Fenceline hole blamed for trespassers entering restricted Killarney Glen swim hole
A major flaw has been blamed after a slew of snap-happy Gold Coasters were caught trespassing at a dangerous swim hole closed off to the public.
Gold Coast
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A FENCELINE hole bordering a restricted military area home to a popular Gold Coast swimming spot is copping blame for a slew of “trespassers” at the site.
Both a defence lawyer for a pair of trespassers and the Magistrate who heard their case referred to the fence hole, with the Magistrate saying she was “concerned” by it.
India Anne Watson, 22, of Mermaid Beach, and Max Paul Rayfield, 23 of Ormeau, last month pleaded guilty in Beaudesert Magistrates Court to a charge of unauthorised entry of defence premises after visiting Killarney Glen in the Hinterland on August 11.
Killarney Glen is a photogenic heart-shaped rock pool and falls housed on Australian Defence Force land in the Scenic Rim.
Late last year the Department of Defence closed the falls after a review of safety risks following the drowning of a 19-year-old man in December, 2016.
“I wish they (the Defence Department) would fix their fence,” the couple’s lawyer joked in court, as was reported earlier this month.
He did not wish to comment further on the matter when contacted by the Bulletin.
Magistrate Tracy Mossop dismissed the pair’s case despite the area being permanently closed to the public but told the court at the time she was “a bit concerned” about a hole in the fence.
“There are signs up which say that you can’t enter. Despite the fact that there’s a well-worn track, a hole in the fence, and lots of other people are doing it.
“It would seem the Defence Force have had plenty of opportunity, with these cases coming before the court, to rectify the fencing issue.”
Only a matter of weeks prior, Gold Coast friends Reid Parsons, 22, of Tallai, and Tayla Watson, 24, of Helensvale, alongside Victorian couple Vayda Dainney, 19, and Kai Gelastopoulos, 19, all pleaded guilty to similar charges.
Magistrate Tracy Mossop released them absolutely.
The group were found to have entered the Killarney Glen area on Saturday June 26 this year in pursuit of the perfect insta-worthy shot.
A Defence spokesperson told the Bulletin it was not aware of any unrepaired damage to the fence line surrounding the area.
“Defence undertakes regular inspections of the fence line surrounding the entrance to Killarney Glen and is not aware of any unrepaired fence damage,” they said.
“Any damage to perimeter fencing on Defence bases is quickly identified and promptly repaired.
“Defence has clear signage, an extended fence line and regular patrols to educate and deter unauthorised access by members of the public.”
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