Poo-llution Alert: Popular Aussie Beach Battling Health Hazard
- Replies 13
After moving to the Gold Coast in October in a bid to enjoy an 'idyllic seaside lifestyle', one couple found themselves struggling daily with a 'disgusting' problem – the copious amount of dog poo left behind on the beach and walkway in their area.
For Paula and Chris, who live right beside the beach, it's a matter that they can't simply ignore. Paula shared that she was already greeted by a massive pile of dog poo every time she attempted to enjoy a beautiful seaside stroll.
'I am disgusted at the excessive amount of dog poo that is regularly left on our beaches and walkways in Bilinga,' Chris told a news outlet.
'This is paradise here, it's absolutely beautiful, and these people are just crapping all over it,' Paula added.
Chris, who has had enough of the disgusting situation, recalls a recent encounter with a woman who let her poodle do its business without cleaning up after it, then shrugged it off as if it was no big deal.
But that's not all - he's also seen a man throwing his dog's waste directly into the ocean, and a pile of used dog poo bags that have been sitting on the walkway for weeks.
Imagine taking a relaxing stroll on the beach, enjoying the beautiful scenery and fresh ocean air. Suddenly, the peacefulness is interrupted by an unexpected and revolting sight (and smell).
And it's not just from one dog, or even two - the beach seems to be overrun with dog faeces, with irresponsible pet owners leaving their furry friends' waste all over the sand.
Despite his efforts to report the problem to the council, the situation has only gotten worse. The stench of faeces lingers in the air, and the once-beautiful beach is now a possible breeding ground for bacteria and disease.
Paula and Chris have had enough of the situation, but their efforts to clean up the beach have been met with frustration and roadblocks.
Despite repeatedly calling the council to report the problem, they've been told that unless a council worker witnesses someone leaving their dog's waste on the beach, no action can be taken. This means that the beach is left to be a playground for dog owners, who refuse to take the extra steps off the beach to properly dispose of their pet's waste.
But Paula and Chris refuse to give up the fight. They've turned to the council's app to report the incident as 'illegal dumping', and have attached photos to show the extent of the problem. The couple knows that this is not just about keeping the beach clean, but also about maintaining the area's reputation as a tourist hotspot.
'If you have to dodge dog poo to get onto the beach, it's pretty disgusting,' Paula pointed out. The council may be slow to respond, but Paula and Chris are not giving up on their mission to clean up the beach and make it a pleasant and safe place for everyone to enjoy.
On Friday, a spokesperson from the City of Gold Coast finally confirmed the allegations made by Paula and Chris. The spokesperson acknowledged the issue and said that the council has recently increased its patrols in response to complaints.
'While we take an educational approach to this issue, owners can be fined $71 for not picking up after their animal or carrying a suitable bag,' the spokesperson said.
This means that the council is not just relying on residents to report problem areas, but is also taking proactive measures to keep the beach clean and safe for everyone.
Have you ever taken a walk on the beach or in a park, only to be greeted by the sight and smell of dog poop? Not only is it unsightly and detracts from the beauty of the place, but it also creates a negative impression that makes the area less inviting to visitors. Understandably, we want to enjoy our time outdoors without having to worry about dodging dog poo or being overwhelmed by its odour.
But aside from the aesthetic and sensory problems, dog poo also poses a threat to our environment and public health.
When dog poo is left on the ground, rainwater can wash it into nearby water bodies, like streams and rivers, and contaminate the water with harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses.
This can make the water unsafe for humans and animals to drink, swim, or fish, and can have serious consequences for the health of our ecosystems.
Moreover, dog faeces can also transmit a variety of diseases and parasites to humans and other animals. These pathogens can survive in the soil for a long time, increasing the risk of infection for people and pets who come into contact with the contaminated area.
This can also lead to the spread of diseases and parasites that can affect the health and survival of native wildlife populations.
When dog poo is left on the ground, it can also create a nutrient imbalance in the ecosystem, which can negatively affect the native flora and fauna.
For instance, if the faeces contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, it can promote the growth of algae in nearby water bodies, leading to oxygen depletion and harming aquatic wildlife.
Members, have you ever been to a park or beach and seen dog poo lying around, seemingly ignored by the owner? These incidents can leave us wondering: are dog owners becoming lazier and more disrespectful these days?
As members of our local communities, we all have a role to play in tackling this issue. Whether you're a dog owner or not, you can help by politely reminding others to clean up after their pets. Local council laws require dog owners to do so, and there are hefty fines for those who don't.
