With the busy summer camping season all but upon us, travellers are being warned about irresponsible behaviour that could put themselves – and others – at risk.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) say they have already had to take action against a group of campers for allegedly illegally lighting a campfire during a total fire ban, despite clear signage in the area.
And for setting up a campsite beyond past a crocodile warning sign.
Rangers at Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) fined the group earlier this month after spotting the illegal fire while inspecting a campsite at Hann Crossing.
Camping close to croc habitat is a safety risk. PIC: QPWS
On top of the fire risk, the campsite had allegedly been set up right next to the Kennedy River; a well-known crocodile habitat. The campsite had allegedly been erected past a crocodile warning sign which advised to not camp in the area.
Following interviews from rangers, four campers were issued with on-the-spot fines for lighting the unlawful fire ($774) and camping in immediate proximity to where crocodiles may readily attack ($309).
Illegally lit campfires pose a risk to the environment and the community. PIC: QPWS
They have each been ordered to pay a total of $1,083 and were issued warning notices for camping without a permit.
Investigations are continuing into two other campers.
Ranger Larry Leedie said such irresponsible behaviour posed a serious risk for individuals, rangers and responders.
“Across the state, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers, along with fire authorities and local landowners have been fighting unprecedented bushfires; some of which were the result of negligent activity by individuals or deliberate arson,” he said. “Rangers have zero tolerance for such brazen behaviour and will continue to focus on any activity that adversely affects those ongoing efforts.”
Ranger Leedie said campers should expect to see rangers in all protected areas carrying out compliance patrols and handing down fines or court notices where needed.
“Park visitor safety is a key priority,” he said. “We ask everyone to always be Crocwise in Croc Country and obey all warning signs and directions from rangers.”
During the late 1980s photographers and other people from overseas were in the NT producing a crocodile documentary, they even had an aluminium mesh cage for divers to film from underwater.
Their camp was not far from a river bank and after work each day they pulled their aluminium boats onto the shore, until crocs started biting the boats, so they lifted them by ropes above the ground below trees, and the crocs them jumped to bite them.
Every evening some crew went for an evening walk and after a few days their torches lit up eyes ahead inland, crocodiles waiting for them.
By all means fine them for the fires. Camping to close to crocodile habitat is just natural selection.
Lakefield N.P. needs much more supervision.
We arrived to find someone had taken our campsite even though we had booked that site. We insisted they move and had to wait at end of day for them to do so.
At the next camp along, a couple used a chain saw !!! to cut down a tree for firewood – in a N.P. !!
They also bought a dog along.
To try and report them was a major exercise.
3 rangers – three?! turned up during one day (we were there for four) and gave us a lecture about not having a physical camp permit printed out. Who can print when travelling? The system is broken and waaayyy out of date. We were threatened with a fine even though I could show them the payment on my laptop.
After hours when there isn’t a ranger in site, 4WD’s turn up stalking for camp sites and freebies.
The place is full of cattle and pigs.
That aside, the birdlife is outstanding and we finally enjoyed our stay. Hopefully, the new Qld Premier, who used to be the Minister for the Environment, will better fund our Parks.