Hi,
Peter Kyne has requested that we kindly pass on information from NT Power and Water, regarding access to Leanyer Sewage Farm. Note, the application for a permit will only suit locals and the deadline is 30 September. Here is his message:
Dear NT Birders, To assist Power and Water in arranging access to Leanyer Sewage Ponds, they have asked to I co-ordinate a list of all of those people interested in obtaining a permit to access the ponds. At this stage please use me as a central contact point rather than individually contacting Power and Water. This is the first step for Power and Water to begin preparing indemnities and keys, and in upgrading their database. Following this will be an induction process, with Power and Water looking at a group induction in the first instance. Date and time to be advised in due course. So please, don’t apply if you are not able to make yourself available for this induction, thanks ; ) If you wish to obtain a permit, please advise me of the following details by 12 noon FRIDAY 30 September: 1. First name and surname 2. Email address 3. Residential address 4. Phone number (home/mobile) 5. If you are a member of the NTFNC Permits will be issued for a 3 year period with a $50 key deposit. Previous key deposits will be honoured. Many thanks, Pete Kyne
Peter Kyne, PhD Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge Charles Darwin University Darwin 0909 NT, Australia Ph: 08 8946 7616 Mob: 0435 139 322
For more information on Leanyer and birding in the Top End, http://bird-o.com/northern-territory-and-the-top-end/
Regards,
Simon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Simon Mustoe Tel: +61 (0) 405220830 | Skype simonmustoe | Email simonmustoe@ecology-solutions.com.au
Visit BIRD-O at http://www.bird-o.com Follow BIRD-O on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/birdodotcom Like BIRD-O on Facebook? Visit http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Bird-O/117732794921095 Email BIRD-O at info@bird-o.com
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Just don’t’ touch the dirt or water, and wash your hands afterwards! Denise
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Denise,
Should I pack a Bio-hazard suit if I plan to visit Leanyer?
Cheers,
Carl Clifford
Most birders are pretty responsible when it comes to dealing with crocodiles and other threats, when they know about them. There is the odd one who behaves recklessly or feels that the natural world should fit in with them rather than the other way round. But mostly it’s ignorance that springs from people coming from a low-risk environment (crocodile-wise, that is).
To give an example a relative and I took Jonathon Franzen to a waterfall in Arnhem Land. To our horror he squatted on the sand a few metres from the water’s edge. He’d obviously not noted the signs around Gunbalunya of the “big hungry crocodile” lurking there. By sitting down he’d made himself bite-size.
Una and I were only a short distance away from Jon, and we immediately raced towards him, yelling at him to get up.
However, there are other threats at the Leanyer Sewage Ponds such as mosquitoes (I caught Ross River there some years ago), and various organisms in the soil and water eg cryptosporidium and giardia. So as a guide I warn people about putting things on the ground there. I also carry alcohol hand wash and ask people, to not touch their mouths, and to wash their hands well on arriving home.
Most birders are pretty responsible when it comes to dealing with crocodiles and other threats, when they know about them. There is the odd one who behaves recklessly or feels that the natural world should fit in with them rather than the other way round. But mostly it’s ignorance that springs from people coming from a low-risk environment (crocodile-wise, that is).
To give an example a relative and I took Jonathon Franzen to a waterfall in Arnhem Land. To our horror he squatted on the sand a few metres from the water’s edge. He’d obviously not noted the signs around Gunbalunya of the “big hungry crocodile” lurking there. By sitting down he’d made himself bite-size.
Una and I were only a short distance away from Jon, and we immediately raced towards him, yelling at him to get up.
However, there are other threats at the Leanyer Sewage Ponds such as mosquitoes (I caught Ross River there some years ago), and various organisms in the soil and water eg cryptosporidium and giardia. So as a guide I warn people about putting things on the ground there. I also carry alcohol hand wash and ask people, to not touch their mouths, and to wash their hands well on arriving home.
