With national parks budgets generally pretty stretched, the battle to offer visitors the access and the facilities they want at a reasonable cost is a difficult one for the authorities to win.
There is no shortage of grey nomads and other travellers and campers who feel that the various fees are too high or the standard of amenities is too low. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the different viewpoints, one thing is for sure … the poor behaviour of a tiny minority is doing no one any favours.
Sadly, there is no shortage of examples of outrageous littering and vandalism at sites in all states and territories. In the latest incident a new walking trail to the Punchbowl Lookout in Onkaparinga River National Park, south of Adelaide, has been badly damaged … even before it is officially opened.
The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources told the ABC that the damage done to almost one kilometre of pathway was an act of senseless vandalism. Rangers said it appeared a four-wheel drive had unsuccessfully tried to drive up to the lookout using the new trail and had caused thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.
“It’s horribly disappointing … such selfish behaviour,” said Director of National Parks, John Schutz. “After the recent heavy rain, the damage has been significant.”
He told the ABC that, staff would have to wait until the area dried out before repairs could begin.
The Punchbowl Lookout track was part of a $1.7 million upgrade to the park’s facilities. New rock climbing and car park upgrades were planned to be revealed this weekend, with campground improvements also under way.
The new walking track had been due to open in the next few days. It is now not known when people will be able to use and enjoy it in the way in which it was intended.
• Comment below.
thats what 4×4 People do.. rip up and destroy everything they can… its what they call “fun” …
you need to lock them out of all areas like this and make sure they can’t get around barriers….
they are loud, always have generators running, huge wasteful fires going whether they are there or not… loud revving cars… little crap kids zinging around the camping areas on little motorcycles kicking up dust over everyone… chainsaws going cutting down trees… rubbish everywhere… angry dangerous dogs (like their owners) loud music and drunkenness… you name it
Hello Andrew, I am a Grey Nomad and a Four Wheel Driver. I have been involved with the Four Wheel Driving with a Club for 25 years and I can tell you not all Four Wheel Drivers are like this. It’s the same problem that exists with other user groups, there are always a small minority that spoil it for everyone. The moto of our Club was “Respecting the Great Outdoors” which is what we did. When we left a camp spot it was cleaner than when we arrived, we had many working bee’s helping National Parks and Forestry cleaning up areas. So all I am saying is there is good and bad in all groups, but we should not penalise everyone for the bad behaviour of a few. I enjoy and Respect the Great Outdoors like most good Australians. Regards Ken
This is all to common. We the grey nomads need to get of our bumbs and take photos of this kind of thing and of the mindless D***HEADS that do it. Then post it on line facbook anywhere and everywhere. On the wall of the local pub and shopping centre. I believe that when locals see the photos these vandales they will be told to take a hike, not welcome. And if they are locals causeing the damage they will be delt with. We are the ones out there camping and see this this sort of thing, so it is up to us to try a stop it. Do not try and intervene, just take photos
and post
I own a 4/4 Andrew. So you fire from the hip and throw a blanket over all 4/4 owners. Really
Glad that grey nomads are not being targeted for this one.
The Governments continue to create NP’s with no thought of resource funding for the ongoing management. They put in infrastructure then expect it last forever without maintenance. What peeves me is this sort of senseless vandalism occurs in many NP’s, but I cannot take my small dog in the same area.
It is usually done by locals and village idiots.And pull ya head in Andrew!