Huge clean up effort after environmental vandalism described as 'worst rangers had seen'

Rangers have finished cleaning up vandalism committed at a Gold Coast region grave site, described as among the worst they had seen. SEE THE PHOTOS

Rangers have finished cleaning up environmental vandalism committed at Westray’s Grave site in Lamington National Park, described as among the worst they had seen.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service fined a man $551 earlier this month after he admitted to 13 incidents of environmental vandalism in May. 

The man had carved a rude phrase into a 500-year-old tree, chopped down other trees and damaged the environment with a knife. 

A 10-kilogram staghorn fern and birds nest ferns were used to conceal the damage.  

Repair works completed at Westray's Grave site, Lamington National Park.

Department of Environment and Science ranger in charge Wil Buch said it took several hours to repair the environmental vandalism, which was among the worst rangers had seen. 

“Ranger Jackson had to carry the staghorn fern for 90 minutes up the creek to Westray’s grave site,” Mr Buch said.

“The staghorn fern was used to cover the worst of the environmental vandalism and we used birds nest ferns taken from fallen trees at the site to cover the rest.

“The ferns were fastened to the trees using strapping and screws, and they will eventually fix themselves naturally to the trees.

“I have never had to cover up major damage such as these etchings in the tree, which is a white booyong tree estimated to be about 500 years old.” 

Ranger Jackson and the staghorn

Mr Buch said the palm trees that were damaged had died as the active growing point was removed.

“Thankfully there are plenty of palm trees in the vicinity that will throw their seeds and new trees will naturally grow,” he said. 

Anyone with information about environmental vandalism is urged to call QPWS on 1300 130 372.

Rangers position the ferns on the tree.

Man’s punishment for disgusting message carved into ancient tree - July 14 

A man who carved a rude phrase into a 500-year-old tree and committed other acts of environmental vandalism has been caught by authorities.

The vandal, who admitted to 13 incidents of environmental vandalism at Westray’s Grave site in Lamington National Park, was fined $551 by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

Compliance manager Mike Devery said rangers investigated the vandalism after a member of the public reported it.

“Westray’s Grave site is part of the Stinson plane crash memorial site which this year celebrated the 85th anniversary of the rescue of the survivors,” Mr Devery said.

“The environmental vandalism occurred in May and thankfully we were able to quickly identify the person involved.

“The man admitted to carving a phrase and a series of numbers into a large, buttressed tree which is estimated to be about 500-years old.

“Rangers also found a juvenile piccabeen palm tree and a juvenile walking stick palm had been chopped down, and a number of trees had sustained damage from a knife or machete.

“The Stinson plane crash memorial site is a spiritual place and deliberately damaging trees next to the grave site is like graffitiing a church.”

Mr Devery said the man had apologised, and rangers would now have to find a way to cover the vandalism.

He said people accused of environmental vandalism can face court, depending on the severity of the matter.

“When trees suffer vegetation damage like this, they can take years to recover, and rangers will apply natural raw yogurt to encourage lichen and moss to cover up the vandalism quickly,” Mr Devery said.

“When people cut into tree bark, they break the protective layer which can often result in disease or pests gaining access to the tree, and it can also lead to the tree dying.

“People need to understand that many trees in our national parks are hundreds of years old, and these carvings leave permanent marks.

“Rangers cannot remove the scars, which have a negative impact on the landscape and is something other visitors to the national park do not want to see.”

Anyone with information about environmental vandalism is urged to call QPWS on 1300 130 372.

Follow @Melwhiting