National Parks

In reply to the Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (17 March 2015).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change):

1. Browns Beach was closed in 1994 whilst an extensive clean-up of accumulated rubbish was undertaken. The sign in question was erected after this clean-up and has been in place for many years. Over the past several years, DEWNR staff have been working to better educate beach fishers using the park on the importance of removing their waste and I understand the situation has improved significantly. DEWNR has received feedback from fishers of Browns Beach which suggests the sign is achieving its purpose.

2. The DEWNR National Parks Code was adopted nearly 20 years ago, and outlines the government policy of educating park visitors to manage and be responsible for their own rubbish.

3. Individual rubbish bins were removed from Innes National Parks in 2008, with a single rubbish collection point retained at Stenhouse Bay. There has been a noticeable reduction in litter accumulating in day visitor areas, campgrounds and roadsides since bins were removed.

4. The removal of individual rubbish bins from parks has been government policy for many years, and the majority of rubbish bins have been progressively removed from parks over this time.