It seems no amount of warning can deter some tourists from flouting a simple campground rule, with many continuing to do the wrong thing while setting up camp across the country.
“Leave no trace” is the message visitors are given when staying at Aussie campgrounds, with councils and other authorities desperately trying to maintain public reserves and outdoor spaces. However, littering and deliberate dumping remains “an ongoing challenge” Yahoo News was told.
The latest incident occurred at a popular camping location in Warroora Coast region in Western Australia. And it’s left some campers fuming.
“This pigsty was left by a family,” a witness shared on Facebook alongside a photo of the mess left behind.
In the photo, several bags of rubbish are accompanied by a deflated tent and a portable toilet lid piled up on the sand. The man claimed “three or more cars” were stationed around the campsite before driving off, leaving behind their rubbish.
Rubbing dumping an ‘ongoing challenge’ across the state
Across the state, “rubbish disposal and dumping is an ongoing challenge for all land and water managers,” a spokesperson for the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) told Yahoo News Australia.
Campers leaving rubbish behind is an ongoing problem across the country. Source: Facebook
“DBCA promotes ‘Leave No Trace’ principles for outdoor recreation, encouraging park users and campers to take their waste with them and dispose of it at home,” they said. “DBCA continues to work on this issue along with local government and other organisations, such as Keep Australia Beautiful WA.”
Most of the state’s parks and campsites have waste disposal facilities for visitors to use. The fine for littering in national parks and marine parks is $200 with a maximum penalty of $2,000.
Campers leaving rubbish labelled ‘scum’ by furious Aussies
In this most recent incident, the man said “some local” took it upon themselves to tidy up. Responding to the mess, others agreed “this type of behaviour is not acceptable” with some labelling it “scum”.
“Sadly, if it’s free campers, it makes us full-time travellers look bad, and is the reason most sites are getting shut down,” one said.
“How hard is it to take your rubbish, you have the room to bring the sh*t, you will have the room to take it away,” another lashed out.
“Maybe rangers should start doing a bit more beach driving and observing people and campsites,” they suggested.
Rubbish dumping a widespread issue
The issue has long riled up many Aussies who have noted similar scenes across the country. Recently, one camper awoke to find his neighbours had absconded in the middle of the night, leaving behind a large tarp, camping gear and bags of rubbish by the Murry River in Victoria.
Meanwhile, one grey nomad travelling with his wife in their campervan through Western Australia lamented the amount of rubbish they see along popular campgrounds and 4WD tracks, saying “there were nowhere near as many people on the road” 20 years ago.
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