MCU12/0012 Notice of submission Janelle Cole - Not Properly Made

Subject: BCS 1192 MCU12/0012 Notice of Submission Janelle Cole
From: Janelle Cole
Date: 2012-04-09T23:50:54+00:00
To: Internet Mailbox Sunshine Coast Regional Council

I am opposed to the application for Quad Bike Tours no, MCU12/0012

 

I am a resident & ratepayer of Cooran and also an active bushwalker and horse rider. It appears there was no public awareness of this application until it was too late and I strongly oppose the application for many reasons as below.

 

The intention to utilise track 3 of the Noosa Trail network and also Tablelands Road, gives me great concern for safety of horse riders & walkers who regularly use this road and track. These trails are for the public to enjoy and appreciate the tranquillity, Flora and Fauna of our local environment, not for one person to profiteer from and render the tracks unusable for others.  Parts of trail 3 are very steep and narrow and often only passable by one horse at a time. How it can be feasible and safe for horse riders when they come across 12 inexperienced quad bike riders is not worth thinking about. I can only the imagine the lawsuits against the operator and council when a tragic accident happens.

 

There are numerous holes in the applicant’s submission:

The noise emission testing was done on flat ground with experienced riders.

The steep grades of parts of the intended trail will clearly put increased load on the engines and the in experienced riders combined with this will greatly increase the noise emission.

 

 

The applicant states he will educate his clients on the local Flora and Fauna

What qualifications does he have to enable him to do this? And do you honestly think any fauna is going to hang around when they hear and see a large group of quad bikes coming their way?

 

The applicant states that no bike will operate on his property for more that 10 minutes so as not to disturb the neighbours, however he states elsewhere that his clients will be given a thorough and comprehensive training session prior to leaving the property to ensure they are competent. How can this be done in less than 10 minutes.

 

The applicant states that his clients will utilise public transport of buses and trains or his own shuttle service to get to his property.

As I am sure you are aware, the only trains that stop in Cooran are early in the morning at 6 and late in the evening at 6. The bus service is similar and would not coincide with his intended hours of operation.

 

As a bushwalker and horse rider who regularly uses Tablelands Road, I always find the local traffic to be courteous and aware, however I have great concern that people driving up Tablelands to get to the property will not be aware that horse riders and walkers regularly use that road, and the potential for accidents is high. How a local Policeman can possible state he sees no safety concerns is beyond comprehension.

 

Part ot the DERM approval states that a tour must no go ahead if there has been significant rain in the 24 hr period prior.

Parts of the track can stay very slippery and wet with much less rain for long periods as the vegetation prevents them drying out. As horse riders we often won’t use the track for a good week after rain to allow it time to dry out, be safely passable, and to preserve the fragile surrounds.

 

It saddens me to think that one man may be allowed to profiteer from an amenity that is there for the public to appreciate and enjoy. If this application is allowed to go ahead it will open the door to many more and potentially destroy another of our wonderful and valuable natural wonders. The Noosa tracks and trails are highly regarded nation wide and draw many visitors to the area to appreciate the tranquil environment.

 

If this applicant truly wants to educate people and increase awareness of the local Flora and Fauna then why doesn’t he apply to conduct bushwalking tours?

 

I trust you will consider my objection.

 

 

 

Sincerely

 

Janelle Cole