Australia boasts some of the world’s oldest, most sacred, and best-preserved national parks.

From the breathtaking natural beauty of the Pinnacles near Townsville, to the vast, outback beauty of Fogg Dam and the gorgeous views up in the Top End, these treasures are cared for, managed and maintained by the Australian government so that present and future generations can enjoy them.

Unfortunately, some seem to forget that these are natural and revered sites that are there to be enjoyed and not destroyed.

This has been made abundantly clear by a recent incident in Townsville’s Pinnacles Reserve, in which several drivers have been caught illegally accessing areas of the reserve, causing considerable harm to the environment and damaging important firebreaks.

In fact, in one of the rangers' photographs of the area, a Mitsubishi with a P-plate in the window can be seen abandoned, covered in mud, and sitting in muddy tracks.

Photographs from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service showed abandoned, muddied vehicles within Townsville’s Pinnacles Reserve. Credit: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

In response to this, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have begun sending out warning letters to the drivers who have been caught, as well as a warning to all visitors about the risks involved in going into areas that are not permitted.

Senior conservation officer Craig Dunk said that the wet roads and reckless driving caused substantial environmental impact and that the car owners would need to defend their actions.

‘Unfortunately for some of those drivers, they have become bogged to the axles and could not get their vehicles out during the recent period of heavy rainfall,’ he explained.

‘When rangers attended the scene, they found a vehicle that had attempted to tow another vehicle out and also became bogged to the axles.’

‘The drivers and their passengers had abandoned their vehicles in the reserve and walked out.’

These reckless drivers have also caused serious soil and vegetation disturbance and left behind deep ‘bog holes’, necessitating costly repairs to the firebreak of the reserve – to the tune of $50,000.

It doesn’t stop at driving off-track; rangers are also sternly warning people away from using the national park as a place to race either in cars or motorbikes.

‘Not only is this unsafe, but the vehicles can tear up ground cover, damage or kill trees and other vegetation, spread weeds and damage the natural and cultural values of the area,’ Dunk said.

All of these activities are not only extremely unsafe but also illegal, with maximum penalties for interfering with ‘Forest Products’ under the state’s Forestry Act of up to $431,250, as well as on-the-spot fines of $1437.

Dunk continued: ‘Rangers will also not tolerate people using our protected areas as racetracks or places to drive recklessly.’

‘The safety of QPWS staff and visitors to our protected area is our number one priority.’

Before accessing a national park, state forest, or any other public area, visitors are advised to review the rules.

The rangers also added that cutting down trees, travelling off of designated trails through the bush, and gathering firewood are all prohibited acts in addition to harming the soil.

Key Takeaways

• Motorists have been warned about the cost of damaging natural habitats in Aussie national parks after letters were sent to a number of drivers.
• Several drivers who accessed areas within the reserve ended up causing considerable harm to the environment and damage to the firebreak on the boundary of the area.
• Queensland rangers have warned of the fines forthe use of national parks for four-wheel drive or motorbike racing.
• The maximum penalty for interfering with ‘forest products’ is up to $431,250 for any subsequent offences and on-the-spot penalty infringement notices of $1,437.00 can be issued.

There you have it, folks! If you or your loved ones are planning on visiting any of Australia’s beautiful national parks, it’s important to know and follow the rules to avoid the risks of receiving hefty fines.

Here are some key rules that you need to remember:

QUEENSLAND

The maximum punishment for someone who intentionally damages the environment is a fine of 1665 penalty units ($228,105). While the highest punishment for those who wilfully inflict harm is a fine of 4500 penalty units ($616,000) or two years imprisonment.VICTORIAFor violations of the 2017 Environment Protection Act (EPA), the Victorian government may impose fines. Individuals can be fined $1,110 while businesses can be penalised $5,548 for causing harm to the environment.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The maximum punishment for someone who intentionally causes or permits someone else to intentionally cause material harm to the environment is a $125,000 fine. The maximum punishment for doing this purposefully or carelessly is $250,000 in fines, three years in prison, or both.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Any Act may be used to issue a penalty notice for environmental offences that do not fall within the tier 1 category (severe offences include leaks, spills, ozone-depleting pollutants, and illegal waste disposal) or tier 2 category (pollution). Penalty notifications may be issued by EPA agents and a few other governmental authorities.

So, enjoy the parks safely and stay on the tracks - that way, we can make sure the natural beauty of our environment is preserved for generations to come!

 

[Shane/#]

Australia boasts some of the world’s oldest, most sacred, and best-preserved national parks.

