Quote:
Originally Posted by Allan_L
Hi Greg.
You and I think alike.
I too did a google maps close up.
What I see is a track that goes down past this guys house and keeps going and eventually is called Ikari Rd. It eventually links back up with Wisemans Ferry Road again further back up.
It is not unusual to see a bunch of letter boxes at the end of a dirt road that the postman does not want to go down.
The fact that you "shot through" as the neighbour approached is reason enough for him to chase you. And you yourself said he settled down when you told him where you had come from.
Perhaps someone should ask Gosford Council?  bones ?
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Hi Allan and all.
To be honest I purposely decided to not voice my opinion on the other thread that was eventually closed by Mike, as I thought it was pretty ugly and heated and I didn't want to get involved. I do have opinions about this side track issue which I now give only because I have been asked to by Allan, and it should be noted that my points below are not the opinion of Gosford Council (of whom I am an employee), but mine. If you want Council's opinion in relation to the use and access associated with access to the Pony Club I suggest you contact Council's property section which I am not a part of, to see what light they may be able to shine on the situation.
My opinion are as follows:
1. I see that access to the Pony Club is by way of a key to the gate. If this wasn't the case why did the Board of Trustees in care and control of the site bother to give someone a key in the first place? Why not just say initially "forget the key, just use the side track, there's a gate there."
2. In relation to the side track, my understanding is that this is located within the neighbouring property to the south, and not on the Pony Club site. The only way that LEGAL access would be available at all times by any users of the Pony Club site would be if there was a right of carriageway and/or right of access (ROW/ROA) of which the Pony Club was a beneficiary on the land title, with this ROW/ROA over the location of the access track in question. I'd be surprised if there is one as these are usually created when a site does not have direct frontage to a public road, or direct access from the frontage road is denied (as is the case for some properties that front State Roads or when such access is restricted as part of a development control plan); furthermore, the Pony Club site has the front boundary that is full frontage to Wisemans Ferry Road and it has its own access within this road frontage. The only way that it can be established if there is a legal ROW/ROA is by way of documentary evidence in the form of a title search through the NSW Land Titles Office (who might now be known as Land & Property Information).
3. In relation to the side gate, this could be a historical gate, and its inception could have been for any reason e.g permission for the Pony Club to set up and get horses to the site when they hold events, or maybe even a previous owner of the site to the south may have had a horse that attended such events at the PC and it was easier access for them as such rather than go out on to Wisemans Ferry Road to then access the PC site as normal. I don't know the history of the gate and I'm not going to "crystal ball" to find out.
4. Personally I have never used the side gate, nor do I intend to in the future. Yes, I saw it posted in previous blogs, but as far as I'm concerned I do not know the owners, spoken to them, not even seen them, so in my opinion I see I'd be tresspassing on their land if there is no ROW/ROA, and I'd imagine they'd see it the same way. If there is a verbal agreement between the PC custodians and this owner, I'm a stranger to that agreement and not part of it and as such prefer to use the PC front gate only.
5. I rarely travel south of the PC site, but some time within the last 12 months I saw a 'for sale" sign in front of the property to the south. whether it sold or not, I don't know, but if it did would the new owner be aware of what could be a verbal agreement between the PC and a previous owner?
6. Although I haven't been up at the PC much of late, if I do think of going I always check the latest thread to see if its on and if there is going to be a key holder present to open the gate.
7. In relation to a key to the front gate, I recall someone said in the previous (closed) thread that if someone wants a key, borrow one off a key holder, go to Mr Minit and get one cut. Is this an agreed arrangement with the Board of Trustees for the PC to be able to do this, if not I regret to see something like this practise 'burn a bridge' with them. The way I see it with a holding of a key comes responsibility & accountability, not only with the board of trustees for the PC site but also as a representative for all who don't have a key and hope that we can use this site. Personally I see it as a blessing we have such a public site available for our use. It's the darkest site in a reasonably "close proximity" that our group can get regular access to - far better than my backyard for sure.
8. You mentioned Ikara Road. Ikara Road does not share a common boundary with the northern boundary of the PC site, but is actually on the northern side of adjoining property to the north of the PC site (that is the one that the agricutural establishment is proposed on). To my knowledge only the first part of Ikara Road has an access drive for the property to the north of it, the rest is unformed and possibly used by the farm to the north of it. Furthermore, Ikara Road is a Crown Road, not a Council Road. The track on the southern side of the PC although it might go around the PC site and then gets called Ikara Road, it itself is not parrt of Ikara Road.
As mentioned at the start of these comments, this is my personal opinion on the matter. These comments are provided as food for thought, and are in no way intended to provoke, incite, or offend.
Regards
Bones