By speaking up, we can help to create a culture of responsibility and respect for our shared public spaces. Let's work together to keep our beaches, parks, and sidewalks clean and safe for everyone to enjoy!
For Paula and Chris, who live right beside the beach, it's a matter that they can't simply ignore. Paula shared that she was already greeted by a massive pile of dog poo every time she attempted to enjoy a beautiful seaside stroll.
'I am disgusted at the excessive amount of dog poo that is regularly left on our beaches and walkways in Bilinga,' Chris told a news outlet.
'This is paradise here, it's absolutely beautiful, and these people are just crapping all over it,' Paula added.
Chris, who has had enough of the disgusting situation, recalls a recent encounter with a woman who let her poodle do its business without cleaning up after it, then shrugged it off as if it was no big deal.
But that's not all - he's also seen a man throwing his dog's waste directly into the ocean, and a pile of used dog poo bags that have been sitting on the walkway for weeks.
Imagine taking a relaxing stroll on the beach, enjoying the beautiful scenery and fresh ocean air. Suddenly, the peacefulness is interrupted by an unexpected and revolting sight (and smell).
And it's not just from one dog, or even two - the beach seems to be overrun with dog faeces, with irresponsible pet owners leaving their furry friends' waste all over the sand.
Despite his efforts to report the problem to the council, the situation has only gotten worse. The stench of faeces lingers in the air, and the once-beautiful beach is now a possible breeding ground for bacteria and disease.
Paula and Chris have had enough of the situation, but their efforts to clean up the beach have been met with frustration and roadblocks.
Despite repeatedly calling the council to report the problem, they've been told that unless a council worker witnesses someone leaving their dog's waste on the beach, no action can be taken. This means that the beach is left to be a playground for dog owners, who refuse to take the extra steps off the beach to properly dispose of their pet's waste.
But Paula and Chris refuse to give up the fight. They've turned to the council's app to report the incident as 'illegal dumping', and have attached photos to show the extent of the problem. The couple knows that this is not just about keeping the beach clean, but also about maintaining the area's reputation as a tourist hotspot.
'If you have to dodge dog poo to get onto the beach, it's pretty disgusting,' Paula pointed out. The council may be slow to respond, but Paula and Chris are not giving up on their mission to clean up the beach and make it a pleasant and safe place for everyone to enjoy.
On Friday, a spokesperson from the City of Gold Coast finally confirmed the allegations made by Paula and Chris. The spokesperson acknowledged the issue and said that the council has recently increased its patrols in response to complaints.
'While we take an educational approach to this issue, owners can be fined $71 for not picking up after their animal or carrying a suitable bag,' the spokesperson said.
This means that the council is not just relying on residents to report problem areas, but is also taking proactive measures to keep the beach clean and safe for everyone.
Key Takeaways
- Paul and Chris have been hit with a poo problem every day since they relocated to Bilinga on the Gold Coast.
- Chris has called the council on multiple occasions regarding the issue with limited success.
- The City of Gold Coast has increased patrols in response to several complaints, taking an educational approach to the issue. Council laws require dog owners to pick up after their animals or risk a fine of $71.
But aside from the aesthetic and sensory problems, dog poo also poses a threat to our environment and public health.
When dog poo is left on the ground, rainwater can wash it into nearby water bodies, like streams and rivers, and contaminate the water with harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses.
This can make the water unsafe for humans and animals to drink, swim, or fish, and can have serious consequences for the health of our ecosystems.
Moreover, dog faeces can also transmit a variety of diseases and parasites to humans and other animals. These pathogens can survive in the soil for a long time, increasing the risk of infection for people and pets who come into contact with the contaminated area.
This can also lead to the spread of diseases and parasites that can affect the health and survival of native wildlife populations.
When dog poo is left on the ground, it can also create a nutrient imbalance in the ecosystem, which can negatively affect the native flora and fauna.
For instance, if the faeces contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, it can promote the growth of algae in nearby water bodies, leading to oxygen depletion and harming aquatic wildlife.
Members, have you ever been to a park or beach and seen dog poo lying around, seemingly ignored by the owner? These incidents can leave us wondering: are dog owners becoming lazier and more disrespectful these days?
As members of our local communities, we all have a role to play in tackling this issue. Whether you're a dog owner or not, you can help by politely reminding others to clean up after their pets. Local council laws require dog owners to do so, and there are hefty fines for those who don't.
By speaking up, we can help to create a culture of responsibility and respect for our shared public spaces. Let's work together to keep our beaches, parks, and sidewalks clean and safe for everyone to enjoy!