Latest news with #fourwheeldrive
ABC News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Tasmanian government releases 4WD track management plan, as Aboriginal groups flag legal fight
A decade-long fight over four-wheel-driving in areas of Tasmania's north-west rich in Aboriginal cultural sites may not be over, despite the government releasing a new management strategy. The day after the strategy was released, members of the Aboriginal community spoke out in opposition and called for more consultation. In the run up to the 2014 election the Liberals — who have been in government since that election — promised to reopen three off-road tracks in the Arthur Pieman Conservation Area (APCA). The tracks had been closed by the previous government amid concerns for several cultural sites, which included middens and burial grounds. The closures prompted protests at Smithton and fierce statewide debate before a Federal Court ruling in 2016 found in favour of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre that the area had an "outstanding heritage value to the nation". Five years later, in 2021, an Aboriginal heritage report found cultural sites could not be adequately preserved if the tracks were reopened, and the government backed down. The government then embarked on the development of the West Coast Off-Road Vehicle Strategy, which Parks Minister Nick Duigan now says will help sustainably manage existing four-wheel-drive tracks in the area "while ensuring natural and cultural values are respected and protected". Mr Duigan said the strategy would be rolled out over the next three years, and featured plans to upgrade tracks and mitigate damage to cultural and environmental values, improve camping facilities, directional signage and interpretive information. The Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) website breaks down the plan over the next three years, beginning with work on the Balfour and Sandy Cape tracks and facilities and including Aboriginal heritage assessment in the area. In the second year the PWS plans to expand the work to the wider West Coast and collaborate with Tasmanian Aboriginal people to identify and protect heritage sites near existing tracks. In the third year the plan is to introduce a driver pass system to the wider west coast, improve information services, develop marketing material and support tourism experiences. Mr Duigan said investments would be made in capital infrastructure to allow the PWS to implement the strategy over the coming years. The strategy follows a draft version, which was published in May 2024 ahead of a two-month public comment period, which received more than 180 submissions. In a statement for the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania and Cape Barren Aboriginal Association, spokesperson Michael Mansell said the strategy had its priorities "back to front". "Instead of focusing on protecting Aboriginal heritage, the report emphasises improving access to 4WD," Mr Mansell said. "The focus of government action should be protection of Aboriginal cultural context on the west coast and access proposals should only be considered in that context." Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre chief executive, Heather Sculthorpe, said her organisation had not been involved in the development of the strategy. She said she was concerned the government may attempt to reopen the closed tracks, but the strategy report says it "does not contemplate opening new tracks or reopening previously closed tracks". Submissions were made during the draft strategy's public comment period by other Tasmanian Aboriginal groups, including by Rochelle Godwin from the Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC). In her submission, Ms Godwin said CHAC failed "to see actionable or tangible outcomes" throughout the draft strategy to ensure the views of Tasmanian Aboriginal people were represented in the strategy. She said there was no detail in the draft about how protection of Aboriginal heritage would be achieved. "CHAC believe that protection can be achieved through mutual respect and education of cultural values," Ms Godwin said. "For this to have effect, it needs to be reiterated and encouraged at many points along the coastline." Her call for education was echoed by Lyndon Kettle, president of the Devonport 4WD Club. Mr Kettle said he supported ongoing access to off-road tracks in the region but also believes the Aboriginal cultural history in the area must be protected, and that visitors should be better educated. He supported a suggestion by Ms Godwin that anyone seeking a permit to access the area be required to watch a short film about Aboriginal history and culture in the APCA and wider west coast. He said he had come across rock carvings and other historic sites in the area that should be protected and signposted to educate others. Ms Sculthorpe said the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre would be willing to continue the fight. "We'll be looking at all our options, that's for sure," she said. Mr Mansell said the groups were willing to take the matter to court again, just as they did after the 2014 election. Mr Duigan said consultation with stakeholders, including Tasmanian Aboriginal people, would continue during the implementation of the strategy.
