Latest news with #IslaGorge
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Tradies forced to make $100,000 clean-up after selfish act at national park
'Disgusted' is how rangers are feeling after they discovered 200 tyres illegally tossed into an Aussie national park. On Friday, Queensland's environment department (DETSI) announced it had launched a joint investigation with council to find those responsible. The dumping ground was discovered inside a deep ravine in the Isla Gorge National Park, around 340km west of Bundaberg, creating a massive challenge for workers. The region is home to rare plants and animals, and is known for its gorges, sandstone outcrops and rock formations. Taking a single car tyre to the tip costs from $14, and so the culprits saved roughly $2,800 by dumping them. But their selfish act will impact taxpayers across the state, as the removal of the tyres took two days and required tradies with specialised skills. Authorities were forced to bring in a 130-tonne crane to remove the tyres for recycling. It's believed that hiring equipment of that size costs in excess of $100,000. Banana Shire Council Mayor Nev Ferrie called the act 'disgraceful'. Speaking with Yahoo News he said hauling the tyres out of the national park had delayed other essential work in the park. 'It's bloody terrible stuff. Someone would have got paid to pick those tyres up, and then they've come along and thrown them away where no one can see them,' he said. A senior ranger with DETSI said the dumping would have also polluted a sensitive environment, and put the park at an increased risk of fire. 'This shocking example of illegal dumping has delayed our planned burn program, and we are doing everything we can to remediate the site and find the person or business responsible,' he said. Authorities believe someone in the region knows which business or individual is responsible for the problem. 🚘 Hundreds of tyres mysteriously stacked up in family's driveway 🚨 Cops make 'extremely dangerous' find on ute tyres 🥶 Tradies unable to work and pipes freeze in icy Aussie town 'People involved in illegally dumping waste can receive hefty fines, and they can be ordered to clean up the mess,' the ranger said. Anyone with information is urged to contact DETSI on 1300 130 372 or the Banana Shire Council on (07) 4992 9500. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
ABC News
2 days ago
- ABC News
'Disgraceful' act leaves 200 old tyres in Isla Gorge National Park
Authorities have spent more than $100,000 and delayed bushfire safety work to remove hundreds of illegally dumped tyres from one of Queensland's most pristine national parks. The tyres were found in a deep ravine in Isla Gorge National Park, south-west of Rockhampton, during a bushfire in October. The Department of Environment and Banana Shire Council launched a joint investigation and finished removing 200 tyres this week. The ABC understands a 130-tonne crane used for the clean-up cost more than $100,000 to hire. Authorities believe a business or individual has been dumping tyres in the same location, off the Leichhardt Highway, for months. The national park is a maze of gorges and sandstone outcrops popular with bushwalkers and campers. Senior Ranger, Chris Job said the tyres posed a significant fire risk and had polluted a highly sensitive environment. "They all look very similar in degradation, so I would say they [were dumped] within the last year," Mr Job said. "We believe someone in the region knows who is responsible ... and we are asking anyone with information to call us." The illegal dumping has delayed the department's bushfire hazard reduction plans. "Isla Gorge had a large planned burn for this season for hazard reduction … with those tyres in the deep ravine it was unwise to burn," Mr Job said. "It's quite a large fire risk — 200 tyres going up in one single location would put a lot of toxic smoke up and is, obviously, horrible for the environment." The tyres will be sent to a recycler for processing. Banana Shire Council Mayor Nev Ferrier said the dumping was unacceptable. "It's just disgraceful," he said. "Whoever did this clearly has no regard for the land, our national parks, or the people who care for them. "The Isla Gorge is one of the most beautiful parts of our region and to see it treated like this is heartbreaking." People can report illegal dumping to the Department of Environment or their local council.
