National Park peace threatened

By Helena Adeloju
UPPER Yarra’s tourism appeal could be threatened if law enforcement in the National Park is not addressed according to local residents.
Cathy Roberts, whose property backs onto the Yarra Ranges National Park at McMahon’s Creek, said “she has considered moving due to the recklessness.”
Earlier this year the Upper Yarra Region made national headlines with two arrests for illegal possession of explosives and firearms offences and a drug bust in Big Pat’s Creek.
Ms Roberts has had stray bullets passing near her house during the night.
“The Yarra Ranges aren’t a playground for that sort of thing,” Ms Roberts said
“If locals want visitors to Warburton to make the most of this area, we need to ensure that they feel safe.”
Locals point to the lack of law enforcement resources as the reason that hooligans, hoodlums and illegal hunters are wreaking havoc in the hills.
“The National Park Rangers are really under resourced and rely on the police,” Ms Roberts said.
With the closest 24-hour police station “down the line” at Lilydale and the police station at Woods Point about one and a half hours away, the National Park areas of Warburton, Warburton East, Reefton and McMahon’s Creek are night time trouble spots for illegal activities.
Late night noise from illegal deer hunting and motorcycle hoons, general damage and drinking of alcohol as well as alleged illegal crops of cannabis at the National Park are of concern to residents.
Ms Roberts said the public is at risk because of the limited law enforcement resources in the area, especially at night.
Member for the Eastern Victorian Region Edward O’Donohue said “these illegal activities are causing serious concerns amongst locals, and it appears current patrol are not stopping the perpetrators.”
Mr O’Donohue said that more needs to be done to ensure that law and order is returned to the Yarra Ranges National Park so that tourists and resident alike can enjoy its natural beauty.
Parks Victoria Chief Ranger Andy Miller said that Parks Victoria was also alarmed at the number of reported firearm incidents close to residential areas and in the park itself.
He said illegal deer hunting was a “perennial issue” but there were some legal areas to hunt deer in the Yarra Valley.
“The sound from a rifle shot can travel long distances in the valley,” Mr Miller said.
He said Parks Victoria worked closely with DSE officers and police to manage and respond to illegal activities.
“Rangers undertake regular patrols of all our areas,” Mr Miller said.
He rejected claims that there were not enough rangers to man the parks.
“Ranger numbers have remained consistent over a number of years and are adequate to manage the parks and respond to incidents as required.”