Partygoers turn beauty spot on North Head into garbage tip’ after full moon party
A push is on to dob in thoughtless revellers who are turning an environmentally sensitive spot, on the northern beaches, into a garbage tip after illegal outdoor parties.
Manly
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Another incident of thoughtless partygoers leaving piles of disgusting refuse behind after an illegal late night rave at an environmentally sensitive beauty spot on the northern beaches has sparked calls for the culprits to be dobbed in.
Regular users of a bush walking trail on North Head were left sickened, again, after discovering empty beer and spirit containers, as well as cigarette butts scattered across the Old Quarry Swamp.
Among the debris was cans and bottles shoved into the foliage of native shrubs and empty pre-mixed whiskey drink bottles thrown into the swamp water.
The boozed-up revellers even lit a large fire as part of the festivities.
The swamp, which has recently received life-giving rain, is home to species of frogs, birds and reptiles within the Sydney Harbour National Park. It is close to the Shelly Beach to North Head Sanctuary trail.
It follows a number of other similar incidents on North Head this year including an illegal birthday party in January where piles of rubbish were left behind at the swamp.
Again, in July, partygoers left behind smashed beer bottles, cigarettes, tables and a gazebo as well as human faeces at the Old Quarry Swamp.
Then in late July the Manly Daily reported that empty beer cans, drug paraphernalia, suitcases, electronics, sleeping bags and even a yoga mat, as well as general rubbish, were dumped over a large area on North Head just up from the Shelly Beach car park.
Resident Ronia Bourke, who took the photographs of the discarded debris from last weekend’s party, said she was concerned that it appeared to be young adults, and possibly under age drinkers, lighting fires and using drugs and alcohol, near the edge of a cliff.
“(This is) in a sacred national park that’s also an endangered species area.
“And not to mention Covid that this age group is responsible for spreading with the highest infection rate and minimal symptoms.
“There is clearly zero care for their environment, their safety and the community.
“I want to know how the community can safely set up a watch at both ends of the track on the full moon weekends.
“This has to stop completely before it escalates into a myriad of possible outcomes none of us want.”
State Liberal MP for Manly James Griffin said he was incredibly disappointed to see further damage done to the sensitive North Head bushland.
“This mindless damage is totally unacceptable,” Mr Griffin said.
“I can confirm that NSW Police are already working with National Parks to investigate previous damage, and I will ensure this incident is also referred to help catch the culprits.”
Mr Griffin strongly encouraged residents to report suspicious behaviour, either to the Manly Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service said it was also extremely disappointed to be told of the illgegal party at the Old Quarry Swamp.
NPWS officers went to the site today and thanked the locals for their quick action in reporting the incident and assisting with the clean up.
“Illegal parties such as this which included a campfire invariably affect the natural environment which is known habitat for an endangered population of long nosed bandicoots,” a spokesman said.
“We want people to enjoy these beautiful natural areas but to leave them as they found them and it is simply environmental vandalism to leave them in the state they did.
“We would encourage the community to report any illegal activity to the local police and NPWS.”