Angry anglers have spoken out this week about “inconsiderate people” dumping their rubbish near lakes in the Central Highlands.
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They claim to be “dead tired” of cleaning up trash left at camp sites and they have every right to be outraged.
Vandalism should not be condoned in any part of the world or under any circumstance and should in fact be condemned, particularly when it involves destroying our natural habitats.
The Central Highlands itself is home to many lakes, including the Great Lake, and is an iconic location for local, interstate and international anglers.
Tens of thousands of those anglers visit the lakes each year, particularly during trout season.
Outside of the season, the region hosts an annual Trout Weekend which again invites thousands to explore its waterways.
On top of this, our lakes and rivers will be put under a global spotlight in 2019 when Tasmania hosts the World Fly Fishing Championships.
Tasmania’s brand is all about clean and green and our goals to increase visitor numbers has been no secret.
But just how clean and green will those visitors think Tasmania is when they visit places like the lakes and find rusty cars and ironing boards dumped in the bush?
Professional fishing guide and lakes local, Ken Orr, told The Examiner volunteers had been cleaning up rubbish in the area for the past 17 years.
Mr Orr was one of a group of locals who discovered the destruction at Lake Echo last week.
Not only did they spend hours carting trailer loads of furniture and trash away from the site, they found interpretation signs damaged and an emergency beacon stolen.
The fishing community has called for more policing, however, the state’s police claim to already have a regular presence in the lakes region.
So the question is, who is accountable?
Yes it is important to monitor these areas, but there is a point where people need to take on some of the responsibility.
In this case, the onus falls back on those using the lakes.
The camp sites are free and offer a pristine wilderness getaway to anyone lucky enough to visit the region.
Those who do not respect the area simply do not deserve to be there.
The lakes are to be enjoyed, not destroyed.
Melissa Mobbs
A journalist with more than a decade of experience, Melissa Mobbs currently works as the Deputy Editor for The Examiner Newspaper in Launceston, and has a strong background in reporting on crime and the justice system. Send tips to Melissa.Mobbs@examiner.com.au or on Twitter via @melissamobbs.
A journalist with more than a decade of experience, Melissa Mobbs currently works as the Deputy Editor for The Examiner Newspaper in Launceston, and has a strong background in reporting on crime and the justice system. Send tips to Melissa.Mobbs@examiner.com.au or on Twitter via @melissamobbs.
