Latest news with #QPWS
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Aussies warned over crackdown on illegal camping act with $1,200 fines: 'Take responsibility'
Camping is one of Australia's favourite pastimes and while the mercury might be dropping across the country as winter kicks in, plenty of Aussies are still jumping into their 4WDs to enjoy the great outdoors while they still can. But those who head out into nature are being urged to "take responsibility" for their actions while camping in some of our most stunning state and national parks after rangers witnessed a host of bad behaviour attracting hefty fines in recent weeks. Rangers issued fines for campers riding unregistered motorbikes with children, not holding valid licences, failing to wear helmets and camping without a permit. Fines as high as $1209 were issued for offences deemed life-threatening. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has now issued a "strong reminder" to campers and visitors of the serious consequences of their actions. "Take some personal responsibility," Queensland ranger Luke told Yahoo News. "You don't roll into a Gold Coast motel and demand to stay and maybe pay the bill on the way out. Our camping areas are the same, book ahead, secure ahead, pay your fees and have a great time. "The same goes with riding motorbikes or 4WDing," he added. "Do your research and understand the rules and expectations, and you won't have an unpleasant conversation with people like me." Ranger Luke told Yahoo News he witnessed several offences at Benarkin State Forest over Easter and Anzac weekends and has seen body cam footage from fellow rangers of bad behaviour from Wondai State Forest. At Wondai, adults were seen riding quad bikes without helmets with children who also weren't wearing helmets. Others were spotted riding unregistered motorbikes. In Benarkin, camping without permits was a major issue. "In Queensland, to stay overnight in a national park or state forest in dedicated gaming areas, a person is required to jump online and obtain a camping permit for their party," Luke said. The permit is $7.25 per person per night. "It's not a big fee," he said. "The reason we have a fee system is so that we can design our camping areas and amenities." It also helps manage overcrowding, so visitors have a "good experience" and notifies campers of risks such as wildfire season. "People who camp without a permit or turn up essentially undermine the camping system," Luke said. "It's not hard to plan your trip or book online" 🏕️ Aussies face $322 fine after rise in 'annoying' camping trend 🐕 Hunting duo cop $1434 in fines for illegal act in Queensland national park 🚨 Millions of drivers warned as dad fined $1,200 for seatbelt mistake Enforcement by rangers for illegal activities from campers resulted in several fines being issued as high as $1209. They included: $1209 issued for operating a vehicle with an unrestrained child $322 for failure to wear a helmet while riding a motorbike $322 for camping without a permit $322 for driving/riding an unregistered vehicle QPWS have warned they will continue to conduct regular patrols, and those caught breaking the law will face heavy penalties. "We're regularly doing enforcement work," Luke said, adding that the number of people caught out made it timely to issue a warning. Rangers are also keeping an eye on for visitors illegally cutting down trees as firewood season begins, Luke said. "Cutting down trees is essentially stealing," he said. Not only does the act hurt the natural environment, but it is also a major safety hazard. "People might say 'it's just one tree, it doesn't matter' but the cumulative impact of 200 people doing the same activity starts to have cascading environmental impacts," he explained. Those caught chopping firewood can face fines of up to $2,400 for a multitude of offences. Any illegal activity in national parks and State forests can be reported anonymously by calling 1300 130 372. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Push to eradicate unlikely invasive pests destroying Aussie tourist island: 'A threat'
Each year, tourists spend more than $1 billion visiting the Whitsundays, drawn to the region by its white beaches, tropical climate and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef. And while most visitors hope to find Nemo or spot a sea turtle, many may be surprised to discover an unlikely resident living on the islands – wild goats. The goats were introduced to dozens of islands in the region in the 1800s as a food source for shipwreck survivors, Queensland's Parks and Wildlife Service's Principal Ranger Dave Orgill told Yahoo News. 'Authorities at the time decided that they needed to increase the survivability for the crew and the passengers, so they started populating coastal islands with goats,' he explained. But the animals soon began causing serious destruction, becoming a threat to native flora and fauna and damaging ancient Aboriginal artwork. When Queensland Parks and Wildlife (QPWS) started protecting the islands, efforts were made to eradicate the goats. But Hook Island is one of the few remaining islands still plagued by the invasive species. Most of Hook Island's 58 square kilometres is covered in rainforest, making it difficult to locate the goats or provide an accurate estimate as to how many there actually are. Mr Orgill said the goats 'pose a threat' to Hook Island's biodiversity today. 'They spread weeds, they eat vegetation in their reach, they graze right down to the dirt… They can cause quite a change in natural vegetation, which then has impacts on various animal species as well because they don't have cover,' he said. 'With the rainfall you get in North Queensland, it results in erosion so it can take a long time to get recovery.' The goats are also damaging traditional cave art that is estimated to be thousands of years old. 'They rub their bodies along the walls, and the ochre art has been damaged,' Mr Orgill told Yahoo. Rangers are working with the traditional owners of the land, the Ngaro people, to protect the cultural sites by using electric fencing to keep the goats out of sacred areas. On Monday, QPWS launched a five-day 'feral animal control program' with shooters targeting the feral goats at southern Hook Island. During this time, the Curlew Beach campground will be closed and a maritime exclusion zone set up. Nara Inlet will be closed between 8am and 3pm during the operation, and visitors are being warned they may hear shooting and to stay clear. Mr Orgill said each year there is also a trap and euthanise program targeting the introduced species. 'Hook's just going to be so hard to achieve eradication, but that's still our goal,' he said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
