Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers have said they’re disgusted at the amount of rubbish found in bushland at the base of the Burra Range Lookout, within White Mountains National Park.
A crew of rangers from Hughenden recently spent a day at the lookout, using a winch to remove 18 truck tyres, one front end-loader tyre and two full 100-litre drums of general waste, including bottles and cans.
Acting Senior Ranger, Billy O’Grady said the Burra Range Lookout was a well-known rest area on the Flinders Highway, about 80 kilometres north-east of Hughenden, where people took a break before continuing their journey.
“Unfortunately, people have been treating the lookout as a dumping ground and there was a general feeling of disgust among the rangers during the clean-up,” Mr O’Grady said.
“There are rubbish bins at the lookout, and it does not make sense that people are throwing rubbish over the edge instead of using the bins.”
He said it appeared the general waste was deliberate littering “and in terms of the tyres, we believe it is illegal dumping to avoid paying fees at the tip”.
“That means the tyres are likely to have been deliberately dumped at the lookout rather than being blow-outs from long-haul trucks,” Mr O’Grady said.
“Either way, dumping rubbish and tyres at the Burra Range Lookout is unacceptable and, in an arid environment, the tyres are a major fire hazard.”
He said anyone with information about the illegal dumping should call 1300 130 372 and report it.
“Rangers investigate every report of illegal dumping in our national parks and State forests, and there are hefty fines for people deliberately polluting our environment,” Mr O’Grady said.
“This diverse environment makes it one of inland Queensland’s most botanically diverse parks, and rangers are determined to keep it pristine,” he said.