From the breathtaking natural beauty of the Pinnacles near Townsville, to the vast, outback beauty of Fogg Dam and the gorgeous views up in the Top End, these treasures are cared for, managed and maintained by the Australian government so that present and future generations can enjoy them.

Unfortunately, some seem to forget that these are natural and revered sites that are there to be enjoyed and not destroyed.

This has been made abundantly clear by a recent incident in Townsville’s Pinnacles Reserve, in which several drivers have been caught illegally accessing areas of the reserve, causing considerable harm to the environment and damaging important firebreaks.

In fact, in one of the rangers' photographs of the area, a Mitsubishi with a P-plate in the window can be seen abandoned, covered in mud, and sitting in muddy tracks.

Photographs from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service showed abandoned, muddied vehicles within Townsville’s Pinnacles Reserve. Credit: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

In response to this, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have begun sending out warning letters to the drivers who have been caught, as well as a warning to all visitors about the risks involved in going into areas that are not permitted.

Senior conservation officer Craig Dunk said that the wet roads and reckless driving caused substantial environmental impact and that the car owners would need to defend their actions.

‘Unfortunately for some of those drivers, they have become bogged to the axles and could not get their vehicles out during the recent period of heavy rainfall,’ he explained.

‘When rangers attended the scene, they found a vehicle that had attempted to tow another vehicle out and also became bogged to the axles.’

‘The drivers and their passengers had abandoned their vehicles in the reserve and walked out.’

These reckless drivers have also caused serious soil and vegetation disturbance and left behind deep ‘bog holes’, necessitating costly repairs to the firebreak of the reserve – to the tune of $50,000.

It doesn’t stop at driving off-track; rangers are also sternly warning people away from using the national park as a place to race either in cars or motorbikes.

‘Not only is this unsafe, but the vehicles can tear up ground cover, damage or kill trees and other vegetation, spread weeds and damage the natural and cultural values of the area,’ Dunk said.

All of these activities are not only extremely unsafe but also illegal, with maximum penalties for interfering with ‘Forest Products’ under the state’s Forestry Act of up to $431,250, as well as on-the-spot fines of $1437.

Dunk continued: ‘Rangers will also not tolerate people using our protected areas as racetracks or places to drive recklessly.’

‘The safety of QPWS staff and visitors to our protected area is our number one priority.’

Before accessing a national park, state forest, or any other public area, visitors are advised to review the rules.

The rangers also added that cutting down trees, travelling off of designated trails through the bush, and gathering firewood are all prohibited acts in addition to harming the soil.

Key Takeaways

• Motorists have been warned about the cost of damaging natural habitats in Aussie national parks after letters were sent to a number of drivers.
• Several drivers who accessed areas within the reserve ended up causing considerable harm to the environment and damage to the firebreak on the boundary of the area.
• Queensland rangers have warned of the fines forthe use of national parks for four-wheel drive or motorbike racing.
• The maximum penalty for interfering with ‘forest products’ is up to $431,250 for any subsequent offences and on-the-spot penalty infringement notices of $1,437.00 can be issued.

There you have it, folks! If you or your loved ones are planning on visiting any of Australia’s beautiful national parks, it’s important to know and follow the rules to avoid the risks of receiving hefty fines.

Here are some key rules that you need to remember:

QUEENSLAND

The maximum punishment for someone who intentionally damages the environment is a fine of 1665 penalty units ($228,105). While the highest punishment for those who wilfully inflict harm is a fine of 4500 penalty units ($616,000) or two years imprisonment.VICTORIAFor violations of the 2017 Environment Protection Act (EPA), the Victorian government may impose fines. Individuals can be fined $1,110 while businesses can be penalised $5,548 for causing harm to the environment.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The maximum punishment for someone who intentionally causes or permits someone else to intentionally cause material harm to the environment is a $125,000 fine. The maximum punishment for doing this purposefully or carelessly is $250,000 in fines, three years in prison, or both.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Any Act may be used to issue a penalty notice for environmental offences that do not fall within the tier 1 category (severe offences include leaks, spills, ozone-depleting pollutants, and illegal waste disposal) or tier 2 category (pollution). Penalty notifications may be issued by EPA agents and a few other governmental authorities.

So, enjoy the parks safely and stay on the tracks - that way, we can make sure the natural beauty of our environment is preserved for generations to come!

All states have idiots that do this brainless imbeciles fine then take their vehicles and actions them off and use the money to repair the damage

 

[Ringdragon]

Australia boasts some of the world’s oldest, most sacred, and best-preserved national parks.

