National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has removed rubbish bins from Bateau Bay Beach picnic area in Wyrrabalong National Park because it says there was too much rubbish.
Early last year NPWS doubled the number of bins in the picnic area from four to eight in response to more people visiting the Park and the adjacent beach area managed by Central Coast Council.
“Unfortunately this had the opposite effect and the amount of rubbish increased, especially dumped household waste and litter around the bins which was a hazard to local residents, day visitors and the native wildlife,” a NPWS spokesperson said.
“It got to a point where the contracted collection service providers were not able to feasibly undertake collections at this location.
“After much consideration NPWS removed the bins due to excessive cost and problems.”
The bins were removed in October last year and NPWS staff say there is now less litter in the area.
“Litter levels remain low in the area and a lot less compared to when the bins were present,” the spokesperson said.
However, this hasn’t solved the whole problem and “it’s simply bonkers really”, says local resident, Richard Thorley.
“Take your rubbish home I hear you say; yes, I fully agree, and most visitors do, but there often remains a rubbish problem on the beach and nowhere to place rubbish,” he said.
“Bateau Bay beach area has a toilet, picnic tables over three separate areas but there’s no bins for the facility area at all, or nearby.
“The nearest rubbish bin is up the hill at Crackneck Point lookout.
“We often walk to and along the beach and would often pick up rubbish and then put it in the bins at the top carpark/picnic area but the bins there no longer exist.
“Having a bin nearby could encourage visitors to think to deposit rubbish at least and we can keep our beach tidy.
“Please National Parks just put some bins back and help us all keep our park and beach tidy,” Thorley said.
A spokesperson said NPWS acknowledged the great work by local residents helping to keep Wyrrabalong National Park tidy by picking up rubbish.
“We will continue to support these efforts by arranging collections of bagged rubbish that residents collect.
“Previously, NPWS successfully reduced litter issues by removing bins at other locations, including Munmorah State Conservation Area, Bouddi National Park and other parts of Wyrrabalong National Park.
“NPWS is committed to reducing waste in Wyrrabalong National Park’s Bateau Bay Beach picnic area and will continue to regularly maintain this area and remove rubbish.”
The NPWS says that the beach area (as opposed to the picnic area) is Crown Land, managed by Central Coast Council and any report of waste issues should initially be referred to Council by contacting its website at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.
A Council spokesperson said Council had not removed any rubbish bins – “this is a National Parks issue and any further inquiries should be directed to Parks NSW”.
Sue Murray