The demand for accommodation at Australia‘s MidCoast has led to illegal camping, ultimately causing garbage to pile up across the region.
MidCoast Council’s Director of Liveable Communities Paul De Szell, highlighted that while they welcome visitors and hope everyone has a great time in the MidCoast, they urge people to ensure they have an accommodation or camping site booking before they come.
“We understand that the large numbers of visitors the region is experiencing are impacting on our local communities, and we are working to ensure we have a balance between a strong visitor economy and the protection of our delicate foreshore environment,” De Szell said.
According to a report, traffic congestion also puts the burden on garbage management contractors and emergency services when they try to access popular areas.
This is the situation for those in the Seal Rocks community who missed the waste collection service for a few days due to vehicles parked in no-stopping zones.
Myall Coast has also seen its fair share of increased tourist numbers during the holiday season.
De Szell added that the council urges visitors to be considerate of residents and bring their trash with them when bins are full.
Council rangers have collaborated with National Parks and Wildlife Service and other authorities during the holiday period to ensure that visitors are secure and that the rules that safeguard the environment are observed.
Our rangers have been focussing on coastal areas from Crowdy Head to Tea Gardens since Christmas, where we have experienced a huge surge in visitors,” De Szell added.
Electronic message boards can be found at problem locations across the region to remind people to follow parking regulations and not park illegally.
Calls from concerned community members have resulted in penalty violation notices being issued, and in certain instances, campers are being moved on.
“After days of issuing penalties, Council will now be towing illegally parked vehicles away,” De Szell said.
Rangers will continue to patrol to ensure the protection of the environment and ensure the local communities’ safety.