Mr David Bellow
Country Energy
Regional General Manager
South Eastern
PO Box 718
QUEANBEYAN NSW 2620

Dear Mr Bellow

The Coastwatchers Association is an environment group covering the Eurobodalla Shire on the South Coast of New South Wales. We have a broad membership that is focused on a sustainable future for the region.

As you are aware there has been a great deal of concern about the manner in which under scrubbing of the 132 Kv power line was carried out in the vicinity of East Lynne. We congratulate your organization for dealing with this unfortunate occurrence in such a timely manner.

Coastwatchers recommend that, in order to avoid any future adverse concerns about this activity you advise your contractor to alter the techniques used in undertaking this work.

We recommend:

1. Low scrubs are encouraged to grow 10 meters either side of any drainage lines.
2. Slashing be undertaken across the slope near drainage lines
3. Trail bike access be policed in order to minimise erosion

These recommendations are in line with accepted practices carried out by other land managers in the region.

We have been made aware of the issue of the uncontrolled use of trail bikes in the forested areas of the region. Many of these machines are unregistered and represent a nuisance to the amenity of the area by creating erosion, noise and dangerous situations.

These groups of riders tend to use public roads, forestry tracks and the access routes along the power easements. As you may be aware the easements administered by Country Energy traverse a varied landscape that consists of steep lands, drainage lines and wetlands. The potential for adverse impacts from the activities of trail bike riders is real and in fact already present in the environment.

We are interested in corresponding with your organization regarding this issue and working cooperatively with land managers, police and communities to address the adverse impacts of this activity.

On the 14th July this year we received a reply from Forests NSW to a submission that we wrote regarding the Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management Plan, in which we raised the issue of trail bike usage. In the reply, the issue had been discussed with the Southern Regional Manager he has indicated that he would like to liase with Coastwatchers on this issue. If these discussions lead to positive steps towards addressing the trail bike issue we would see it as appropriate that your organization be represented at any meetings.

Coastwatchers would be happy to organise and facilitate this meeting which would include Forests NSW, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Eurobodalla Shire Council and NSW Police.

Yours Sincerely

Mark Fleming