Latest news with #QueenslandNationalParks
Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- Daily Mail
An Aussie ute driver could be hit with massive fine after they were spotted with a load of wood in a national park
Australians have been warned it is illegal to remove dead trees from national parks as a Queensland authority cracked down on an unsuspecting ute driver. Queensland National parks posted the warning over the weekend, having captured images of a ute filling with wood from a wildlife camera inside a park. 'We speak for the trees when we say everything within a national park and state forest is protected in Queensland,' the department said in a social media post. 'Whether it was a live tree like this one, or a dead one, they all play an important part in the protected ecosystem and should never be firewood sources — and penalties do apply.' The department said dead trees and branches still serve as vital habitat for animals and other plants. Removing dead wood can interrupt the natural decomposition processes and the construction of shelter and food sources for other animals. In Queensland, taking wood from national parks and state forests can attract on-the-spot fines of up $1,378. Serious breaches can be prosecuted in the courts to the tune of $137,850 for a first offence, and $413,550 for repeat offenders. Senior Ranger Compliance Luke Male previously said 'people unlawfully collecting firewood have a total disregard for the forest and other forest users'. 'They are impacting native species through the removal of habitat, introducing weeds and other pests to the environment or damaging waterways. 'Forest officers can seize firewood and timber, conduct vehicle searches as well as seize vehicles and equipment such as chainsaws used in committing the offence.' 'The department has a zero-tolerance approach to the unlawful collection of firewood and other items in our State forests and timber reserves, and people caught breaking the law can expect a fine or prosecution.' One man was fined $1,437 at Pinnacles Reserve near Townsville after being caught cutting timber in a protected area. In another case, a person was fined $30,000 in New South Wales for collecting firewood from the Murrumbidgee Valley.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Yahoo
Aussies warned as hiker calls out 'putrid' act in national park: 'So sad to see'
A 'putrid' issue is continuing to contaminate pristine Aussie walking tracks and camping sites with an unwanted stench — and it's apparently not slowing its roll any time soon. For the past year, numerous states have been clamping down on travellers after authorities revealed an increase in the number of people defecting in bushland, posing 'an unacceptable risk to the health and safety' of others and the natural environment. The so-called poo problem has gotten so out of control, Queensland National Parks started handing out $464 fines to tourists for inadequate "bush toileting". Meanwhile, rangers in Tasmania previously told Yahoo News Australia they had noticed an 'unprecedented' amount of human faeces left near rivers, lakes, streams, camping areas and even next to toilets. However, their calls for bushwalkers to 'learn how to toilet' outdoors appear to have fallen on deaf ears. Over the weekend a woman hiking at the Walls of Jerusalem National Park, in Tasmania's central highlands, said she was shocked by the 'very inconsiderate and tasteless behaviours' she encountered along the way. 'At Wild Dog Creek campsite where we stopped for a short break, there was used toilet paper behind a tent platform on the ground surface. Presumably some poor ranger will have to deal with that,' she posted online, adding that she also found fresh egg shells dumped on the ground. Other avid hikers agreed, with one local claiming human waste is 'becoming more and more common'. 'While not surprising, this is so sad to see. A result of too many people that have no care or decency entering the bush,' someone else said. Others called for a fine to be introduced to help curb the problem. 'Can't comprehend how or why people would go to such trouble to enjoy a beautiful environment but then leave their filth,' a fourth person added. A Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia new toilet facilities were installed at the Walls of Jerusalem National Park in 2022, in addition to a walking track upgrade and campground platforms. 'While some PWS managed sites do have facilities, it manages some tracks in Tasmania that are in remote and pristine areas without formal toilet facilities,' they said. 'Plan your trip and know what facilities may or may not be available. Where toilets are provided, use them. 'To help protect sensitive vegetation and wildlife and ensure water sources stay safe and healthy for people and wildlife, it is essential to be prepared and know how to best toilet in the bush.' Speaking to Yahoo last year, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife ranger Olivia Hickey pointed the blame at inexperienced bushwalkers and tourists. 'As a wilderness ranger, we transport a lot of poo that we find while out and about,' she said. 'We have to pick it up and have to deal with it by carrying it to the toilet. So there are a lot of people clearly doing the wrong thing. [People] are just pooing straight on the ground and that's become a much more obvious problem.' While the issue is obviously gross, it also presents a 'massive' environmental concern. Human poo can 'kill the plants or make it more available for other weed species to come in', Hickey said. 'A lot of Tassie's wilderness is a world heritage area and has seen unchanged landscapes for a very long time…so that human impact will have a long-lasting impact on the environments that we're in.' 🧍♂️Fuming local calls out 'poo jogger' after smelly surprise found on pathway 🏕️ Tourists 'not welcome' at free campsite after after repeated 'grubby' acts 💧 Campers blasted after shocking discovery in popular Aussie river For years bushwalkers have been encouraged to bury their poop in a hole at least 15 centimetres deep — and away from water and campsites. This approach is still encouraged, however only in areas 'that have got lots of soil" — so you'll need to bring a small shovel and know where to dig. 'Poo pots or poo tubes are the best option to support the Leave No Trace approach to bushwalking where toilets are not provided,' the PWS spokesperson said. 'Be sure to use fully biodegradable compostable bags and have a plan for when and how you will safety and correctly dispose of your waste at the end of your trip. 'If you must bury your poo while out on the track, dig a hole at least 15cm deep (about the length of your hand), a minimum of 100m from water sources and ensure your poo is well covered over. Pack out toilet paper and sanitary products, as these are not biodegradable.' Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
