Rangers fed up handling ‘crappy situation’

Rangers managing some of the nation’s most pristine bushland are fed up with handling a “crappy situation” and have urged visitors to national parks to “stop leaving surprises in the bush”.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers are forced to pick up what people put down during their routine patrols and maintenance work.

The rangers have now asked visitors to bag their human waste, along with personal hygiene products, that could be easily disposed of in rubbish bins.

QPWS ranger in charge Lindie Pasma said people using the bush as their toilet – a potential source of pollution – was prevalent in national parks across central Queensland.

Human waste was often left on beach campsites, freshwater areas and walking trails in the Byfield National Park and sections of the Carnarvon National Park and were regularly cleaned up by rangers.

“We’re asking people to go before they go on a long walk or hike and to protect the natural and cultural values of our parks by cleaning up after themselves,” Ms Pasma said.

“Toilet facilities are provided in many of our camping areas and at the beginning of many of our walking tracks.

“There are usually no facilities on long walks or hikes through our protected areas, and this means when nature calls, people have to go in nature.

“If you’re on a hike, take a small shovel with you because we really want people to bury their waste at least 15cm deep or 50cm deep in sand.

“It helps keep the area clean for all users, reduces the number of flies and doesn’t attract other animals such as dingoes.”

Ms Pasma said most people moved away from walking tracks for privacy reasons but they wanted people to stay away from creeks and rivers, as human waste could pollute water by overland run-off or through soil.

“Where possible, human waste should be bagged along with all personal hygiene products and disposable nappies. They can then be taken from the park for appropriate disposal in rubbish bins,” she said.