Free ride at Bridge Flats over

Krystal Hansen | 11th June 2009

THE fences going up around Bridge Flats signify the end of an era for motorbike riders across the Highlands.

Iconic property Bridge Flats is being established as a protected area by landowners and Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Co-operative.

The property has been in the Campbell family for more than 100 years and CHRRUP is assisting the family to return the land to its natural state through funding for a fencing project.

“Funding for this project will be provided by the Federal and State Governments through the Transitional Regional Investment Strategy,” explained CHRRUP field officer Bronwyn Roberts.

“Fencing has already started on a 3km stretch of the Lochlees Road, through to the Nogoa River, and when completed, the area will be a very special refuge for our local fauna.”

Owner John Campbell has allowed local riders the use of his land over the years, but damage, litter and bad behaviour has seen an end to that generosity in order to let the land recover.

“We're letting it bring itself back,” explained Mr Campbell.

“(I didn't mind) one or two tracks through the area but the tracks have been spreading through the property.

“It's the same as someone riding through your front yard.

“Some of the problem is people chasing cattle through the land.”

Toni Vanderpool and her husband Peter have been riding at Bridge Flats for almost 12 years and are sad to see it go, but understand and respect Mr Campbell's decision.

“We've known all along it was private land and respected it,” said Mrs Vanderpool.

“People have left rubbish there for years. We end up bringing back more rubbish than we took out.”

Other damage to the area Mrs Vanderpool has seen or heard of includes cutting of fences, riders chasing cattle, burnt out car bodies and tracks going through gates.

Mrs Vanderpool and her family preferred riding on the property over joining the local motocross club.

“What made Bridge Flats ideal is that we're not a competitive family,” she said.

“We didn't want to ride around in circles, so it was perfect.

“I don't know where to take my children from now on.”

Mrs Vanderpool also had a message for Mr Campbell.

“I'd say thanks and express how much we appreciated it,” she said.

“Without it we didn't have anywhere else to go.

“I'm impressed he's put up with it this long.”

CHRRUP's Bronwyn Roberts added the paddock was an important example of endangered native vegetation, and a valuable habitat for animals and reptiles.

“The paddock has never been cleared, and is only lightly stocked, so it is a highly significant remnant of endangered Brigalow community,” she said.

“However, there is a big risk of erosion damage, and disruption to wildlife caused by an increasing number of motorbike riders.

“The owners are also concerned about campers leaving litter and rubbish, including old cars and broken bottles, which are being dumped in the area.

“This is a real problem for native animals and cattle, as well as posing a fire hazard in the heavily wooded area.

“All the traffic through the paddock and up and down the river bank also adds to the spread of toxic weeds, such as parkinsonia and parthenium.”

CHRRUP received advice from the Department of Environment and Resource Management confirming the significance of the area.

The land provides an excellent fauna habitat along the Nogoa River and the alluvial woodlands which provide shelter and food sources for many different species of birds, reptiles, insects and mammals including koalas, sugar gliders and possums.