Rural Aussies slam city folks' stupid act that many of us are guilty of: 'Happens all the time'
An Australian recently vented on Reddit about travellers lacking proper gate etiquette when passing through rural properties.
'If you drive into a property and their gate is shut, f***ing shut it after you come in!' they wrote.
'I thought the gate thing was widely understood in this country but apparently some people need a stern reminder.'
The Aussie explained that their golden retriever went missing after someone left a gate open while passing through their land.
Fortunately, the story had a happy ending.
'The dog is fine. I caught her in the neighbour's driveway going after a rabbit,' they wrote.
The original Reddit rant drew strong support, with over 5,000 likes and nearly 500 comments.
One summed it up simply: 'Bush law: leave gates as you found them.'
Another added: 'It's not just bush law, it's the actual law in Australia. Leaving a gate open that was otherwise closed on someone's private property can be considered a form of trespass.'
In New South Wales, the Inclosed Lands Protection Act 1901 states that anyone who enters enclosed land and wilfully or negligently leaves a gate open can be fined up to $220. In South Australia, the fine can reach $1,500.
Hunter Valley property owner Callum told news.com.au that city folk needed to be aware of the rules.
'It happens all the time with visitors,' he said. 'It's like going into someone's home, you don't open the door and then leave it open.
'In the country, your house extends out to the land that it's on, and people in the city don't understand that because they don't have property.
'If you're going to visit someone's property, then at least have the respect to close the gate behind you. Otherwise, don't visit. It takes a few seconds to get out of the car and shut it.'
Other Aussies vented that it was not just an issue with larger properties.
'I had some sales guy come in and leave the gate open.
'The gate that my toddler had run out a few days before onto the road. I told him to go and shut it before I was going to talk to him.
'I was in a restaurant last week, inside but near the door, it was cold outside.'
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