Stockton Campers, National Parks have it wrong

[Geoffwin]

Not targeting Mr Newman, merely an example of the fact that a balanced argument is required, that there are improvements to be made without "locking the gates".

One thing I will say though, Quaddies getting through the scrub when it is quite obviously wired off to reduce damage to the forest.
Many hectares of dunes to play on legally, unfortunately this type of use does not do the recreational use argument any favours whatsoever.

I just read his info again and there is, IMO, no preference given to "lock them out", the information appears strsaight forward and accurate, he provides a number of alternatives and management options and is pretty balanced in his views.

Here is the news release copied from the link above and it also makes no reference to locking anyone out

CAMPING areas along Stockton Beach are being "loved to death" according to the National Parks and Wildlife Service's Mick Murphy, who says the culturally significant site is threatened.
The Hunter Coast area manager said camping in its current form in sections of the Worimi Conservation Lands was unsustainable and changes would needed to protect the dunes from erosion.

His comments follow a recent meeting to discuss the impact camping had on the conservation lands as part of preparation for the area's draft plan of management.

"Basically we had the meeting to determine how to manage recreational use and impact on the land," Mr Murphy said.

"Everyone agrees that camping in its current form can't continue.

"But there has been a value placed on camping and recreational use of the land.

"At the moment there is a 26 kilometre stretch of land that is 100 metres wide from the high-tide mark where people can camp wherever.

"In peak periods you can have around 1000 people camping overnight and 3000 day visitors.

"It's basically a small town out there."

He said options such as managed camping, designated camping areas and capping the number of people that use the recreational area at any given time were being considered.

I do agree that people who do the wrong thing definitely cause restrictions being placed on the majority, so it is in everyones interest to do the right thing. First time that I had heard of a reward system being in place for the removal of glass - glass must have been a major issue for that to have been put in place?

ADMIN - pleased the "reply box" issue is being looked at :-)

[DANBRI]

I can't see how the two issues are linked: Campers leaving rubbish and erosion of dunes, I believe the article to be misleading.

I would like to understand in greater detail how recreational campers errode a natural dune system.

[Mav]

This has more to do with the Port Stephens Shire Councils caravan parks missing out on revenue due to people camping, for basically free, on Stockton beach than it does with eco management of the area imo.

[LC]

Perhaps NPWS should talk to the people who manage Fraser Island - they seem to have a reasonable idea of what they are doing.

Something certainly needs to be done to ensure people dont leave their rubbish on the beach. We have in the past taken friends onto the beach who dont own 4WD's and therefore cant get on to the beach, to show them what a great place it is and we find that we are constantly apologising for other people leaving their rubbish on the beach.

[Redback]

I can't see how the two issues are linked: Campers leaving rubbish and erosion of dunes, I believe the article to be misleading.

I would like to understand in greater detail how recreational campers errode a natural dune system.

I would guess it's to do with those campers driving up and down and playing in the dunes, obviously some are doing damage to the vegetation in some areas.

It may not look like there is vegitation on dunes, just a few bits of grass here and there, which to the average person means nothing and that playing in the dunes is not doing damage, but to the people who know the ecoligy of the dunes, to them they are.

I don't think people realise the amount of field studies done by NPWS in places like this, I can tell you there are a lot and it's not only flora and errosion that is studied.

Baz.

[BigJules]

I would guess it's to do with those campers driving up and down and playing in the dunes, obviously some are doing damage to the vegetation in some areas.

But still, that is drivers, not campers. One's sleeping arrangements seem irrelevant to dune degradation or rubbish disposal.

[Bird]

This has more to do with the Port Stephens Shire Councils caravan parks missing out on revenue due to people camping, for basically free, on Stockton beach than it does with eco management of the area imo.

[DANBRI]

I would guess it's to do with those campers driving up and down and playing in the dunes, obviously some are doing damage to the vegetation in some areas.

It may not look like there is vegitation on dunes, just a few bits of grass here and there, which to the average person means nothing and that playing in the dunes is not doing damage, but to the people who know the ecoligy of the dunes, to them they are.

I don't think people realise the amount of field studies done by NPWS in places like this, I can tell you there are a lot and it's not only flora and errosion that is studied.

Baz.

I've read the EIS (Environmental Impact Statements) for the areas mining - their activity has significant impacts, not camping or even 4wding in comparison.

[Redback]

But still, that is drivers, not campers. One's sleeping arrangements seem irrelevant to dune degradation or rubbish disposal.

I assuming the drivers are campers as well, camped there for the weekend or similar.

Obviously some are doing enough damage for them to notice, it's a no brainer to know that mining is doing the most damage, but if it came down to closing areas off, I'm guessing campers will suffer, I can't see them stopping mining.

Baz.

[Geoffwin]

I can't see how the two issues are linked: Campers leaving rubbish and erosion of dunes, I believe the article to be misleading.

I would like to understand in greater detail how recreational campers errode a natural dune system.

Have a read here.
http://lep.planning.nsw.gov.au/pubDetails.cfm?thistopicid=576&PublicationID=223

I suggest it is a bit more complex than just rubbish and campers though I guess if you accept the figures presented of 1000 camps and 3000 people and only 1% of these did the wrong thing, how easy it would be to cause significant damage to the area.

[Geoffwin]

I've read the EIS (Environmental Impact Statements) for the areas mining - their activity has significant impacts, not camping or even 4wding in comparison.

I agree but it is whether or not there is any legal recourse to prevent the mining?

However, without active management there is nothing to say the impacts over time won't be similar. The impacts of mining are very visible as they happen in a very short period of time. I guess it depends on what sort of environment you want in the area when your grandkids are using that same area?

[LC]

For all those that are interested in attending - the Worimi Conservation Lands' meeting in August will cover the camping issue. Here is the link to their newsletter - see the second page for details!

[Jon]

Have a read here.
http://lep.planning.nsw.gov.au/pubDetails.cfm?thistopicid=576&PublicationID=223

I suggest it is a bit more complex than just rubbish and campers though I guess if you accept the figures presented of 1000 camps and 3000 people and only 1% of these did the wrong thing, how easy it would be to cause significant damage to the area.

Having been there a few times, I can imagine alot more than 3000 on a busy day, although a 1000 camping might be a bit of a stretch.
These numbers could be reasonably close to the mark.