Sandfly Creek Reserve: QPWS fine 4WD, tow company for environmental damage

A tow-truck company and an off-road driver have been whacked with massive fines for alleged environmental damage to a sensitive wetlands near Townsville.

A tow-truck company and an off-road driver have been whacked with massive fines for alleged environmental damage to a sensitive wetlands near Townsville.

In addition to issuing $1437 in fines to both the company and 4WD owner for “extensive environmental damage at Sandfly Creek Reserve,” Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service also fined a man almost $600 for driving an unregistered side-by-side vehicle in the Bowling Green Bay National Park.

QPWS Senior Conservation Officer Craig Dunk said on Wednesday that a 4WD had deliberately driven through the wetland and became “bogged to the axles”.

“They have then contacted a towing company for assistance, and our investigation found the company sent two retrieval vehicles into the reserve.”

Mr Dunk said the company had caused further damage to the wetland trying to find a point to set their winches.

Queensland Police Service breath test the driver of a side-by-side vehicle after a fishing trip near Bowling Green Bay National Park. The man was hit with a $287 penalty infringement notices for driving an unregistered vehicle and for driving off-road in the national park. Picture: Supplied

“When we reviewed drone footage we were dismayed because the extensive environmental damage looks like scars and could take years to recover.”

He thanked a member of the public for a tip-off and said both the towing company and 4WD owner had “admitted to entering the reserve unlawfully”.

Four-wheel-drive vehicles have caused considerable damage to Sandfly Creek Reserve near Townsville. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) said the “extensive environmental damage looks like scars and could take years to recover.” Picture: Supplied

“We issued the driver of the four-wheel-drive and the towing company with $1437 fines, and we make no apologies for that―such areas should not be treated like a four-wheel-drive playground,” he said.

“Towing companies also need to check with QPWS before they attempt to retrieve any vehicles from its lands, as they may require permits for off-road retrievals.”

Four-wheel-drive vehicles have caused considerable damage to Sandfly Creek Reserve near Townsville. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) said the “extensive environmental damage looks like scars and could take years to recover.” Picture: Supplied

Mr Dunk said rangers conduct routine patrols and use covert cameras and drones for compliance purposes, with “members of the community providing another set of eyes”.

The man driving the unregistered side-by-side vehicle to access Bowling Green National Park for a fish was hit with a $287 penalty infringement notice for driving an unregistered vehicle and for driving off-road in the national park.

Anyone with information about unlawful access to protected areas or environmental damage can call 1300 130 372.

Originally published as Sandfly Creek Reserve: QPWS fine 4WD, tow company for environmental damage