Vandals dampen the campfire spark with illegal firewood collection
The Island can offer many amazing places to pitch a tent and camp out in an unspoilt, natural environment, but illegal firewood collection can really dampen the campfire spark.
Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Ranger, Adele MacPhee, said illegal firewood collection has caused damage to native vegetation at the popular Southern Antechamber Bay, Chapman River campsite, within Lashmar Conservation Park.
“Native vegetation is protected and it is illegal to collect firewood from any tree, dead or alive, in a park,” Ms MacPhee said.
“We have seen damage to live trees and shrubs, caused by the use of chainsaws, hand-saws and axes and smaller branches and bark have been stripped from living Paperbark trees.”
Ms MacPhee said that with 35 species of birds and many other species living in and using the Chapman River estuary, it’s very important that we continue to protect the intact vegetation for the continued health of the estuary and its catchment-coast-ocean connection.
“Not only is this damaging the important estuarine habitat within Lashmar Conservation Park but it is also destroying the natural privacy buffers, shelter and shade that campers seek.
“In addition, possession of a chainsaw within Kangaroo Island National and Conservation Parks and Wilderness Protection areas is not permitted.”
The Southern Antechamber Bay at Chapman River is the only area where campers are still able to use wood fires within regulations under the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Country Fire Service Acts.
Ms MacPhee said that campers at Lashmar Conservation Park are required to supply their own firewood and campfires are only permitted in the designated fire pits provided.
Most visitors are doing the right thing but sadly a small minority are compromising this unique experience.”
Please report any illegal incidents to Natural Resources Kangaroo Island on 08 8553 4444.
To find out more about the pristine campsites within Kangaroo Island’s National and Conservation Parks, please visit the natural resources KI website at http://www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ki/home or call into the natural resources centre at 37 Dauncey Street, Kingscote.
