Lamington Remote Camping restrictions?

[Pepico]

Hello all,

Does anyone know why using any of the remote camping grounds in Lamington between November and February is not allowed? Is there a good reason I should adhere to this?

Quote:
Limited bush camp sites are available in remote areas of Lamington National Park between February and November. All remote bush camping sites are closed from 1 December to 31 January the following year.

http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/lamin ... mping.html

[Pepico]

OK then, nearly 900 views and no replies, guess no one has a clue.

I find it crazy a government tries to tell me I can't spend a night in nature.. national park or not.. well, problem is if it't not private property it usually is a national park. The American constitution holds the right for every man to carry a firearm.. I think Australia should upkeep the right for every human to spend a night in nature.. we are after all just very smart animals. Or are we? I wonder sometimes.

[gayet]

At a guess it could be weather related:
1. Fire season so very difficult to get out of if a fire broke out. Too many places rangers etc would need to look for people camping in there to warn them to evacuate NOW.
2. Possibility of flooding maybe? Less likely than fire season closures though.

It is part of the nanny state - someone will camp in there, ignore the signs of smoke billowing towards them and then blame Parks for any loss or injury. So if its banned, they have no claim as they were in breach of the regulations anyway.

[Pepico]

At a guess it could be weather related:
1. Fire season so very difficult to get out of if a fire broke out. Too many places rangers etc would need to look for people camping in there to warn them to evacuate NOW.
2. Possibility of flooding maybe? Less likely than fire season closures though.

It is part of the nanny state - someone will camp in there, ignore the signs of smoke billowing towards them and then blame Parks for any loss or injury. So if its banned, they have no claim as they were in breach of the regulations anyway.

Hi Gayet,

I thought of that but all the walks are still open to the public. Just can't stay over night. Also I think temporary closure of the parks overall in case of fire danger would take care of the problem.

I will email them and ask. It's like a bee in my bonnet now.. yikes!

[ULWalkingPhil]

Not up here where I am, Fraser Island tracks have been closed since October, reason given, fire risk. I heard a rumour that they even tried to close nearby national parks but met some stiff opposition and decided against it.

[phan_TOM]

Hi Pepico,

I posted the statement below in another thread a couple of years ago when I was looking into it myself, I think I found it in the management plan for the park.
http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/managing/plans-strategies/pdf/mp005-lamington-np-mgt-plan-2011.pdf

the bush camps are closed from December 1 to January 31 each year to "allow for spelling of the sites during the wet season when they are most vulnerable to impacts from camping, including soil being compacted or eroded, vegetation damaged and litter left in the park"...

Cheers

[Pepico]

Hi Pepico,

I posted the statement below in another thread a couple of years ago when I was looking into it myself, I think I found it in the management plan for the park.
http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/managing/plans-strategies/pdf/mp005-lamington-np-mgt-plan-2011.pdf

the bush camps are closed from December 1 to January 31 each year to "allow for spelling of the sites during the wet season when they are most vulnerable to impacts from camping, including soil being compacted or eroded, vegetation damaged and litter left in the park"...

Cheers

Thank phantom,

Thanks for clarifying. That makes sense and a reason I respect. Will have to find another walk then.. Oh well!

[Pepico]

OK I got a reply... here is the light:


G'day Pepico,

Thank you for your enquiry re the seasonal closure of remote camping areas in Lamington National Park.

I left a voice message on your mobile phone this morning and had hoped to speak with you in person.

This is a long standing arrangement in the interests of both public safety and regeneration of the sites.

High fire dangers with FFDI of > 24 have been common place over the December and January months for several decades in SEQ, with this year being no exception (see fire danger ratings for this week on BOM site or QFRS site)

If a wildfire started in the Lost World, Shipstern or Daves Creek areas this week, anyone in the area would have a difficult time trying to out run or escape the fire on a day of high fire danger, therefore potentially putting peoples lives at risk.

Most wildfires are started by people (see the fact that two of the current wildfires in Tasmania are believed to have started as a result of campfires) and the history of wildfire in Lamington National Park bears testament to this, with most wildfires a direct result of billy and campfires (this is why it is now a fuel stove only area). Lightening and powerlines are the other two common sources of wildfire on the protected area estate.

It makes common sense and is a good risk management strategy to limit bush camping for the two months over December and January for the above reasons and use the period to spell the campsites and allow time for regeneration of the sites.

If it is not hot and dry, it is often quite wet in December and January (see 20111 and 2012 weather data on bom site) and these remote campsites can get quite chopped up and degraded if large numbers of people are using them in wet weather.

We ask you to help us protect this special place and potentially the lives of remote bushwalkers and campers by adhering to the seasonal closure of bush camping sites.

You can make a booking for either February or November if you like the hot conditions for remote bushwalking, but I recommend and prefer the autumn and spring months.

I can be contacted on (07) 55 44 0600 today or my mobile 0448 175 627 if you would like to discuss further

yours sincerely


Wil Buch
QPWS A/Ranger in Charge
Lamington National Park