Rangers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have issued more than a dozen fines to motorbike riders and visitors caught breaking the law in national parks and State forests.
The joint operation with police from Forest Hill Major and Organised Crime Squad involved vehicle-based patrols across Lockyer and Deongwar State Forests, Lockyer National Park and Crows Nest National Park.
As a result, 14 Penalty Infringement Notices were issued for offences including unlicensed or unregistered motorbike riding, entry into restricted areas and fossicking without authority, resulting in a total of $5,026 worth of fines.
Senior Ranger Compliance, Luke Male said these types of offences were not only dangerous but caused environmental damage.
“While we are thankful for the majority of visitors doing the right thing within our protected areas, it is frustrating that we continue to see people taking unnecessary risks and disrespecting our parks and forests,” Mr Male said.
“Too often we are seeing unlicensed or unregistered motorbike riders, and riders leaving the designated tracks, which cause erosion.”
He said visitors continued to enter the restricted water hole within Crows Nest National Park, despite the known dangers of that site.
“Whether it’s to protect the environment or valuable timber assets, or to keep you safe, these laws are in place for a good reason and it’s not hard to do the right thing,” Mr Male said.
“Visitors to our parks and forests should expect to see authorities anytime, anywhere — whether that’s rangers, police or both.
