MEDIA STATEMENT: Dune damage declining in Byfield National Park with new program

Dune damage declining in Byfield National Park with new program 

• Ongoing education and compliance programs reduce 4-wheel-drive damage to dunes in National Park.
• National Park Rangers successfully team up with Queensland Police during Easter operation to ensure compliance in Byfield Area.
• The dunes are home to a wide array of unique wildlife, including bettongs, emus and long-nosed bandicoots. 

The Crisafulli Government has invested in a range of programs aimed at educating drivers and visitors to Byfield National Park, north of Yeppoon, about the importance of protecting the area’s famous foreshore sand dunes.  

The ongoing education and compliance program has reduced four-wheel-drive damage to sensitive ecosystems in the dunes, assisting the unique wildlife which calls Byfield National Park home.  

Rangers have found new evidence of emus, phasogales, long-nosed bandicoots, beach stone curlews and bettongs in the dunes. 

During the Easter holidays, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers teamed up with police to focus on visitor education and compliance in the Byfield area. The successful operation resulted in: 

• 22 official warnings for bringing dogs into the national park and two for illegal camping 
• 47 random breath tests, with two positive results
• Four traffic infringement notices
• 12 trespass notices for entering Department of Defence land 

Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Minister for Science and Innovation Andrew Powell said it was important that Byfield National Park could be enjoyed by future generations and that’s why visitors were being educated on the importance of preserving the area. 

“This is great news for our environment, and great news for the visitors who travel from all over the world to visit our National Parks,” said Minister Powell.  

“We know Queenslanders want to do the right thing, and by teaching them about responsible driving and behaviour we are helping to protect our wonderful ecosystems.”  

Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton said the Crisafulli Government was committed to ensuring that visitors were able to experience the best the Yeppoon area had to offer.  

“We are fortunate in the Keppel electorate to have some spectacular National Parks which span from the beach to the rainforest to the bush and it is vital we protect and care for them to maintain these beautiful areas for future generations to enjoy,” said Mr Hutton. 

“We want people visiting our National Parks to enjoy everything they have to offer, so it is important we all care for these areas whether you are driving through, enjoying a day trip or camping.”

Under Labor, National Parks and Protected Areas were neglected with insufficient resources for rangers and community groups working to protect the areas.   

Senior Conservation Officer Craig Dunk said photos and drone footage showed the extend of the environmental damage to the dunes and dunal vegetation.  

“People must understand the unlawfully driving in the dunes can prevent animals from living in their specific habitats, which can alter the entire ecosystem at Byfield National Park,” said Mr Dunk.  

“Seeing those animals, their footprints in sand and capturing them on trail cameras has been amazing and shows our education and compliance program is making a difference.”  

Mr Dunk said most park visitors respected the natural and cultural values of the national park and supported ongoing conservation efforts. 

“It the minority of park visitors that cause the most impact, and we will continue to educate visitors about park regulations and road rules,” he said.  

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Fiona Crawford 0417 700 363  

VISION: Available here. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  

Byfield National Park is one of the most popular central coast tourist attractions: 

• It has eight designated camping areas with a capacity of 549 overnight campers on any one night
• It attracts 30,000 campers annually
• The national park features incredible coastal scenery, including massive sand dunes
• The beach is flanked by rainforest, rugged mountains and picturesque walking trails 

For more information about Byfield National Park, please visit: https://parks.desi.qld.gov.au/parks/byfield