G’day Colin,
I guess there is a small chance that someone might come across one of those big snappy lizards at the STP, which I guess could cause a bit of trauma, particularly when they do their barrel-roll routine underwater 😉
Regards, Laurie.
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And I warned about the closure of Leanyer Sewage Ponds some time before it happened. Birding Aussers might remember my saying that management were so worried about rogue birders such as those Chris mentions that they had threatened to have anyone in the area without a permit arrested.
On taking other birders in: I’m just really careful about who I guide, keeping away from gungho birders for a start. Regards
Peter,
You are so right. The game changes completely when it comes down to money.
Carl Clifford
I think you’re right for minor injuries, but I suspect the problems arise when someone is incapacitated and facing a future where they’ll need a lot of money but have no income. You can’t rely on your friends to not sue you when they’re in that situation.
Peter Shute
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I think you’re right for minor injuries, but I suspect the problems arise when someone is incapacitated and facing a future where they’ll need a lot of money but have no income. You can’t rely on your friends to not sue you when they’re in that situation.
Peter Shute
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Colin,
If you are not aware of the potential dangers, it makes it a bit difficult to take responsibility for your own safety. The reasons for requiring people to undertake OH&S inductions, is so that people are aware of potential dangers and can take responsibility for their own safety.
It is not just public liability that rears it nasty little head here. As places such as Leanyer and Werribee are industrial sites, Workcover legislation comes into play in cases of serious injury or death in such places. Believe me, you do not want to get on the wrong side of that. As a former OH&S officer, I have been involved in two Workcover investigations and I am glad I was on the sidelines, so to speak. Both investigations were quite harrowing for the persons being investigated.
Cheers,
Carl Clifford
PS I don’t think that it is a good idea to publicise the fact that you intend to illegally enter a restricted area on B-A.
Has that ever happened i.e someone suffering severe injury – or similar – in these circumstances? Sorry, I had to ask…..and comment..
With absolutely no reference to anyone else’s comments, observations or conclusions I have to say sometimes we all get a bit precious about injury and the possible consequences. Most, if not all, of the people I know would just get on with it and TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for their own safety. Actually I don’t think I know one person who would pursue legal action in the type of circumstances being described here. I don’t really want to prolong the argument/discussion but sometimes I feel that repeated expressed ‘dire consequences’ contribute to the overall perception that taking legal action is a common and acceptable method of behaviour – and results in a level of unnatural paranoia.
I think we can all do with some sanity and preferably refrain from worrying others unnecessarily or suggesting that this is a regular or even probably occurrence, when, I believe, it is much rarer than we think and probably dealt with accordingly by the court and justice system.
I know somebody will probably have an example of someone they knew who blah bla blah… sorry, but, please, can we minimise the expressions of portending disaster and realistically appraise reality?
Once again I am not targeting anyone’s specific comments – simply stating an opinion!
Have a good weekend!
PS: I’m off to Straddie tomorrow. Have to ‘break into’ the headland as they have it fenced off to repair the path (which was actually fine and it is in the middle of the whale migration – go figure) – hope I don’t trip and fall, don’t know who I’d sue…….
Colin (Partially tongue in cheek, but really hoping to make a point without getting flamed)
Has that ever happened i.e someone suffering severe injury – or similar – in these circumstances? Sorry, I had to ask…..and comment..
With absolutely no reference to anyone else’s comments, observations or conclusions I have to say sometimes we all get a bit precious about injury and the possible consequences. Most, if not all, of the people I know would just get on with it and TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for their own safety. Actually I don’t think I know one person who would pursue legal action in the type of circumstances being described here. I don’t really want to prolong the argument/discussion but sometimes I feel that repeated expressed ‘dire consequences’ contribute to the overall perception that taking legal action is a common and acceptable method of behaviour – and results in a level of unnatural paranoia.
I think we can all do with some sanity and preferably refrain from worrying others unnecessarily or suggesting that this is a regular or even probably occurrence, when, I believe, it is much rarer than we think and probably dealt with accordingly by the court and justice system.
