The National Park Scam

This National Parks business is really getting to me lately.  I have heard them called National Sparks and Wildfire and a bunch of other equally erroneous descriptions of the outfit called National Parks.

South of Port Macquarie

Its a corporate business run at a huge profit to the government.   How it is set up keeps out those that need cheap recreation because of low socio-economic situations, especially those I tag the working poor.   The prices to enter a national park have risen to the point only the rich can afford largely to go or those with an overinflated credit income.

Those that are so driven by the system don't see this is a farce and an insult to the first peoples of this land. 

ANNUAL PASSES

From the website ... it seems that going into a national park is as serious as going into another country almost.

Please note your annual pass is only valid when affixed to the nominated motor vehicle. If you are visiting a park within the next ten days you are advised to purchase your annual pass at the visitor information centre, vehicle entry station or park office prior to entering the park. Proof of purchase is not sufficient to obtain park entry; you must have the annual pass to gain entry.

Pensioners get some reprieve but that does not help those working poor.  Here are a list of the concessions.

 Pensioner Concession Card holder exemption
An NPWS Exemption Card is available for individuals who hold a valid Pensioner Concession Card or Veterans receiving an Extreme Disability Allowance, Intermediate Rate and Special Rate pensions.

NPWS Exemption cards

Pensioner Concession card holders and EDA, Intermediate and Special Rate (blinded, TPI and TTI) pensioners are entitled to free entry into all NSW national parks and reserves by obtaining an NPWS Exemption card.

Applying for an exemption card is easy - please see 'How to apply' below.
To obtain free entry into any NSW national park or reserve, please display the NPWS Exemption card on the dashboard of your vehicle, unfolded, with the expiry date facing up and clearly visible.

How to apply

• First application: If it's your first time applying for an NPWS Exemption card, please send:
  1. A completed application form and;
  2. A copy of your Pensioner Concession card.
• Renewing your exemption card: To renew your NPWS Exemption card (which you’ll need to do each year), please send a copy of both sides of your Pensioner Concession card up to a month before its expiry. You do not need to complete an application form to renew your NPWS Exemption card.
• Please send to one of the following:
  Email: annual.passes@environment.nsw.gov.au
  Fax: (02) 9585 6831
  Mail: National Parks Contact Centre Manager, PO Box A290, Sydney South NSW 1232 
• Please note that first applications and renewals cannot be made over the phone
• Please write your name, address and phone number on the photocopy of your Pensioner Concession card to ensure that your name and contact details are fully legible.
• Exemption cards will be posted to the address on the Pensioner Concession card. If you'd like your exemption card posted to an alternate address, please provide this at the time of application or renewal.
• It takes approximately 10 working days from the time you send a copy of your Pensioner Concession card to receive your NPWS Exemption card, so please be sure to renew in good time. Exemption cards can only be posted by regular mail.
• Exemption cards entitle free entry to any vehicle in which the exemption card holder is travelling. In some instances, photo identification will be requested by NPWS staff to ensure that the NPWS Exemption card holder is travelling in the vehicle.

OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE 
 Pass Conditions:

Conditions of use

Please be aware of the following terms and conditions which apply to NPWS annual passes:

• Upon receipt of your annual pass, it is your responsibility to ensure that the details printed on your pass are correct.
• Your annual pass can only be used on the nominated motor vehicle and for the duration as specified on the pass. Your pass must be clearly displayed, is not transferable to any other motor vehicles and must not be altered.
• Your annual pass must be permanently fixed to any untinted, fixed glass on your motor vehicle. It is recommended that it be fixed to the driver’s side and preferably to the windscreen. Do not fix your pass to windows that can be opened and closed, that have film tinting or to the coloured tint along the top of the windscreen.
• Your annual pass is valid until the date shown and provides entry for the nominated motor vehicle to NSW parks and reserves as specified on this sticker. This does not include access to sites that charge a landing fee and to other fee-charging activities in parks such as camping, Discovery, museum entry and tours.
• Your annual pass must not obstruct the driver’s vision of traffic in any way.
• Your annual pass is only applicable for private use motor vehicles with up to eight (8) seats. It is not valid for taxis, hire cars, rental cars, buses or mini-buses.
• To replace your pass if it is damaged or your vehicle is sold, you must retain your pass and your proof of purchase (conditions apply). Call (02) 9585 6068 for further information or to change or update your personal details. An administration fee applies to replace your annual pass.
• Lost, misplaced or unused passes will not be replaced or refunded.
• Entry to parks and reserves may be restricted due to safety, conservation or operational requirements.
• Failure to comply with the conditions above may result in a penalty infringement notice or your annual pass being revoked.

Ordering an annual pass online assumes the customer's acceptance of the above conditions.

Exclusions

The annual pass does not cover:

• Access to national parks in any other state or territory. It is not an Australia-wide pass.
• Fees at camping grounds in national parks.
• NPWS Discovery guided walks, talks and tours or other fee-charging events or tours.
• Entry to any special attractions such as caves, historic buildings, museums or discovery centres.
• The Skitube in Kosciuszko National Park.
• Boat landing fees at The Basin in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park or the islands in Sydney Harbour National Park.
• Access to Cape Byron State Conservation Area (including the lighthouse precinct).
• Access to Booderee National Park at Jervis Bay (managed jointly by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community and the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities).

Other types of annual passes Other types of passes currently cannot be purchased using this order form. They include:

• Replacement passes
• Second or subsequent household passes
• Upgrades between passes, or
• Seniors discounted passes.

These types of passes are available from major NPWS outlets. Contact the OEH Information Centre for more details.

So getting an exemption is not easy for anyone and especially the aged pensioner.  They don't make this easy and therefore I would take from that they don't really want anyone in there. 
Now Abbott says we should unlock these protected spaces up to logging and mass desecration of beautiful land that will never come back like this.   He is acting like a madman.

So where does this leave consession holders when Abbott does away with the concession card?  How will pensioners even dream of paying those prices indeed?

Images @ Eminpee Fotography