The Stawell Black Range is recognised as a fragile landscape ecology zoned ‘Rural Conservation’ under the Northern Grampians Shire planning scheme. It includes numerous State Government managed Reserves intended to preserve their ecological and cultural significance.
The Black Range Land Management Group of volunteer private landholders work to improve the biodiversity and resilience of the Range, in partnership with Parks Victoria, Northern Grampians Shire and State Government DEECA, and the Stawell Police.
WHAT IMPACT DOES TRAIL BIKES & 4WD USE HAVE?
Trail bikes and 4WD movement cause soil compaction, wheel ruts and soil erosion in the unstable granitic soils of the Range . These impacts (i) damage native plants and the fauna that live in ground habitat, (ii) alter groundwater hydrology and degrade waterways and (iii) can increase the spread of disease and weeds into bushland areas. This causes a loss in the biodiversity of flora and fauna in the landscape, and increases the temperature extremes of the landscape. Damage to private and public property tracks can also prevent access for land management works and fire suppression response.
WHY CAN’T TRAIL BIKES & 4WD VEHICLES USE THE BLACK RANGE?
Trespass or damage of private property is illegal and subject to legal prosecution and financial penalties. Trail bike riding is prohibited by Parks Victoria on all its Reserves in Black Range, and also able to be prosecuted.
WHERE IS IT ILLEGAL TO USE TRAIL BIKES & 4WD VEHICLES?
State Reserves (Black Range Scenic Reserves, Bunjil's Shelter Reserve, Burrong Basin Reserve, Mokepilly Bushland Reserves, Sisters Rocks Bushland Reserve, Monaghans Bushland Reserve)
National Parks (Gariwerd / Grampians National Park)
‘Rural Conservation’ Zoned Private Land: Establishing tracks for motorsports on private property is a prohibited use of ‘Rural Conservation’ zoned land in the Black Range. A motocross track was built on a private property in Black Range in the 2000’s which was soon after placed under a Court Order to close down and pay a significant penalty. See Northern Grampian Shire for further information.
WHAT ARE THE PENALITIES?
Trespass and damage to private property including fencing is penalised by court orders including fines that can be thousands of dollars.
Driving an unregistered two axle vehicle on public roads receives a penalty of $962.
Illegal trail bike and 4 wheel driving activity on conservation reserves can see fines ranging from $165 to $8000.
WHERE CAN WE DO MOTOR SPORTS AND TRAIL BIKING?
1: Horsham Motorcycle Club runs events and has a motocross circuit at 630 Henty Highway, Dooen.
2: Ararat Motorcycle Club operates the Ararat Motocross Track at Warrak Road.
3: Mount Cole near Ararat (more info about legal trails here)
4: Some State Forests (Contact DEECA 136 186 for more information)
5. Private property with permission of the landowners, but not if forming tracks on Rural ‘Conservation’ zoned land, such as Black Range..
Thank you for respecting this place, its landowners and helping to reduce environmental damage.
*** LANDHOLDERS can download a No Access gate sign and A4 information flyer ***
