Minor impact on Teewah camping zone due to landslips

Published Wednesday, 20 December, 2017 at 10:00 AM

Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

For camper safety, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has fenced off some areas along Teewah Beach in the Cooloola Recreation Area north of Noosa to safeguard visitors against rocks dislodging from the sand dunes.

Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch said the Teewah Beach camping zone would still have capacity for 2200 campers.

“We want to keep the beach open and ensure campers can still enjoy Teewah over the Christmas holiday period,” Ms Enoch said.

“Large boulders of ferricrete and cemented sand had rolled down some of the foredunes in the area in recent months.

“Teewah is a dynamic, natural landscape that is constantly changing. The dislodgements are due to natural erosion processes, as well as people climbing or digging in the high dunes.

“QPWS engaged a geotechnical company to assess the areas and advise on minimising the risks to our visitors.

“The interim geotechnical report identified 11 separate areas over 1.3 kilometres of the beach camping zone where there were potential risks. The report recommended QPWS modify camping access to minimise the risk,” she said.

QPWS Principal Ranger Ross Belcher said the camping zone extended for 15 kilometres of beachfront, so the modifications would be barely noticeable.

“We have put in some minor restrictions. The impacted areas have been marked off by fencing and safety signs,” Mr Belcher said

“Visitors are required to stay outside the marked areas or risk a fine. Please do not enter these areas, as a dislodged rock could cause serious injury or death.

“We recommend people do not climb on the dunes and ask them to keep children off the dunes and out of high-risk areas.

“Observe all signage and barriers and directions from rangers, and do not enter closed areas. Your safety is our concern but your responsibility,” he said.

More information about Cooloola: npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/cooloola

ENDS
MEDIA: Ben Doyle 0437 859 987