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wood fires at Arapiles 3-Jun-2011 At 5:27:54 PM crazyjohn

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Thanks Louise for sharing this. I am curious as to the effect of this 'decision'. Is this contestable? If so, can you advise me who I can speak to about this?

I assume that after 6 months of deliberation the committee would have come up with more than the one reason (negative effect on biodiversity) that you gave. However, since it is the only one you mention, I would like to point out an obvious flaw. There may be a direct correlation between firewood gathering and a negative effect on biodiversity. However, there is no direct correlation between campfires and biodiversity. If the problem is firewood collection in the park, ban firewood collecting and enforce the ban. Using the logic to ban all fires because it is assumed people will illegally gather firewood is a cynical and lazy approach to park management. Perhaps the members of the committee who use the park commercially, i.e. for guiding, could reevaluate their own direct impact.

Also I would like to point out that according to the Mt. Arapiles Tooan management plan, the campgrounds fall into Zone 3. The plan notes that in this zone, "recreation is of primary importance". Banning fires for reasons of diversity in the recreation area runs counter to the spirit and letter of the plan.

In addition, I find it strange that within 6 months of giving the green light for full-scale industrial tourism development to go ahead in the park, the current low impact primitive campground users of Arapiles are being further limited in their use.

I would like to contact the committee directly. Please let me know who I can speak with. Thanks!