Environment

Illegal 4WD and bikes damage forests

Community members are urged to report any damage caused by four wheel drive vehicles or motorbikes riding illegally in flood and fire affected areas of Gippsland.

It should be noted that trail bike riders are welcome to use the marked roads and tracks in State forest open to the public, provided they follow the legal requirements set out below. Roads open to the public in Victoria 's National Parks and reserves are also available for use by motor bikes.

Legal requirements:

Riders must be fully licensed and their motor bike must be registered and roadworthy.

Ride only on roads open to the public (it is illegal to drive off formed roads). Roads open to vehicles are public roads, so all normal road rules apply.

Motor bikes and other vehicles may only use roads constructed for the passage of vehicles with four wheels. Walking tracks or tracks created informally by vehicles are NOT roads.

Some forest roads may be closed seasonally for reasons of safety, weather, or to minimise erosion. Some forest roads may also be closed due to fire and flood damage. These roads must not be used while they are closed. They are usually signposted or enforced by barriers.