SUBARU 4WD CLUB OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA (INC)
TRIP DISCIPLINE
1. Attending a Trip
Place your name & phone number on the Trip Board at meetings or contact the Trip Leader, then if any details of the trip change you can be informed of them.
If you find you are unable to attend a trip please inform the trip leader as soon as possible, as some trips have a minimum or maximum limit, and /or costs for booking, catering etc.
2. Camping
Campsites near watering points must be sited so that stock and wildlife are not prevented from gaining access to the water. Campsites must not be within 500 metres, or in line of sight, of any man-made watering point. This will often mean choosing a site downwind and, in the case of a small water source, quite some distance away.
Campsites must be at least 1 km. away from any station homestead, shearing shed, outstation or other improvement, without permission.
Take care to minimize damage to grasses etc at campsites. Minimize vehicle tracks around campsites. Whenever possible, camp on previously used sites.
3.Watering points
In most situations you should bring all the water you will require, if it is necessary to replenish your supplies, take only the minimum amount of water necessary. Use only a clean container to remove water.
Do not swim or bathe in tanks or dams without permission; this fouls drinking water.
Pollutants must not be introduced to any water source. This includes “biodegradable” soaps and detergents.
4. Fires
Comply with fire bans and regulations at all times.
Where an ample supply of dead wood is not available, or in areas such as national parks,
a) bring in your own supply, or
b) use only the wood provided for the purpose, or
c) use gas appliances.
Campfires should be placed in existing suitable fireplaces or fire sites. A new fire pit should only be dug when absolutely necessary. Use one campfire only, other small fires for cooking should only be used if essential.
Flammable liquids should not be used to start fires. If it is deemed necessary to use them, all possible precautions should be taken.
Rubbish must not be placed on the fire until all cooking is finished. Unsuitable materials such as plastics must never be placed in a fire.
Where practical, no sign of the fire should be left at the site. Any non-combustible material must be removed from the ashes and taken home.
Fires must be thoroughly extinguished before vacating a site.
5. Gates
Gates are to be left as found.
6. Litter
No litter or rubbish is to be thrown from vehicles, or left at sites used by the club for any reason, unless an appropriate receptacle is provided.
7. Flora and Fauna
Birds and animals and their habitat must not be disturbed.
No member shall use a tree as an anchor for winching a vehicle without first placing protection around the tree to prevent damage to the tree.
8. Historical Sites
All sites of historical significance are to be left undisturbed.
9. National Parks & Forest Areas
All Members and Visitors are responsible for knowing and observing National Parks, and, Woods and Forests, Regulations whilst travelling in these areas or in any other area controlled by Government Authorities.
10. Tracks
Vehicles are to travel on existing roads and tracks except in areas where it is permissible to depart from them.
11. Track Widening
Drivers should not widen existing tracks by driving around obstacles such as broken branches, large holes, rocks etc., but should remove branches (where possible) and do minor track maintenance to allow vehicles to stay on the track.
12. Toilets
When going to the toilet in the bush, (except in areas where digging a hole will damage the environment,) a hole should be dug in a bare patch of earth, and covered before leaving. Toilet paper must not be left to blow around. Where possible, burn the toilet paper before filling in the hole.
13. Spares and Equipment
Vehicles must carry enough spares and tools to be reasonably self sufficient in the event of a breakdown. The number of spares would depend on the type of trip. Adequate fuel, water, and food must be carried at all times. Each vehicle should carry appropriate recovery equipment such as rated shackles and recovery straps, a shovel and a suitable first aid kit. Each vehicle must have strong towing points front and rear.
14. Radios
Members are encouraged to carry UHF radios on all trips and must carry them on trips to remote areas. Members are also encouraged to carry transceivers where appropriate to communicate with the Royal Flying Doctor Service and for other long distance communications, and/or to carry a satellite phone.
15. Convoy Limit
When the conditions likely to be encountered on a trip are such that a large convoy would be difficult to control, the trip leader may set a convoy limit.
16. Safety
At any creek crossing, steep hill, sand hill or any other type of terrain, spectators and especially children are to keep well clear of the track. Vehicles which have already negotiated these situations must allow room for the following vehicles. During recovery operations, follow the instructions of the recovery coordinator. Stand well clear unless requested to assist by the recovery coordinator.
Always close high-lift jack handles against their lift rail. Do not allow any part of your body over a high-lift jack handle, as it can kick up violently without warning. Do not allow any part of your body beneath a jacked vehicle unless it is adequately supported by additional means, such as safety stands or spare wheels.
People, especially children, must not throw projectiles where it is possible to hit bystanders, including from cliffs or high places where there is the possibility of hitting someone below.
17. Mobile Generators
The use of mobile generators should be kept to a minimum and they are not to be used after sunset without permission from the trip leader, or if the noise causes inconvenience to others.
18. Caravans and Trailers
The use of trailers, camping trailers or caravans shall be at the discretion of the trip leader.
