A POPULAR Riverland tourist destination was damaged by campers over the long weekend, prompting a local council to threaten offenders with fines.
Four-wheel drives caused damage to native vegetation around Barmera’s Lake Bonney, including in areas blocked by a wire fence that had been cut to gain access to the lake.
Berri Barmera Council CEO Karyn Burton said the behaviour of some campers was disappointing, particularly with the council working to preserve the area through the Lake Bonney Caring for Country Management Plan.
“The fencing is about restricting vehicle access for those reasons, so the fact they cut the fence and just drive through shows a disrespect and disregard for what the people of Barmera want around that lake,” she said.
“You get the irresponsible people who do these sorts of things, and it just ruins it for everybody else and makes the whole area there not a good place to be.
“It’s obvious to most people if there is a fence that you can’t go that way…
“I think most residents of Barmera are pretty annoyed by that sort of behaviour down there.”
Ms Burton said signage would be used to remind lake users of their responsibilities, and allow for council to punish people who fail to comply.
“We are in the process of putting signs around the lake which will give us the ability – if we catch people – to expiate people for any breaches,” she said.
“What we’re trying to get people to understand is… the cultural significance of the lake and the work we are putting in to make sure the environment is preserved.
“We will still be allowing camping access points… people are not going to be blocked right off.
“There will be designated camping areas, but it is all about maintaining the environment we have down there for future use.
“The signage also gives us the ability to take things a little bit further and fine people for their disregard, because people can’t say that they didn’t know.”
The council also reported littering and damage to native vegetation by campers around Lake Bonney over the summer school holiday period.
Council is calling on campers to respect the cultural significance of the area, take home rubbish and stick to camping access points.