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Border Track CommitteeIntroductionIn 1991 twentynine kilometres of the Border Track between South Australia and Victoria faced total closure following years of severe degredation by inappropraite 4WD use. 4WDSA undertook a volunteer project to rehabilitate this section of the track. In return, the track would remain open in a ONE WAY NORTH TO SOUTH direction.Planning to travel the Border Track or camp in Ngarkat? Refer here for advisery links.. Note that the Ngarkat Conservation Park Management Plan stipulates that for public safety, the Border Track will be closed from the 1st of November till the 31st of March each year.Commitee contactsChairman Peter Harper (Toyota/Gawler and Districts Clubs) peter_harper@bigpond.com Mob. 0410 526 317 ; Ph.(08) 8523 0889Darryl McManus (4WD Adventurers Club) :ddaajmcm@bigpond.net.au Mob. 0488 275 300 ; Ph.(08) 8281 3394Working BeesNext Working Bee28th and 29th MARCH 2015 More details for 2015 will be available closer to the date. The following is from the 2014 working bee...Meet at the Ngarkat CP Pine Hut Soak campsite (S35º 25’ 20” E140º 52’ 46”).UTM zone 54 489062E 6080152NWork starts at 9am on Saturday, but you may setup camp on the afternoon or evening of Friday. Directions: Heading south from Tailem Bend cross the railway overpass, turn left onto the Mallee Highway; drive through Lameroo, Parilla and past the T-Junction to Bordertown (do not turn at the T-Junction), 5km west of Pinnaroo turn right on to Rosy Pine Lane (Ngarkat Park sign at this point, see RAA map 'Upper South East ref:J2), continue south for approximately 17 km. The Pine Hut Soak campsite is located just inside the Park entrance.What to bringCamping: Camper trailers and caravans can be accommodated. The site has one very good long drop toilet but you need to bring everything else (water, food, shelter). Please note that the 28th and 29th March will still be in fire danger season so the "camp fire" will need to be artificial (a gas stove will be OK unless a Total Fire Ban is in place).Equipment: Post hole digging tools, pruners, loppers, bow saw, handsaw, shovel, rake, hand tools. A wheelbarrow will be useful for two of the tasks.Comms: UHF Channel 16 (In car and hand held will be useful) ContactDarryl McManus- e-mail ddaajmcm@bigpond.net.au, Mb. 0488 275 300; Ph.(08) 8281 3394.Satellite phone: 0424 212 534 for Emergency incoming & outgoing calls during the working bee.Important Note - let us know in advance...• When you plan to arrive?• No. of people and vehicles in your party?• If you are bringing a trailer that could be used to transport materials from the campsite.?All welcome!Whilst enjoying the break from routine you will be able to assist with the ongoing 4WDSA involvement with the Border Track.For instance, in April 2009, 448 hours of mammoth effort in Ngarkat Conservation Park by 8 4WDSA Clubs resulted in a 1Km section of original track reopened, but tracks were rubbled to assist stabilisation, the chain grader was trialled, steel cable fence was installed using concrete/wood posts, and The Pines campsite was increased in size.In 2013, a total of 226 volunteer hours were used during the weekend, and included: a) Barrier Construction b) Barrier repair c) Rubbling , and d) Miscellaneous track management All Clubs are welcome to attend these working bees. In prior years we were very pleased to be assisted by representatives from the Victorian Pajero and Landrover clubs. It is hoped that our friends from over the Border together with all South Australian clubs will again come to the working bee each year to be involved in a Project that is very important in preserving our access and enjoyment of this prime piece of Australian Bush.This maintenance committee is a sub-committee of the Four Wheel Drive South Australia (4WDSA). It reports directly to the Executive of 4WDSA and consists of several representatives from various clubs affiliated with 4WDSA.The Maintenance Committee was formed in 1994 as a direct result of work being done by 4WDSA affiliated Clubs on the Border Track that runs North - South along the South Australian/Victorian Border within the Ngarkat Conservation Park, just south of Pinnaroo.The work being done was in response to an agreement between the 4WDSA and the then Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). This agreement was put together during 1991-92, when meetings between interested parties determined that something had to be done to lessen the impact of increased usage of tracks within the Ngarkat group of Parks, in particular, the Border Track. The alternative to doing this work was the closure of this track by DENR. It was also agreed to accept one way travel along a 25km section of the Track, south of the Scorpion Springs turnoff, to lessen the damage being done to the track.
Sounds like a great idea to me. Should happen at more places.
