Photos of iconic outback 4WD crossing highlight 'appalling' trend
Ivanhoe Crossing in WA is loved among 4WD enthusiasts, but there's one issue taking over the pristine site.
As more and more travellers flock to the great outdoors in 4WDs and caravans, a disappointing trend is starting to emerge. Photos of a Coles bag full of empty alcohol cans and broken glass beside an iconic 4WD track, Ivanhoe Crossing in rural Western Australia, have highlighted the ongoing problem of litter in Australia's stunning outback.
The disappointing sight was shared by local resident Erik who has called on the local council to do better. "This behaviour by selfish people is really appalling," he told Yahoo News Australia, adding that it's "not just at that spot, all the countryside is like this. I would like to see a stronger response from the local [council]."
However due to the remote location and the presence of saltwater crocodiles, the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley council told Yahoo that while it takes the problem of littering "very seriously", the threat of crocs poses a unique challenge.
Where is Ivanhoe Crossing?
Originally part of the main road between Kununurra and Wyndham, Ivanhoe Crossing is a concrete causeway built over the stunning Ord River.
The river remains in flow year-round and 4WD enthusiasts are well known to cross the river much like the Northern Territory's Cahills Crossing. The spot, about 13km from the town of Kununurra, is popular among anglers too with the crossing making a great spot to catch barramundi.
Problem of littering around outback Australia
It's not the first time local residents and travellers have been called out for littering in Australia's most stunning locations.
A fed-up Aussie tour guide working in a remote part of the country's far north has pleaded with travellers to clean up after themselves, after he and a crew of more than a dozen volunteers filled "nine trailer loads full and well-packed" with rubbish and items discarded by campers passing through.
Elsewhere in WA, grey nomad Frank Schouten was travelling the iconic 4WD track the Gibb River Road when he spotted a similarly disappointing sight.
“It’s like a calling card — right in front of you there’s all this junk,” Mr Schouten told Yahoo News Australia, sharing a photo he took last year of rubbish pouring out of the top of a small metal bin at the road’s western entry point.
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Council responds to littering images
The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley told Yahoo it takes the issue of litter and unauthorised access to Ivanhoe Crossing "very seriously" and says it issues fines of up to $500 for breaking the rules.
"We have prominent signage along both sides of the crossing to raise awareness of the potential dangers and to encourage safe and responsible behaviour," a spokesperson told Yahoo.
Council said it has three large easily accessible bins at the crossing and rangers routinely visit the crossing to collect rubbish and empty the bins, where it is safe to do so, "recognising that some areas pose significant crocodile risks".
"We remind the public that littering can lead to fines under the Litter Act 1979, ranging from $200 to $500 depending on the nature of the waste," it said. "The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions (DBCA) has warned that crocodiles pose an ever-present danger in this area.
"We urge everyone to respect these warnings, not only to protect themselves but also to preserve the natural environment and safety for all users."
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