Cr Jeff Jennings sought a Parks and Wildlife committment that it would maintain the road, believed to be about 300 metres long, to ``a desired standard''.

Cr Jennings's notice of motion passed at lest week's general council meeting, with Cr Steve Arnold opposing the move.

Cr Jennings said that Dorset residents had, traditionally, had vehicular access to the car park and the start of the Mt Stronach walking track.

``Improving public access to the walking track and Mt Stronach will allow this area to become an important touris asset and a valuable recreation facility for Dorset residents,'' he said.

Cr Arnold said that said that he was ``in no way against this'' agreement between PWS and the council.

``But before we look at doing this, we as a council, must also approach the landowners out there,'' he said.

``After having discussions with one particular landowner, he's got to the point where he's going to lcak the gate and allown no one through, because he's sick to death of chasing his cattle and keeping them off the road after people fail to shut the gate.

``I can not see myself voting in favour of this untive we have discussions with this landowner.''

Cr Jennings said that there were a number of gates across the road and a solution could be their substitution with cattle grids.