The following report was sent to me for inclusion in our Club's monthly magazine. Many forumites who visit Deua and other prisitine areas of NSW will will please that finally NPWS has had success in prosecuting one of those idiots who insist on causing damage and presenting as a risk to other park users. Read and enjoy....the only problem with this is that they didn't name the offender in the press report.
23 April 2004
Moruya man heavily fined and banned from visiting parks after
camp ground incident in
Deua National Park
A 20 year old Moruya man has been heavily fined and banned from visiting a national park for three years after appearing in the Moruya Local Court on charges relating to an incident in
Deua National Park on the far south coast last year.
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The court heard that the man drove recklessly through the Bendethra
Camping Ground, which at the time, contained a large number of campers including children.
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He was charged after members of a four-wheel drive club complained that he had deliberately run down and killed a wombat in the camping ground.
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The man was subsequently charged with a total of ten offences including harming protected fauna, causing damage to the park, driving with unrestrained passengers and other driving offences.
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After appearing in court yesterday he has been ordered to pay more than $3, 000 in fines, court and witness costs as
well as serve 100 hours community service. He has been disqualified from driving for a year and has been placed on a good behaviour bond for three years during which he is banned from visiting a national park.
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The head of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Dr Tony Fleming said today that the severity of the penalties sends a strong message.
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"This man has been heavily penalised for his actions. It sends a clear message that the community will not tolerate this sort of behaviour in a national park.
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"People who behave this way should be aware that we were able to prosecute because of the support and cooperation of members of a responsible four wheel drive club who immediately provided us with information that allowed the NPWS and
Police to take legal action.
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"The NPWS will not hesitate to prosecute people who flout the laws put in place to ensure the protection of the plants and animals within our national parks or who recklessly endanger other visitors, " Dr Fleming said.