Why are Australian citizens, Tax payers including road tax etc locked out of State forests, I wanted to go for a drive in my local state forrest on clearly marked and named dirt roads but found locked gates with private property signs and fire vehicles only signs at nearly all entry exit points except one. This means I can only enter and exit from one point, then I found another locked gate right in the middle of the state forrest where someone seams to have a property across the only track to the northern part of the state forrest from the southern end. I also felt concerned if there was a bush fire between me and the only exit I would be trapped.
If there is a Fire,landslide or tree across the main track these less used tracks often give us a way to get out safely.
these guys may be useful:
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~plcvic/Do we have any rights to public land?
PS one of the tracks was closed earlier in the year and now there is a big mess around the dirt and tree used to block the track, causing an eye sight and stopping no one. Makes no cense to me.