Tourists face backlash after leaving behind a ‘disgusting’ mess at popular campsite
- Replies 1
What was meant to be a relaxing getaway quickly turned into a nightmare for both locals and visitors at a popular campground.
What unfolded over a single weekend has sparked outrage and left the community reeling.
The aftermath has raised questions about how public spaces are being treated and the consequences for those who take them for granted.
A free campground near Melbourne was left in chaos over the weekend, with rubbish littered across grassy areas, the river polluted, and public bathrooms trashed.
Emergency services were called to Coopers Creek due to concerns over campfires on a hot day.
The campground, located on the Thomson River about 180 kilometres from Melbourne, is a favourite spot for both locals and tourists.
Many visitors flocked to the area to enjoy the warm weather before the Christmas holidays ended.
However, the aftermath of the visit left locals outraged, with the site’s condition described as ‘disgusting’.
The mess has prompted a temporary closure to allow locals to organise a clean-up.
‘I’ve lived in Gippsland for 25 years, I haven’t been out to Coopers Creek in years and when we did [this weekend] we witnessed all that,’ a local man shared.
‘I actually had no idea this has been going on for so long, apparently during the holidays it’s like that. I’m stunned about it to be honest.’
Images shared online showed water bottles and beer cans floating in the river, camp chairs abandoned near campfire remnants, and litter scattered throughout the area.
The site was so crowded that some day visitors struggled to find parking and faced traffic jams in the car park.
Locals expressed their frustration, with some admitting they had stopped visiting due to the behaviour of out-of-town visitors.
‘As a local I just don’t go. [It’s a] waste of time,’ one person wrote online.
Another commented, ‘Stay in the city if you can’t respect the bush.’
‘This is why the locals can’t enjoy their own backyard,’ a frustrated resident said.
A clean-up crew, mostly made up of locals, was scheduled to tackle the mess on Sunday, January 12.
‘I’m going to go out there and help,’ the local man said.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) condemned the behaviour and urged visitors to respect public spaces.
‘DEECA urges all visitors to Coopers Creek and similar recreational sites to respect the environment and the shared facilities,’ a spokesperson told *Yahoo News*.
‘It is vital that all users take responsibility for their actions and leave the site as they found it, ensuring that they take their rubbish home with them.
‘This includes not only general waste but also items like food wrappers and used nappies.’
Under the Environment Protection Authority, individuals leaving rubbish in public spaces in Victoria face fines of $385.
While penalties differ across jurisdictions, littering remains illegal nationwide and is punishable by fines.
Should there be stricter rules and enforcement to protect our public spaces? Share your thoughts in the comments.
What unfolded over a single weekend has sparked outrage and left the community reeling.
The aftermath has raised questions about how public spaces are being treated and the consequences for those who take them for granted.
A free campground near Melbourne was left in chaos over the weekend, with rubbish littered across grassy areas, the river polluted, and public bathrooms trashed.
Weekend chaos leaves a Melbourne campground littered and polluted. Image source: Facebook/Surrey Guildford
Emergency services were called to Coopers Creek due to concerns over campfires on a hot day.
The campground, located on the Thomson River about 180 kilometres from Melbourne, is a favourite spot for both locals and tourists.
Many visitors flocked to the area to enjoy the warm weather before the Christmas holidays ended.
However, the aftermath of the visit left locals outraged, with the site’s condition described as ‘disgusting’.
The mess has prompted a temporary closure to allow locals to organise a clean-up.
‘I’ve lived in Gippsland for 25 years, I haven’t been out to Coopers Creek in years and when we did [this weekend] we witnessed all that,’ a local man shared.
‘I actually had no idea this has been going on for so long, apparently during the holidays it’s like that. I’m stunned about it to be honest.’
Images shared online showed water bottles and beer cans floating in the river, camp chairs abandoned near campfire remnants, and litter scattered throughout the area.
The site was so crowded that some day visitors struggled to find parking and faced traffic jams in the car park.
Locals expressed their frustration, with some admitting they had stopped visiting due to the behaviour of out-of-town visitors.
‘As a local I just don’t go. [It’s a] waste of time,’ one person wrote online.
Another commented, ‘Stay in the city if you can’t respect the bush.’
‘This is why the locals can’t enjoy their own backyard,’ a frustrated resident said.
A clean-up crew, mostly made up of locals, was scheduled to tackle the mess on Sunday, January 12.
‘I’m going to go out there and help,’ the local man said.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) condemned the behaviour and urged visitors to respect public spaces.
‘DEECA urges all visitors to Coopers Creek and similar recreational sites to respect the environment and the shared facilities,’ a spokesperson told *Yahoo News*.
‘It is vital that all users take responsibility for their actions and leave the site as they found it, ensuring that they take their rubbish home with them.
‘This includes not only general waste but also items like food wrappers and used nappies.’
Under the Environment Protection Authority, individuals leaving rubbish in public spaces in Victoria face fines of $385.
While penalties differ across jurisdictions, littering remains illegal nationwide and is punishable by fines.
Should there be stricter rules and enforcement to protect our public spaces? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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