Park abusers hit with fines

totalling thousands of dollars

THOUSANDS of dollars in fines have been issued in a blitz on illegal activities in national parks on the South Coast.

New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and police hit parks and reserves around Nowra and Ulladulla late last month.

NPWS South Coast regional manager, Diane Garrood, says most park visitors did the right thing, but with 93 offences detected during the blitz, too many were clearly ignoring the law.

The illegal activities detected ran a wide gamut including bringing dogs on to reserves, contaminating soil with motorcycle oil and driving while disqualified – and the police and parks crack-down will continue, she says.

“Shoalhaven Highway Patrol, Local Area Command police officers and NPWS officers conducted a two-day campaign around Morton, Jerrawangala and Conjola National Parks, as well as Narrawallee Creek, Parma Creek and Worrigee Nature Reserves and the Colymea State Conservation Area,” says Ms Garrood.

“It is concerning that there continues to be a

“The laws enforced on the recent weekend blitz exist to protect the environment as well as public safety, and I commend the Police and Parks officers who not only caught offenders, but also educated the wider community through their work.”

Shoalhaven Local Area Command crime manager, Inspector Glenn Broadhead, says police are highly supportive of ongoing joint operations with NPWS and are also concerned by the high level of illegal riding.

“While I was pleased that none of the random breath tests were positive, dozens of people were found to be breaking the law and this is very disappointing,” says Inspector Broadhead.

“The number of drivers and riders who were unlicensed, uninsured, unregistered or failing to display their P- or L-plates is a deep concern as it shows flagrant disrespect for basic laws, and these laws apply to park roads just like any other road.”