With Tropical Cyclone Jasper currently impacting protected areas across Queensland, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is pleading with visitors to make safe, sensible decisions these Christmas holidays, and be mindful of changing weather and water conditions.
Rangers are reminding visitors that irresponsible behaviour in Queensland’s recreation areas, national parks and state forests can lead to tragic consequences, despite what they might see on social media.
The dynamic landscapes in Queensland’s national parks are what makes these areas so inviting, but they can also present hazards which make personal safety and responsibility even more important.
In the past two weeks alone, emergency services have been called to serious incidents at Cooloola, K’gari, Bribie Island and Glass House Mountains National Park.
With rangers forming part of the first response to many emergencies in protected areas, they are asking visitors to be aware of their surroundings and their actions, which in some instances can have tragic consequences.
Research from University of New South Wales shows selfie-related injuries have become a public health concern, especially within some of Queensland’s most popular protected areas.
In high-visitation areas including Tamborine, Cooloola and Josephine Falls, QPWS continues to see people unlawfully enter restricted access areas, driving dangerously and risking real consequences including spinal injuries, broken bones and sadly loss of life.
Gold Coast Principal Ranger Omar Bakhach has seen his fair share of dangerous behaviour, and the consequences, at protected areas across Queensland.
He said avoidable tragedies in protected areas take a toll on the rangers and emergency service personnel who respond to these incidents, let alone to the families of loved ones.
“Our protected areas are globally recognised as some of the best outdoor spaces in the world, but there are risks associated with these areas including changing tides, unstable surfaces and rapidly changing waterways,” Principal Ranger Bakhach said.
“Just this week we’ve seen how rapidly conditions can change in our parks, and recently we’ve seen how things can go terribly wrong.
“The recent incidents are a harrowing reminder of what can happen, and have long-lasting impacts on those involved, our rangers and the emergency responders.
“Make sure your time in nature, on our parks, doesn’t come at a cost this summer. Your safety is our concern, but your responsibility.”
UNSW School of Population Health researcher Samuel Cornell said Queensland was a hotspot for selfie-related injuries and dangerous behaviour.
“Queensland is home to some of the most frequently-accessed hazardous areas in Australia, some of which are in QPWS-managed parks,” Mr Cornell said.
“The key thing to remember is that what you see on social media is not reality, and influencers shouldn’t be relied upon for safety information.
“Influencers aren’t there to inform or guide the public, they’re there to generate views and entertain. Just because they survived their selfie doesn’t mean you will.”
Mr Cornell said the best places to go for safety information are the authorities that manage public areas, such as QPWS.
Principal Ranger Bakhach said QPWS have installed plenty of signage and rangers carry out patrols, but they continue to see people taking unnecessary risks and threatening their lives.
“We know social media will be steering a lot of visitation to our parks this summer. Influencers and travellers remind us of all the picture-perfect places to see and capture memories throughout our parks, but it’s important to remember that picture-perfect can change in a flash,” he said.
“Every one of those photos you see online of people in a hazardous area was taken at a risk to themselves, those around them and us. It’s never worth it, and you might not be so lucky.
“Just because you’re on holidays doesn’t mean the law, or the laws of physics, don’t apply. It’s a matter of using common sense, following the rules and listening to directions.”
Aside from the physical risk of injury, these behaviours can also put offenders’ back pockets at risk.
Since the start of the year, QPWS has issued 28 fines for entering restricted access areas and 7 fines for interfering with the safety of a person or others in a national park.
QPWS has also issued fines for a range of motor vehicle offences including 32 fines for failure to properly wear a seatbelt in a motor vehicle or driving with unrestrained passengers and 86 for driving without due care and attention.
Visitors can expect to see rangers in any park at any time, and can be directed to leave a protected area by rangers.
Always check Park Alerts and be mindful of changing weather conditions, and always make safe decisions.
