Anger is growing at the disrespect that some illegal campers are showing for the fragile environment on the Gnaraloo Coast in northern WA.
The Gnaraloo Wilderness Foundation says there has been increasing instances of illegal camping and 4WD activities within the fragile dunes and beaches there. And this is despite there being adequate camping facilities available at the nearby business of 3Mile Camp and at the Gnaraloo Homestead area.
“Illegal campers are bypassing these facilities as there seems to be a mindset and perception that ‘free camping’ is now possible due to the Gnaraloo coast no longer being managed by the adjoining pastoralist,” the Foundation said.
Management of the Gnaraloo coastline changed hands to the State Government in 2015.
“The location of the illegal beach gatherings and the opportunity to camp there are being shared and promoted on social media,” the Foundation said. “This lack of respect shown by illegal campers on the Ningaloo coast at Gnaraloo and the flouting by some of the applicable rules within a world heritage listed reserve puts pressure on the fragile location and results in damage to environmental, national and world heritage values.”
It says that if the poor examples being set by illegal campers and some 4WD tourists are not addressed on the spot through the timely presence of Government rangers issuing fines, the situation could quickly become unmanageable.
The fear is that illegal camping and 4WD’ing will destroy the paleontological fossils and Aboriginal history buried in Gnaraloo’s dunes, damage nesting habitat of endangered species, and interrupt the natural activities of shore birds and multiple crab and other species.
“There was no vehicle access or traffic here at all prior to 2015 … the Gnaraloo beaches and dunes were previously maintained and strictly managed as completely vehicle-free for almost four decades,” the Foundation said. “Illegal camping and 4WD activities now impact the entire Gnaraloo coastline, as well as the important loggerhead turtle nesting beaches at Gnaraloo Bay and Gnaraloo Cape Farquhar.”
They don’t look like GN to me, more like a 4wd club.
Thanks exactly what we thought as well!
This area changed hands in 2015 so why has it become a problem now also nothing implies GN just campers and tourists My opinion is businesses are overcharging and the cheapest way would be to fee camp
That doesn’t excuse this sort of behaviour.