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General Category => News Views & Press Releases => Topic started by: Editor on February 14, 2014, 09:19:20 PM
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Rangers thank divers and locals for help at Lake Eacham
13 February 2014 - Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers would like to thank divers and locals who helped clean up the Lake Eacham day-use area after Australia Day celebrators left rubbish in and around the lake.
QPWS Area Manager Andrew Millerd said it was disappointing when anti-social visitors spoiled their local environment for everyone.
“It’s even more disappointing when a beautiful national park is left a mess, on a day when we should be showing our pride in Australia,” Mr Millerd said
“Rangers patrolled the Crater Lakes National Park throughout Australia Day and appealed to visitors to act responsibly with respect to behaviour, rubbish and loud music.
“Rangers issued an infringement notice to a person urinating in public, and Queensland Police attended and dealt with underage drinking.”
Mr Millerd said when rangers returned on the Monday public holiday, the beautiful lake that is the pride of the Atherton Tableland had been left in a mess.
“Rubbish was strewn across the lake foreshore, abandoned flotation toys – some, ironically, displaying Australian flags – were littered across the lake, and alcohol bottles were lying on the lake floor.
“Some locals who regularly walk at the lake chose to help in the cleanup, and visiting divers collected many bags of glass bottles from the lake floor, which will help avoid potential injury to swimmers.
“Thanks to those individuals who did help out. Their support was immensely appreciated by the rangers.
“Sadly, this sort of mess and bad behaviour has happened before, on Australia Day 2012 – and back then, some kind locals also helped clean up this cherished spot.
“We Tablelanders are lucky to have beautiful Lake Eacham in our backyard. It’s also a major drawcard for visitors from around Australia and overseas.
“I urge locals to set a good example, take their rubbish with them and keep Lake Eacham and all our parks pristine,” Mr Millerd said.