one half empty can of Great Northern beer, took it with us, not to drink :thumbsup Made sure to close gate securely!
Cheers
SB8
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And thanks for messaging me the photos while I was at work. That was really nice of you. :Hunting)