The Department of Environment and Science has said rangers have issued 25 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) during a crackdown on unlawful behaviour in the Lockyer National Park.
Senior Ranger Compliance, Luke Male said rangers were disappointed with the number of PINs that had to be issued.
“The safety of visitors and staff in our national parks and State Forests is our number one priority, and we have no tolerance for those who jeopardise the safety of others,” Mr Male said.
He noted a case of two hunters carrying knives, riding unregistered quadbikes without helmets and bringing dogs with them into the national park.
“Their dogs were fitted with GPS trackers so they could be followed into the bush; they made full admissions that they were hunting and were each issued with PINs totaling $717,” Mr Male said.
In addition, the use of unregistered trail bikes continued to occur in Lockyer National Park and Lockyer State Forest.
“These joy riders often create and use unlawful tracks causing erosion and substantial environmental damage,” he said.
“We have taken an educational approach with offences in our national parks and State forests, but the time for that approach is over.
“The 25 PINs we issued recently totalled $7,625, and we make no apologies for our enforcement action in maintaining public safety and preventing damage to our national parks,” Mr Male said.
