Walking in the National Parks within the Southern Highlands, Gordon Markwart has found countless items of rubbish including barbecues and makeshift beds.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Wingecarribee Shire councillor is now calling on the state government to take better care of its National Parks and led the charge at the February 14 council meeting, moving a motion to write to the Premier and state ministers.
A keen bushwalker, Cr Markwart said the state of National Parks within the shire’s borders was deteriorating - mainly due to a restructure in 2015 which reduced the number of National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff.
“They lost so many experienced staff and have never recovered,” he said.
Cr Markwart said he often recovered rubbish on trips in the National Parks and it had become increasingly worse over the past several years.
“[At] Belmore Falls, I drag out barbecues, food scraps and crap and the national parks simply don’t have the resources to police this.
“I think we have to do something. It’s sad to see them (National Parks) being degraded.”'
During his address to council, Cr Markwart quoted from a comment piece written by former NPWS employee Michael McFadyen, published in the Sydney Morning Herald.
In his article, Mr McFadyen said he had “watched and mourned as the NPWS has been squeezed so hard over the past 15 years that every bit of life has been extracted from it.”
“The government and opposition must make a tangible commitment to increase funding and staffing to at least previous levels and make the NPWS a stand-alone department once again.”
Cr Markwart said he was aware of several other councils that were writing similar letters and hoped they would make a difference.
Apart from the environmental impacts, Cr Markwart said the shire depended on its National Parks for employment and its economy.
He received support from all his fellow councillors.
Cr Larry Whipper said he did not believe the letters would have any effect but councils needed to keep trying.
“The environment is suffering - there’s no doubt about it. We’ve at least got to make a noise about it.”
Earlier in the meeting, council voted in favour of becoming part of the Joint Organisation (JO) for the South East and Tablelands state planning region.
Cr Peter Nelson said this was an issue they could take to the (JO) in the hope strength in numbers would result in action.