Fed up with illegal camping and antisocial behaviour in north coast nature reserves, former Greens MLC Ian Cohen is offering a $500 reward ‘to the best candid shot of someone shitting in the bush.’
He told The Echo that he needs the vehicle registration of offenders too, so it can be followed up by authorities.
‘Broken Head locals are now taking details of illegal camping and reporting registrations to Council,’ he said.
‘Also, dogs in the reserves are being photographed and sent to NPWS, along with their owners’ car registrations.’
Cohen says he has had meetings with Inspector Greg Jago of Tweed-Byron Local Area Command, Council staff, National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and locals ‘who are appalled by antisocial behaviour in our nature reserves.’
‘We have assurances from authorities that ranger and police activities will be upgraded.
‘Along our coast, our iconic national parks are being abused with illegal camping parking, which blocks emergency access.
‘Speeding on dirt roads is also extremely dangerous given the roads cannot cope with the impact.’
As Broken Head Protection Committee director, Cohen says, ‘Speeding traffic is going to cause havoc with kids on bicycles over the holiday break.’
‘This is a plea to authorities and the public to take action and report particularly belligerent drivers who place the public and wildlife in danger. The public must also act against this vandalism.’
• Ian Cohen’s contact is [email protected]
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