THE Newnes State Forest area at times over the Queens Birthday holiday weekend resembled ‘something out of a Mad Max movie according to a local resident.
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“It was total lawlessness,” he said.
The resident, who preferred not to be named, said he and a friend had visited the area on Saturday afternoon.
“It was a bad move.
“That area is always popular with campers and off roaders but this weekend it was more dangerous than usual.
“In fact lawlessness best describes the situation.
“Police would have had a field day and it’s surprising they don’t include that area in their holiday weekend traffic blitzes.”
There were small children on mini bikes riding on the main route through the area (Glowworm Tunnel Road), ‘paddock bashers’ performing donuts in the middle of the road, quad bikes and trail bikes.
“Most were unregistered,” he said.
“You were really taking your life in your hands going up there.”
He said that the Newnes forest area was popular with visitors and ‘no one wants to stop people having fun’.
“But this weekend it was out of control.”
He estimated that more than 150 people were at the Bungleboori camping area at the time.
MEANTIME usual holiday weekend traffic blitz on our main roads failed to detect any drinking drivers but ominously arrested five people allegedly driving under the influence of illicit substances.
The five failed drug tests when stopped at random breath test stations on the Great Western Highway at Lithgow.
The checkpoints were being manned to supervise holiday traffic in Operation Stay Alert.
There were no PCA charges but five failed saliva tests for illicit substances.
The first arrest occurred at 11pm on Friday and was followed by four more during Saturday and Sunday.
Two 19-year-old males, a 31-year-old female, a 32-year-old male and a 42-year-old male were charged at Lithgow police station after returning a second positive test.
Their test samples are being analysed to determine the substance in question before the five make an appearance in Lithgow Court.
Police warned only last month that the Chifley LAC, which includes Lithgow, now has the equipment to conduct these tests.
Operation Stay Alert was continuing yesterday afternoon as holiday weekend travellers head for home.
