Police to monitor Litchfield National Park from now on after ‘disappointing weekend’

POLICE will be back out at Litchfield National Park for the foreseeable future after rangers reported a blatant lack of social distancing in waterholes and full carparks last weekend

A busy Buley Rockhole on Sunday afternoon. Picture: Anthony Galati

POLICE will be back out at Litchfield National Park for the foreseeable future after rangers reported a blatant lack of social distancing in waterholes and full carparks last weekend.

Cops will support NT Parks and Wildlife rangers who were abused and ignored by those flouting COVID-19 restrictions.

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Parks and Wildlife executive director Sally Egan said despite good behaviour during the first weekend parks were open, last weekend was disappointing.

“However after the weekend just gone, we will have police support at our parks over the upcoming weekends and consider increasing compliance enforcement by rangers,” Ms Egan said.

She said closing off Litchfield National Park was a last resort and not something they were looking to do.

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Anthony Galati made the day trip to Buley Rockhole for a dip on Sunday and said the pools were busy.

Other adventure seekers said camping spots were at capacity and full of unruly campers.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said he was “incredibly angry” at the behaviour of people at Litchfield.

“We cannot blame tourists, this is us,” he said.

“What angers me most is being told that people are not only ignoring the directions of park rangers but arguing with them.”

“We do not want Buley becoming shorthand for Bondi we are meant to be better than that.”