I know somebody will probably have an example of someone they knew who blah bla blah… sorry, but, please, can we minimise the expressions of portending disaster and realistically appraise reality?
Once again I am not targeting anyone’s specific comments – simply stating an opinion!
Have a good weekend!
PS: I’m off to Straddie tomorrow. Have to ‘break into’ the headland as they have it fenced off to repair the path (which was actually fine and it is in the middle of the whale migration – go figure) – hope I don’t trip and fall, don’t know who I’d sue…….
Colin (Partially tongue in cheek, but really hoping to make a point without getting flamed)
Peter,
An interesting point. I guess we will find out the answer when a non- inducted person suffers a serious injury or drowns in a pond. When that happens, it will be lawyers at 50 paces.
Cheers,
Carl Clifford
Would the same apply at WTP? An induction course is required for access to the northern section, but I don’t recall anyone raising this issue.
Peter Shute
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Hi Chris,
I was not arguing for any side. I was just pointing out the possible legal implications for authorised key holders who allow non-inducted people to accompany them or loan keys to (which I believe does happen)
NTP&W make the rules, as does any landholder, for access to their property and we must follow them. If people do not follow NTP&W’s rules, we are likely to see birders locked out of Leanyer completely.
Cheers,
Carl Clifford
Hi Carl,
You are spot on, but I think you are looking at this issue from the wrong side – part of the reason for refusal to renew permits was that NTP&W’s concern that people were entering Leanyer without having done an induction, illegally. Some were sneaking in behind others with keys, others were getting in having borrowed a key. Essentially the kind of behaviour you are arguing birders should be able to continue almost spoiled it for everyone. For a while it looked like birders might not be allowed back in at all! So to be honest, if organising to do an induction is too much of a hassle for your holiday, then maybe choose another site to bird at.
I briefly flagged these issues when the original closure happened back in October last year: http://bird-o.com/2010/10/02/living-leanyer-a-birding-jewel/
No one has said key holders won’t be able to take non-inductees with them at this stage, so perhaps that will still be allowed? Personally I’m glad that locals in NT have been able to work with NTP&W to arrange access again, it would have been sad if the closure had remained permanently.
Cheers, Chris
On Thu, Sep 22, 2011 at 7:15 PM, Carl Clifford wrote: Hi Simon,
Well, that opens a can of worms. NTP&W making an OH&S induction course a condition for a permit places any permit holder who allows a person who has not completed the induction to accompany them to Leanyer in an invidious position. NTP&W has shifted the public risk liability onto the permit holder who allows any non-inducted person to accompany them. Permit holders who give their key to anyone who has not been inducted, and allows that person to go into Leanyer by themselves, may well find themselves even further in the legal deep end.
This policy may well result in hiring professional guides with public liability insurance, the only way for visiting birders to visit Leanyer.
