K’gari dingo fines: Only 27 people fined despite spate of incidents

Rangers have fined just 27 people for dangerously interacting with wild dingoes on K’gari in the past five years, despite a spike in the number of high-profile serious incidents.

Rangers have fined just 27 people for dangerously interacting with wild dingoes on K’gari in the past five years, despite a spike in the number of high-profile serious incidents – and a promised state government crackdown.

More than 30 high-risk interactions between humans and dingoes – also known as wongari – have occurred this year, including a 23-year-old woman being chased into the ocean, an attack on a six-year-old girl, and a 10-year-old boy being dragged under water.

There have also been dozens more threatening incidents, with three animals on the island euthanised.

But data from the state environment department shows just 27 people have been fined since 2018 – for a total of about $53,000.

Most recently people have been stung more than $2000 for disturbing dingoes in the wild and for the unauthorised feeding of the dangerous animals.

Environment Minister Leanne Linard said collectively 107 fines valued at $86,000 had been issued in the past five years, including for failing to deter dingo interactions such as by not keeping food secure.

But she said fines were a last resort, with rangers taking an education-first approach.

“Because of the threat posed by the wongari, there are laws in place to stop people feeding and interacting with them,” she said.

Tourists observe a dingo on K’gari.

“Rangers have the power to issue fines, some of which are already substantial,” she said.

But Opposition environment spokesman Sam O’Connor said the low number of fines dished out over the last five years was “staggering”, given the number of high-profile incidents and the hundreds of thousands of tourists who flock to the island every year.

“This was meant to be a high-profile crackdown by the state government after a number of concerning incidents, but they clearly haven’t followed through with proper enforcement action,” he said.

“Once again, the media attention goes away and Labor don’t follow through.

“Videos of reckless actions have been widely reported, but the Environment Minister just has her head in the sand.”

Ms Linard said the state government was investing more money to support enhanced community safety, including an extra $2m this year and $3m each year ongoing.

“The additional funding will support the employment of 10 additional rangers who will increase face-to-face engagement and compliance activity with tourists and locals, as well as enhanced management and monitoring of wongari that exhibit threatening and high-risk behaviour,” she said.

“The funding will also support new and enhanced safety messaging.

“The government will continue to take the advice of traditional owners and our rangers on any additional measures required to protect the community.”

Originally published as K’gari dingo fines: Only 27 people fined despite spate of incidents