From the breathtaking natural beauty of the Pinnacles near Townsville, to the vast, outback beauty of Fogg Dam and the gorgeous views up in the Top End, these treasures are cared for, managed and maintained by the Australian government so that present and future generations can enjoy them.

Unfortunately, some seem to forget that these are natural and revered sites that are there to be enjoyed and not destroyed.

This has been made abundantly clear by a recent incident in Townsville’s Pinnacles Reserve, in which several drivers have been caught illegally accessing areas of the reserve, causing considerable harm to the environment and damaging important firebreaks.

In fact, in one of the rangers' photographs of the area, a Mitsubishi with a P-plate in the window can be seen abandoned, covered in mud, and sitting in muddy tracks.

Photographs from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service showed abandoned, muddied vehicles within Townsville’s Pinnacles Reserve. Credit: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

In response to this, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have begun sending out warning letters to the drivers who have been caught, as well as a warning to all visitors about the risks involved in going into areas that are not permitted.

Senior conservation officer Craig Dunk said that the wet roads and reckless driving caused substantial environmental impact and that the car owners would need to defend their actions.

‘Unfortunately for some of those drivers, they have become bogged to the axles and could not get their vehicles out during the recent period of heavy rainfall,’ he explained.

‘When rangers attended the scene, they found a vehicle that had attempted to tow another vehicle out and also became bogged to the axles.’

‘The drivers and their passengers had abandoned their vehicles in the reserve and walked out.’

These reckless drivers have also caused serious soil and vegetation disturbance and left behind deep ‘bog holes’, necessitating costly repairs to the firebreak of the reserve – to the tune of $50,000.

It doesn’t stop at driving off-track; rangers are also sternly warning people away from using the national park as a place to race either in cars or motorbikes.

‘Not only is this unsafe, but the vehicles can tear up ground cover, damage or kill trees and other vegetation, spread weeds and damage the natural and cultural values of the area,’ Dunk said.

All of these activities are not only extremely unsafe but also illegal, with maximum penalties for interfering with ‘Forest Products’ under the state’s Forestry Act of up to $431,250, as well as on-the-spot fines of $1437.

Dunk continued: ‘Rangers will also not tolerate people using our protected areas as racetracks or places to drive recklessly.’

‘The safety of QPWS staff and visitors to our protected area is our number one priority.’

Before accessing a national park, state forest, or any other public area, visitors are advised to review the rules.

The rangers also added that cutting down trees, travelling off of designated trails through the bush, and gathering firewood are all prohibited acts in addition to harming the soil.

Key Takeaways

• Motorists have been warned about the cost of damaging natural habitats in Aussie national parks after letters were sent to a number of drivers.
• Several drivers who accessed areas within the reserve ended up causing considerable harm to the environment and damage to the firebreak on the boundary of the area.
• Queensland rangers have warned of the fines forthe use of national parks for four-wheel drive or motorbike racing.
• The maximum penalty for interfering with ‘forest products’ is up to $431,250 for any subsequent offences and on-the-spot penalty infringement notices of $1,437.00 can be issued.

There you have it, folks! If you or your loved ones are planning on visiting any of Australia’s beautiful national parks, it’s important to know and follow the rules to avoid the risks of receiving hefty fines.

Here are some key rules that you need to remember:

QUEENSLAND

The maximum punishment for someone who intentionally damages the environment is a fine of 1665 penalty units ($228,105). While the highest punishment for those who wilfully inflict harm is a fine of 4500 penalty units ($616,000) or two years imprisonment.VICTORIAFor violations of the 2017 Environment Protection Act (EPA), the Victorian government may impose fines. Individuals can be fined $1,110 while businesses can be penalised $5,548 for causing harm to the environment.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The maximum punishment for someone who intentionally causes or permits someone else to intentionally cause material harm to the environment is a $125,000 fine. The maximum punishment for doing this purposefully or carelessly is $250,000 in fines, three years in prison, or both.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Any Act may be used to issue a penalty notice for environmental offences that do not fall within the tier 1 category (severe offences include leaks, spills, ozone-depleting pollutants, and illegal waste disposal) or tier 2 category (pollution). Penalty notifications may be issued by EPA agents and a few other governmental authorities.

So, enjoy the parks safely and stay on the tracks - that way, we can make sure the natural beauty of our environment is preserved for generations to come!

 

[Ringdragon]

Take nothing but photos. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time.

 

[Happyjack]

I live on the road and always care for the environment including have a pair of extended tongs to pick up rubbish at campsites and rest stops. And it just not tourists who leave the rubbish but locals as well.
My term for theses people are maggots and cockroaches - and unfortunately like their namesake the will always exist, and breed

 

[Big M]

All states have idiots that do this brainless imbeciles fine then take their vehicles and actions them off and use the money to repair the damage

Auction!!!

