Forest Recreation Council flourishes
From the Autumn 2007 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
A new community partnership focused on improving recreation management in the State forests of the Hunter and Central Coast continues to go from strength to strength.
The Forest Recreation Council, formed in 2006, meets monthly and brings together members from established recreational groups that use local forests regularly.
The council includes the Australian Horse Alliance, Mountain Bike Association, Four-Wheel Drive Association and Dual Sport Motorcycle Riders Association, along with staff from Forests NSW and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The council’s aim is to foster discussion and cooperation amongst principal forest recreational user groups and land managers to address key issues like anti-social behaviour and rubbish dumping, and also to come up with strategies to improve the planning and management of forest recreational areas.
Forest Recreational Council secretary, Rob Kelly, said that the council had been formed to promote responsible use of State forests.
“Major events we staged in 2006 included a clean-up campaign in Ourimbah State Forest and a Forest Expo in Watagan State Forest, both of which received a high level of support,” Rob said.
“Such events gave participating associations the opportunity to inform other forest users about safe and sustainable ways to enjoy their forests.”
The council is planning events and strategies for 2007, with members of the council looking forward to a continued relationship with Forests NSW to foster enjoyable and responsible recreational use of forests.
For more information on the council, contact Rob Kelly on Ph: (02) 4932 3678.
Communications, Maitland
