Beach fence causes upset

THE Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has fenced off a section of beach at Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island stating rehabilitation as their reason.

THE Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has fenced off a section of beach at Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island, stating rehabilitation works to protect the area as the reason.

However, local conservationists said the beach had been ruined and turned into a fenced-off garden.

QPWS Great Sandy regional manager Ross Belcher said large numbers of visitors to the area have had a high impact. "This is a necessary action to manage a growing number of tourists who visit Lake McKenzie," Mr Belcher told ABC radio.

"It's just to cater for a very valuable natural resource on Fraser Island that was being, in short, loved to death."

Mr Belcher said the works, which included tree planting, were essential.

"It would be great if we could restore Lake McKenzie back to its natural state, but to do that we'd have to stop people visiting it," he said.

"It's a standard park response to an area that was being degraded."

He said over time the fence may be removed when revegetated.

Originally published as Beach fence causes upset