The administrator of a popular all-female adventure group says national parks will be torn apart if four-wheel-drive enthusiasts aren’t provided purpose-built facilities to test the limits of their rigs.
Taylor Jade is a member of Adventure Girls 4WD and says insurance companies have turned their backs on once-popular four-wheel-drive parks, forcing many to close down.
“I’m just an admin of the group but I started a petition to raise awareness and hopefully make a change,” said Ms Jade, who lives at North Arm near Yandina.
“The bulk of our events are in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales but we’re struggling to find places to go.
“We’ve gone from having a good amount of four-wheel-drive parks – from beginner level to advanced level – to having just a few left.
“They can’t find insurance, or at least affordable insurance.”
Ms Jade, who has been driving since she could reach the pedals, said the lack of four-wheel-drive parks was forcing people into national parks, which weren’t designed for hardcore off-roaders.
“They are mostly made for camping and adventuring with fairly easy roads,” she said.
“The Glass House (Mountains area) is a great example because it’s now known for its four-wheel-driving but people are only going out there because it doesn’t cost anything and there’s nowhere else to go.
“Those who are four-wheel-driving there are completely destroying it and grabbing negative attention from councils, police and on social media.
“You see videos of people rolling cars on tracks that aren’t maintained … I have no idea how there hasn’t been a fatality.”
Ms Jade said there would be more specialised four-wheel-drive businesses on rural properties if insurance was affordable.
“There is so much interest there – our group gets great numbers when we go out – but we have to travel a long way to find somewhere suitable,” she said.
Lucas Bree runs The Springs 4×4 Park near Warwick and said he was now paying four times the price of insurance to keep his business open.
“The park has been here for around 15 years but we have had it for two years,” he said.
“It was easy getting insurance at the start because it just carried on from the previous arrangement. But we got told last year that we wouldn’t be able to get it from March 4.”
After hours of searching and contacting offshore insurance companies, Mr Bree said he eventually found someone offering insurance at an affordable rate.
“One quote was in the six figures, which was just ridiculous,” he said.
“Thankfully I’m covered now but there’s going to be a flow-on to the economy if people can’t drive their rigs off-road.
“The aftermarket four-wheel-drive industry is worth about $3 billion … why are people going to spend this money if they can’t go anywhere?
“Four-wheel-drive parks provide a safe and controlled environment and are great for families. It gets kids off devices and into the great outdoors.”
While Mr Bree was hoping the insurance companies changed their stance, he said governments could intervene.
“What we need is a change in legislation that says if you are on a private property and sign an indemnity form, the owner of the property can’t be sued,” he said.
“Alternatively, we could look at the New Zealand system, where the most anyone can sue for public liability is $300,000.
“Because the figure is capped, insurance companies have a taste for it because they can do the sums accordingly.”
Mr Bree has also launched a petition to raise awareness and garner support.
In a statement, the Insurance Council of Australia said there was an ongoing issue for recreational insurance.
“There is a tightening of the market for public liability insurance, affecting cover for amusement and recreational parks, as well as other industries such as community events, pubs and caravan parks,” an ICA spokesperson said.
“This market is generally supported by global insurance operators with extensive underwriting and experience in insuring amusement and recreational parks, however in the past three years the few insurers underwriting this sector have been reassessing their involvement in these markets, globally and locally, and have either exited or significantly reduced their capacity.
“The Insurance Council of Australia and insurers continue to work with key insurers, brokers and underwriting agencies across the sector to explore ways to address insurance affordability and availability, including in the recreational parks sector.
“There is no one silver bullet to fix these issues, and often solutions – where they exist – require a concerted effort between insurers, business and government.”
Ms Jade, who owns three four-wheel-drives, said she would like to see a solution sooner rather than later.
“We urge the national insurance companies in Australia to reconsider their policies towards insuring four-wheel-drive parks,” she said.
“By doing so, they can help ensure these spaces remain open for everyone who enjoys outdoor adventures while also promoting safe practices within our community.
“We really need local councils to get on board with this as we want to keep Australia’s national parks clean and what they are intended for, which is camping and enjoying what Australia has to offer.
“Forcing four-wheel-drives into the national parks would be a disaster.”
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