Carl Clifford
Hi,
Peter Kyne has requested that we kindly pass on information from NT Power and Water, regarding access to Leanyer Sewage Farm. Note, the application for a permit will only suit locals and the deadline is 30 September. Here is his message:
Dear NT Birders, To assist Power and Water in arranging access to Leanyer Sewage Ponds, they have asked to I co-ordinate a list of all of those people interested in obtaining a permit to access the ponds. At this stage please use me as a central contact point rather than individually contacting Power and Water. This is the first step for Power and Water to begin preparing indemnities and keys, and in upgrading their database. Following this will be an induction process, with Power and Water looking at a group induction in the first instance. Date and time to be advised in due course. So please, don’t apply if you are not able to make yourself available for this induction, thanks ; ) If you wish to obtain a permit, please advise me of the following details by 12 noon FRIDAY 30 September: 1. First name and surname 2. Email address 3. Residential address 4. Phone number (home/mobile) 5. If you are a member of the NTFNC Permits will be issued for a 3 year period with a $50 key deposit. Previous key deposits will be honoured. Many thanks, Pete Kyne
Peter Kyne, PhD Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge Charles Darwin University Darwin 0909 NT, Australia Ph: 08 8946 7616 Mob: 0435 139 322
For more information on Leanyer and birding in the Top End, http://bird-o.com/northern-territory-and-the-top-end/
Regards,
Simon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Simon Mustoe Tel: +61 (0) 405220830 | Skype simonmustoe | Email simonmustoe@ecology-solutions.com.au
Visit BIRD-O at http://www.bird-o.com Follow BIRD-O on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/birdodotcom Like BIRD-O on Facebook? Visit http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/ pages/Bird-O/117732794921095 Email BIRD-O at info@bird-o.com
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Hi Carl,
You are spot on, but I think you are looking at this issue from the wrong side – part of the reason for refusal to renew permits was that NTP&W’s concern that people were entering Leanyer without having done an induction, illegally. Some were sneaking in behind others with keys, others were getting in having borrowed a key. Essentially the kind of behaviour you are arguing birders should be able to continue almost spoiled it for everyone. For a while it looked like birders might not be allowed back in at all! So to be honest, if organising to do an induction is too much of a hassle for your holiday, then maybe choose another site to bird at.
I briefly flagged these issues when the original closure happened back in October last year: http://bird-o.com/2010/10/02/living-leanyer-a-birding-jewel/
No one has said key holders won’t be able to take non-inductees with them at this stage, so perhaps that will still be allowed? Personally I’m glad that locals in NT have been able to work with NTP&W to arrange access again, it would have been sad if the closure had remained permanently.
Cheers, Chris
Hi Simon,
Well, that opens a can of worms. NTP&W making an OH&S induction course a condition for a permit places any permit holder who allows a person who has not completed the induction to accompany them to Leanyer in an invidious position. NTP&W has shifted the public risk liability onto the permit holder who allows any non-inducted person to accompany them. Permit holders who give their key to anyone who has not been inducted, and allows that person to go into Leanyer by themselves, may well find themselves even further in the legal deep end.
This policy may well result in hiring professional guides with public liability insurance, the only way for visiting birders to visit Leanyer.
Carl Clifford
Hi,
Peter Kyne has requested that we kindly pass on information from NT Power and Water, regarding access to Leanyer Sewage Farm. Note, the application for a permit will only suit locals and the deadline is 30 September. Here is his message:
Dear NT Birders, To assist Power and Water in arranging access to Leanyer Sewage Ponds, they have asked to I co-ordinate a list of all of those people interested in obtaining a permit to access the ponds. At this stage please use me as a central contact point rather than individually contacting Power and Water. This is the first step for Power and Water to begin preparing indemnities and keys, and in upgrading their database. Following this will be an induction process, with Power and Water looking at a group induction in the first instance. Date and time to be advised in due course. So please, don’t apply if you are not able to make yourself available for this induction, thanks ; ) If you wish to obtain a permit, please advise me of the following details by 12 noon FRIDAY 30 September: 1. First name and surname 2. Email address 3. Residential address 4. Phone number (home/mobile) 5. If you are a member of the NTFNC Permits will be issued for a 3 year period with a $50 key deposit. Previous key deposits will be honoured. Many thanks, Pete Kyne
Peter Kyne, PhD Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge Charles Darwin University Darwin 0909 NT, Australia Ph: 08 8946 7616 Mob: 0435 139 322
For more information on Leanyer and birding in the Top End, http://bird-o.com/northern-territory-and-the-top-end/
Regards,
Simon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Simon Mustoe Tel: +61 (0) 405220830 | Skype simonmustoe | Email simonmustoe@ecology-solutions.com.au
Visit BIRD-O at http://www.bird-o.com Follow BIRD-O on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/birdodotcom Like BIRD-O on Facebook? Visit http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/ pages/Bird-O/117732794921095 Email BIRD-O at info@bird-o.com
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