 

[Luckyus]

Australia boasts some of the world’s oldest, most sacred, and best-preserved national parks.

From the breathtaking natural beauty of the Pinnacles near Townsville, to the vast, outback beauty of Fogg Dam and the gorgeous views up in the Top End, these treasures are cared for, managed and maintained by the Australian government so that present and future generations can enjoy them.

Unfortunately, some seem to forget that these are natural and revered sites that are there to be enjoyed and not destroyed.

This has been made abundantly clear by a recent incident in Townsville’s Pinnacles Reserve, in which several drivers have been caught illegally accessing areas of the reserve, causing considerable harm to the environment and damaging important firebreaks.

In fact, in one of the rangers' photographs of the area, a Mitsubishi with a P-plate in the window can be seen abandoned, covered in mud, and sitting in muddy tracks.

Photographs from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service showed abandoned, muddied vehicles within Townsville’s Pinnacles Reserve. Credit: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

In response to this, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have begun sending out warning letters to the drivers who have been caught, as well as a warning to all visitors about the risks involved in going into areas that are not permitted.

Senior conservation officer Craig Dunk said that the wet roads and reckless driving caused substantial environmental impact and that the car owners would need to defend their actions.

‘Unfortunately for some of those drivers, they have become bogged to the axles and could not get their vehicles out during the recent period of heavy rainfall,’ he explained.

‘When rangers attended the scene, they found a vehicle that had attempted to tow another vehicle out and also became bogged to the axles.’

‘The drivers and their passengers had abandoned their vehicles in the reserve and walked out.’

These reckless drivers have also caused serious soil and vegetation disturbance and left behind deep ‘bog holes’, necessitating costly repairs to the firebreak of the reserve – to the tune of $50,000.

It doesn’t stop at driving off-track; rangers are also sternly warning people away from using the national park as a place to race either in cars or motorbikes.

‘Not only is this unsafe, but the vehicles can tear up ground cover, damage or kill trees and other vegetation, spread weeds and damage the natural and cultural values of the area,’ Dunk said.

All of these activities are not only extremely unsafe but also illegal, with maximum penalties for interfering with ‘Forest Products’ under the state’s Forestry Act of up to $431,250, as well as on-the-spot fines of $1437.

Dunk continued: ‘Rangers will also not tolerate people using our protected areas as racetracks or places to drive recklessly.’

‘The safety of QPWS staff and visitors to our protected area is our number one priority.’

Before accessing a national park, state forest, or any other public area, visitors are advised to review the rules.

The rangers also added that cutting down trees, travelling off of designated trails through the bush, and gathering firewood are all prohibited acts in addition to harming the soil.

Key Takeaways

• Motorists have been warned about the cost of damaging natural habitats in Aussie national parks after letters were sent to a number of drivers.
• Several drivers who accessed areas within the reserve ended up causing considerable harm to the environment and damage to the firebreak on the boundary of the area.
• Queensland rangers have warned of the fines forthe use of national parks for four-wheel drive or motorbike racing.
• The maximum penalty for interfering with ‘forest products’ is up to $431,250 for any subsequent offences and on-the-spot penalty infringement notices of $1,437.00 can be issued.

There you have it, folks! If you or your loved ones are planning on visiting any of Australia’s beautiful national parks, it’s important to know and follow the rules to avoid the risks of receiving hefty fines.

Here are some key rules that you need to remember:

QUEENSLAND

The maximum punishment for someone who intentionally damages the environment is a fine of 1665 penalty units ($228,105). While the highest punishment for those who wilfully inflict harm is a fine of 4500 penalty units ($616,000) or two years imprisonment.VICTORIAFor violations of the 2017 Environment Protection Act (EPA), the Victorian government may impose fines. Individuals can be fined $1,110 while businesses can be penalised $5,548 for causing harm to the environment.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The maximum punishment for someone who intentionally causes or permits someone else to intentionally cause material harm to the environment is a $125,000 fine. The maximum punishment for doing this purposefully or carelessly is $250,000 in fines, three years in prison, or both.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Any Act may be used to issue a penalty notice for environmental offences that do not fall within the tier 1 category (severe offences include leaks, spills, ozone-depleting pollutants, and illegal waste disposal) or tier 2 category (pollution). Penalty notifications may be issued by EPA agents and a few other governmental authorities.

