By JONATHON HOWARD
AN ADDITIONAL waste transfer station is being considered for the Noosa North Shore by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) in an attempt to address excessive rubbish concerns.
Noosa residents have echoed concerns from local councillors following the G20 long weekend in which the Noosa North Shore up to Double Island Point was left a “complete mess” by campers dumping their rubbish and human waste in the sand dunes.
A QPWS spokesperson said a number of people had since been fined, but the State Government body said it would not be implementing a secondary toilet block or temporary toilets during peak holiday periods.
Instead the QPWS spokesperson said the responsibility was with the individual to “do the right thing”.
“QPWS offers a number of camping options from a bush camping experience with no facilities to modern camping options which have flushing toilets and hot showers,” a QPWS spokesperson said.
“People need to plan their trip to ensure the camping site will meet their needs and take responsibility for appropriate hygiene practices in remote settings.”
He said toilets were provided at the Freshwater campground and near Double Island Point, and visitors using other sections of the beach were advised to bring portable toilets with them and “dispose of toilet waste responsibly”.
However, several clean up volunteers said loaded portable toilets were now being left behind and authorities do not know who is responsible.
Several Noosa residents have backed calls for camp goers to check-in digitally or for the introduction of registered sites in order to track offenders.
QPWS provides a portable toilet waste dump facility at Freshwater as well as waste transfer stations along the Teewah Beach camping zone and at Freshwater.
“An additional facility in the Noosa North Shore area is being considered,” the QPWS spokesperson said.
“Infrastructure options are not a guaranteed solution in such an expansive area and people need to take responsibility for hygiene.”
“While it is difficult to identify perpetrators who leave human waste behind, a large number of people have been fined for littering.”
GIVE US YOUR THOUGHTS: Do you think the State Government is doing enough to address littering concerns on the Noosa North Shore? Email letters or comments to newsdesk@noosatoday.net.au.