News.com.au
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Kia Tasman ute pre-production review
There's an ugly truth that will challenge Kia's strange-looking Tasman. Cars are fashion statements. Tough looks and the rugged promise of adventure are vital elements of a successful four-wheel-drive pickup. Kia is a new-to-the-class manufacturer with no proven history off-road. And the Tasman's styling has not been received warmly. Fittingly, given the bumpy road ahead, the new Kia Tasman ute has incredibly well-sorted suspension. I've driven just about every ute on sale today. Having been bounced around by models that work reasonably well on smooth roads but ride like an empty box trailer on broken surfaces, it's clear that there's a little bit of magic under the surface of the Tasman. It remains composed over rocky territory, finds traction where rivals might slip or suffer, and does a remarkable job isolating you from the world outside. Kia has invested a lot of time and money testing the Tasman and its rivals back-to-back to understand what makes them tick. The idea is to make the Tasman so great to drive that potential customers can't say no. We've only driven a pre-production model for about half an hour on a private four-wheel-drive course, so it's too early to say whether the Tasman represents a new benchmark across the board. But I can say that there are truly impressive elements that set it apart in a crowded market. Which is just as well, because there's not a lot of superficial appeal to the Tasman. Look at it. This is a weird-looking truck. The funny little headlights pushed to the extreme edges of the front end are unconventional at best, the rounded, moustache-like free-floating grille is an odd choice, and plastic cladding over the wheel arches do it no favours when finished in contrasting black plastic. People called it 'hideous', 'atrocious' and 'the worst ute I've seen'. It's a little better in the metal – but it doesn't look like a car that will sell on style alone. There's an argument that utes are not meant to be fashionable. That these are rugged workhorses designed for farms, construction sites, four-wheel-drive adventures and brave missions into the unknown. Except we all know people with tough-looking utes who never really take them off-road. Macho pick-ups are in fashion. Just look at the school pick-up line or shopping centre carpark. And look again for dents, scrapes and dried mud paying testament to a life of adventure. More than a few of these things never venture beyond tar. Which is one of the reasons Kia hasn't over-invested in an enormous motor to win bragging rights. It has the same engine as the Kia Sorento or Carnival, a proven 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that makes an adequate 155kW and 441Nm. That's enough to reach 100km/h in 10.5 seconds. This preview drive wasn't perfect A steep climb exposed an issue in pre-production cars that would slow to a near-stop before shifting down from third to second gear in low-range four-wheel-drive mode. We could get around that by using paddle shifters to manually select second - but you shouldn't have to. Kia should be able to sort that with a software update. It can tow 3.5 tonnes Other numbers include up to 350kg of down ball weight when towing, 800mm of claimed water wading depth, 252mm of ground clearance and a minimum 1014kg of total payload. An eight-speed automatic transmission with multi-terrain drive modes benefits from clever electronics including sophisticated traction control and a drive system that matches Ford's Ranger with full-time all-wheel-drive, switchable low-range four-wheel-drive and an electronically locking rear differential in the range-topping Kia Tasman X-Pro priced from $74,990 plus on-road costs. That's the car we sampled during a brief preview drive. Though the motor can feel strained at times, especially compared to more powerful rivals, the Tasman's suspension and electronics have a level of polish rarely found in this class of vehicle. And the interior is a triumph. Comfortable seats and easily accessed features – there are plenty of buttons, so you don't have to use a touchscreen for everything – work in its favour. Twin 12.3-inch digital displays feel more Audi than Aldi, and there are clever touches everywhere you look. Like Household PowerPoints in the tray and back seat, or a cool little graphic of the car and its key dimensions moulded into the centre console, or a rear bench that can slide, tilt, and even tumble away to reveal additional storage space. It's a clever car – and the appeal lies far beneath the surface. Kia Australia chief executive Damien Meredith reckons the Tasman has the potential to take a big bite out of the ute market. The goal is to sell 20,000 next year. The targets are people who might have been ready to buy a Ranger, HiLux, Amarok, Navara, Triton, D-Max or BT-50. 'We believe that what we have done from a brand point of view, and a dealer point of view, it's going to be on the shopping list,' he said. 'The product, the brand and the pricing strategy will deliver what we require.' KIA TASMAN X-PRO WARRANTY: 7-yr, u'ltd km THIRST: TBC SAFETY: TBC TOWING: 3500kg