So, enjoy the parks safely and stay on the tracks - that way, we can make sure the natural beauty of our environment is preserved for generatiHaven't any iclination

Australia boasts some of the world’s oldest, most sacred, and best-preserved national parks.

From the breathtaking natural beauty of the Pinnacles near Townsville, to the vast, outback beauty of Fogg Dam and the gorgeous views up in the Top End, these treasures are cared for, managed and maintained by the Australian government so that present and future generations can enjoy them.

Unfortunately, some seem to forget that these are natural and revered sites that are there to be enjoyed and not destroyed.

This has been made abundantly clear by a recent incident in Townsville’s Pinnacles Reserve, in which several drivers have been caught illegally accessing areas of the reserve, causing considerable harm to the environment and damaging important firebreaks.

In fact, in one of the rangers' photographs of the area, a Mitsubishi with a P-plate in the window can be seen abandoned, covered in mud, and sitting in muddy tracks.

Photographs from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service showed abandoned, muddied vehicles within Townsville’s Pinnacles Reserve. Credit: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

In response to this, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have begun sending out warning letters to the drivers who have been caught, as well as a warning to all visitors about the risks involved in going into areas that are not permitted.

Senior conservation officer Craig Dunk said that the wet roads and reckless driving caused substantial environmental impact and that the car owners would need to defend their actions.

‘Unfortunately for some of those drivers, they have become bogged to the axles and could not get their vehicles out during the recent period of heavy rainfall,’ he explained.

‘When rangers attended the scene, they found a vehicle that had attempted to tow another vehicle out and also became bogged to the axles.’

‘The drivers and their passengers had abandoned their vehicles in the reserve and walked out.’

These reckless drivers have also caused serious soil and vegetation disturbance and left behind deep ‘bog holes’, necessitating costly repairs to the firebreak of the reserve – to the tune of $50,000.

It doesn’t stop at driving off-track; rangers are also sternly warning people away from using the national park as a place to race either in cars or motorbikes.

‘Not only is this unsafe, but the vehicles can tear up ground cover, damage or kill trees and other vegetation, spread weeds and damage the natural and cultural values of the area,’ Dunk said.

All of these activities are not only extremely unsafe but also illegal, with maximum penalties for interfering with ‘Forest Products’ under the state’s Forestry Act of up to $431,250, as well as on-the-spot fines of $1437.

Dunk continued: ‘Rangers will also not tolerate people using our protected areas as racetracks or places to drive recklessly.’

‘The safety of QPWS staff and visitors to our protected area is our number one priority.’

Before accessing a national park, state forest, or any other public area, visitors are advised to review the rules.

The rangers also added that cutting down trees, travelling off of designated trails through the bush, and gathering firewood are all prohibited acts in addition to harming the soil.

Key Takeaways

• Motorists have been warned about the cost of damaging natural habitats in Aussie national parks after letters were sent to a number of drivers.
• Several drivers who accessed areas within the reserve ended up causing considerable harm to the environment and damage to the firebreak on the boundary of the area.
• Queensland rangers have warned of the fines forthe use of national parks for four-wheel drive or motorbike racing.
• The maximum penalty for interfering with ‘forest products’ is up to $431,250 for any subsequent offences and on-the-spot penalty infringement notices of $1,437.00 can be issued.

There you have it, folks! If you or your loved ones are planning on visiting any of Australia’s beautiful national parks, it’s important to know and follow the rules to avoid the risks of receiving hefty fines.

Here are some key rules that you need to remember:

QUEENSLAND

The maximum punishment for someone who intentionally damages the environment is a fine of 1665 penalty units ($228,105). While the highest punishment for those who wilfully inflict harm is a fine of 4500 penalty units ($616,000) or two years imprisonment.VICTORIAFor violations of the 2017 Environment Protection Act (EPA), the Victorian government may impose fines. Individuals can be fined $1,110 while businesses can be penalised $5,548 for causing harm to the environment.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The maximum punishment for someone who intentionally causes or permits someone else to intentionally cause material harm to the environment is a $125,000 fine. The maximum punishment for doing this purposefully or carelessly is $250,000 in fines, three years in prison, or both.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Any Act may be used to issue a penalty notice for environmental offences that do not fall within the tier 1 category (severe offences include leaks, spills, ozone-depleting pollutants, and illegal waste disposal) or tier 2 category (pollution). Penalty notifications may be issued by EPA agents and a few other governmental authorities.

So, enjoy the parks safely and stay on the tracks - that way, we can make sure the natural beauty of our environment is preserved for generations to come!

Not that I consider myself a hoon driver, but these restrictions ensure that I won't be going anywhere them.